Sejarah Jepang : Sengoku Jidai / Sengoku Period - The Onin War

Summary

This video delves into Japan's Sengoku period, spanning from 1467 to 1603, a time of intense conflict and power struggles among warlords. The script discusses the rise of powerful clans like the Hosokawa, Takeda, and Imagawa, as well as the concept of 'Gokujō'—ordinary individuals gaining power. Key historical events, such as the rise of Oda Nobunaga, his assassination, and Toyotomi Hideyoshi's consolidation of power, are highlighted. The video also covers the critical Battle of Sekigahara, marking the end of the Sengoku era and the beginning of the Tokugawa Shogunate, which lasted until the Meiji Restoration in 1868.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Sengoku period (1467-1477) began due to economic pressure and power struggles between Shogun families in Japan.
• 😀 The conflict between eastern forces led by the Hosokawa clan and western forces led by the Yamana clan marked the start of the Sengoku era.
• 😀 This power struggle weakened the control of the imperial family, creating a power vacuum and leading to the rise of powerful clans like Takeda and Imagawa.
• 😀 The term 'Gokujō' refers to a social phenomenon where lower-ranked individuals, often from humble backgrounds, rose to power.
• 😀 A prominent example of Gokujō is the rise of Hōjō clan members, who gained control of Kanto and later fell to Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
• 😀 Over time, several powerful clans like Hosokawa, Miyoshi, and Oda were displaced by others with greater competence.
• 😀 Religious groups, like Buddhist monks from the Tendai sect, also played a role in the Sengoku period, mobilizing peasants for revolts.
• 😀 Oda Nobunaga, a powerful daimyo, unified much of Japan but was assassinated in 1582, halting his dream of total unification.
• 😀 After Nobunaga's death, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a former ashigaru, succeeded him, consolidating power and stabilizing Japan.
• 😀 Following Hideyoshi's death in 1598, Tokugawa Ieyasu emerged as a key player, eventually defeating Toyotomi forces in the Battle of Sekigahara (1600), which ended the Sengoku period and led to the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Q & A

What historical period does the script discuss?

The script discusses the Sengoku period, also known as the Sengoku Jidai, which took place from 1467 to 1477 in Japan.

What were the main causes of the Sengoku period's conflict?

The main causes were economic pressure and the struggle for power among the Shoguns, leading to a long-lasting civil conflict across Japan.

Who were the two primary opposing sides in the conflict at the beginning of the Sengoku period?

The two primary opposing sides were the Eastern forces led by the Hosokawa family and their allies, and the Western forces led by the Yamana family.

How long did the initial conflict of the Sengoku period last?

The initial conflict lasted for about eleven years, centered around the Kyoto region, before spreading to other provinces.

What major effect did the conflict have on Japan's central authority?

The conflict weakened the control of the imperial court, which led to the emergence of powerful regional clans, known as 'daimyōs', filling the power vacuum.

What is the term 'Geiko' (Gokujo) and how does it relate to the Sengoku period?

'Geiko' refers to the social phenomenon where lower-ranking individuals or clans with lesser status rose to power due to their competence and strategic alliances.

What is an example of a successful 'Geiko' during the Sengoku period?

An example is Hōjō Ujitsuna, a man of humble origins, who managed to seize power in the Kanto region in 1493, eventually becoming the ruler there.

How did religious groups influence the Sengoku period?

Religious groups, especially Buddhist sects, played a role by uniting peasants and encouraging revolts against the established daimyōs, helping to destabilize the feudal order.

What significant event ended Oda Nobunaga's efforts to unify Japan?

Oda Nobunaga's efforts were abruptly ended when he was betrayed and killed by his general, Akechi Mitsuhide, during the Honno-ji Incident in 1582.

Who succeeded Oda Nobunaga after his death, and what was his background?

Toyotomi Hideyoshi succeeded Oda Nobunaga. Initially an ashigaru (foot soldier), Hideyoshi rose to become a trusted general and consolidated power after Nobunaga's death.

What major battle took place in 1600, and what was its significance?

The Battle of Sekigahara in 1600 was a crucial conflict that ended Toyotomi's rule and paved the way for Tokugawa Ieyasu to establish the Tokugawa Shogunate, the last feudal government of Japan.

How did the Tokugawa Shogunate impact Japan's future?

The Tokugawa Shogunate established a long period of stability and peace, lasting until the Meiji Restoration in 1868, which marked the end of feudal rule in Japan.