Last Updated:

2024-04-24 03:59:15

Sengoku period

Period of civil wars in 15th-16th century Japan.

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Period of civil wars in 15th-16th century Japan.

The Sengoku period in Japan saw continuous civil wars and social upheavals. It marked the rise of local powers, the decline of the Ashikaga shogunate, and the rebellion against feudal lords. Samurai rose to power, including figures like Hōjō Sōun and Uesugi Kenshin. Notable individuals like Toyotomi Hideyoshi emerged, leading to the restoration of central government by Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Oda Nobunaga Tokugawa Ieyasu Meiji Restoration Second Sino-Japanese War Toyotomi Hideyoshi Shibusawa Eiichi Akebono Tarō Russo-Japanese War Ming Dynasty Sejong the Great

1000

Formation of Ikkō-ikki in Kaga Province

Well-organized religious groups, including the monks of the Buddhist True Pure Land sect, formed the Ikkō-ikki in Kaga Province around the year 1000. These groups united farmers in resistance against the rule of daimyōs.

1338

Establishment of the Northern Court under Ashikaga Shogunate

In 1338, the northern court, supporting the shogun Ashikaga, emerged as a rival to the southern court, leading to a split in the political landscape of Japan during the Sengoku period.

1428

Ashikaga Yoshinori Becomes 6th Shogun

In 1428, Ashikaga Yoshinori became the 6th shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate through a lottery system. His reign was marked by instability and his eventual assassination during the Kakitsu Rebellion, leading to further decline of the shogunate's influence.

1441

Assassination of Yoshinori Ashikaga

Yoshinori Ashikaga, a successor of the shogun Ashikaga, was assassinated in 1441 during the Sengoku period, leading to further instability in the region.

1454

Kyōtoku Incident

The Kyōtoku Incident in 1454 is one of the events generally chosen as the start date of the Sengoku period in Japanese history. It marked the beginning of civil wars and social upheavals that characterized the era.

1467

Onin War

The Onin War started in 1467 as a result of infighting between provincial governors within the Ashikaga shogunate, leading to a period of internal conflict and weakening of central authority.

1477

End of the Sengoku War

By the end of the Sengoku War in 1477, most of the leading samurai families engaged in extreme violence, including burning temples, ransacking shops, and massacring hostages. The conflict had escalated to the countryside due to the destruction of central control and the devastation of Kyoto.

1493

Meiō Incident

The Meiō Incident in 1493 is also considered as a possible starting point of the Sengoku period. It marked a period of turmoil and upheaval in Japanese history, leading to the rise of local powers and the decline of central authority.

1500

Noble Myth-making in the Sengoku Period

During the Sengoku period, despite treachery and ignoble acts being common, there was a significant development of noble myth-making. This myth-making contributed to the romanticization and idealization of certain aspects of the era.

1517

Battle of Arita-Nakaide

Mōri Motonari defeated the Aki-Takeda clan with a small force, setting the stage for his future successes.

1525

Mōri clan allegiance switch

Mōri Motonari changed the allegiance of the Mōri clan from the Amago to the Ōuchi clan, altering the power dynamics in the Chūgoku region.

1527

Battle of Katsuragawa

Hosokawa Harumoto, with the help of Miyoshi Motonaga, defeated Takakuni at the Battle of Katsuragawa in 1527, leading to Takakuni's expulsion from Kyoto and the destruction of the authority of the Kanrei.

1531

Daimotsu kuzure

In 1531, Hosokawa Takakuni allied with Uragami Muramune and fought against Hosokawa Harumoto in the Daimotsu kuzure war, but was defeated.

1532

Ikkō-ikki against Miyoshi Motonaga

Hosokawa Harumoto alienated Miyoshi Motonaga by seducing the Ikkō-shū into an Ikkō-ikki against Motonaga, resulting in Motonaga's death in 1532.

1541

Siege of Koriyama

Mōri Motonari destroyed the Aki-Takeda clan at the Siege of Koriyama, further expanding his influence in the region.

1543

Introduction of Tanegashima gun in Japan

The Portuguese introduced the matchlock gun to Japan in 1543, which was then improved and mass-produced locally, leading to the use of the tanegashima gun in wars.

1546

Siege of Kawagoe Castle

Hōjō Ujiyasu defeated Uesugi Tomosada at the Siege of Kawagoe Castle, leading to the establishment of Later Hōjō clan's dominance in the Kantō region.

1547

Battle of Shari-ji

In 1547, Miyoshi Nagayoshi defeated the 12th shogun, Ashikaga Yoshiharu, and Hosokawa Ujitusna in the Battle of Shari-ji, further weakening the Ashikaga Shogunate.

1549

Establishment of Miyoshi clan control over Kyoto

In 1549, Miyoshi Nagayoshi expelled Hosokawa Harumoto, Ashikaga Yoshiharu, and his son Ashikaga Yoshiteru from Kyoto, establishing control over the Kyoto area.

1551

Unification of Echigo by Uesugi Kenshin

Uesugi Kenshin successfully unified Echigo Province, solidifying his power base for future conquests.

1555

Battle of Itsukushima

Mōri Motonari defeated Sue Harukata at the Battle of Itsukushima, solidifying his control over the Ōuchi clan.

1560

Battle of Okehazama

The Battle of Okehazama in 1560 was a significant victory for Oda Nobunaga, one of the powerful generals in the late 16th Century Japan. This battle marked Nobunaga's assertion of influence in South Central Honshu.

1561

Siege of Odawara

Uesugi Kenshin cornered the Later Hōjō clan at the Siege of Odawara, showcasing his military prowess.

1567

Siege of Gassantoda Castle

Mōri Motonari destroyed the Amago clan at the Siege of Gassantoda Castle, further consolidating his power in the Chūgoku region.

1568

Oda Nobunaga's March on Kyoto

In 1568, Oda Nobunaga's march on Kyoto is seen as a significant event that marked the later part of the Sengoku period. It symbolized the shift in power dynamics and the rise of prominent figures in Japanese history.

1570

Territories of the Sengoku Daimyo

In 1570, the territories of the Sengoku daimyo were at the center of power struggles and conflicts in Japan during the Sengoku period, a time of intense warfare and political instability.

1571

Death of Mōri Motonari

Mōri Motonari passed away at the age of 75, marking the end of an era for the Mōri clan.

1573

Honda Tadakatsu reporting to Tokugawa Ieyasu

In 1573, Honda Tadakatsu, a loyal general, kneels before Tokugawa Ieyasu to report his latest battle. This event showcases the military hierarchy and loyalty during the Sengoku period in Japan.

1575

Battle of Nagashino

Oda Nobunaga defeated Takeda Katsuyori at the Battle of Nagashino in 1575, showcasing the strategic use of firearms in warfare during the Sengoku period.

1578

Death of Uesugi Kenshin

Uesugi Kenshin passed away at the age of 49, leaving a significant impact on the power dynamics of the Sengoku period.

1582

Honnō-ji Incident

Oda Nobunaga was betrayed by his vassal Akechi Mitsuhide, leading to his suicide in the Honnō-ji Incident of 1582, marking a significant turning point in the Sengoku period.

1583

Construction of Osaka Castle

Hideyoshi began the construction of Osaka Castle in 1583, a significant stronghold that played a key role in his future endeavors.

1587

Kyūshū Campaign

Hideyoshi defeated the Shimazu clan in a Kyūshū campaign in 1587, further expanding his control and pacifying the Kyūshū region.

1589

Conquest of Tōhoku region

Date Masamune continued to expand his territory and conquer most of the Tōhoku region after defeating the Ashina clan in 1589.

1590

Unification of Japan

Hideyoshi forced the clans of the Tōhoku region to swear allegiance to him in 1590, finally achieving the unification of Japan after years of conflict.

1598

Reunification of Japan

The reunification of Japan around 1598 marked the end of the Sengoku period, bringing an end to the century-long political upheaval and civil war in the country.

1600-10-21

Battle of Sekigahara

On October 21, 1600, the Battle of Sekigahara took place between Ishida Mitsunari's Western Army and Tokugawa Ieyasu's Eastern Army. Mitsunari faced betrayal from several generals, including Kobayakawa Hideaki, leading to his defeat, capture, and execution.

1638

Suppression of the Shimabara Rebellion

The suppression of the Shimabara Rebellion in 1638 is one of the events marking the end of the Sengoku period. It signified the consolidation of power and the beginning of the Edo period in Japan.

End of the Timeline
Sengoku period