Introduction
Born a peasant and mocked as a “monkey”, he is one man who accumulated numerous legends and achievements, ultimately ascending to become the ruler of Japan. Toyotomi Hideyoshi achieved an unprecedented rise to power in Japanese history. This article explores his deep connection with Nagoya, the city where he was born and raised.
A scene depicting Hideyoshi’s birth. There is a legend that his mother had a dream in which the sun entered her body. From “Ehon Taikoki”, preserved at the National Institute of Japanese Literature
The Origins of the Unifier Hideyoshi: Legends and Mysteries
When it comes to Hideyoshi’s origins, little is known for certain. Even the place of his birth remains uncertain, though it is generally associated with Nakamura in Aichi County, Owari Province. In Nakamura Park in Nakamura Ward, Nagoya City, you can find a monument called “Birthplace of Toyotomi Hideyoshi”. This park is considered one of the likely places of his birth. However, just east of Nakamura Park is the Josenji Temple of the Nichiren sect, which is also said to be Hideyoshi’s birthplace, and it houses remains like the “Myojin-no-hiiragi” (a holly tree supposedly planted by Hideyoshi) and a well where he was bathed after birth.
Erected in the Meiji era. A shrine dedicated to Hideyoshi, called the Toyokoku Shrine, was also established to the west of this monument.
It’s worth noting that Nakamura is further divided into Upper Nakamura, Middle Nakamura, and Lower Nakamura. The exact location remains a subject of debate. According to the “Taiko Soseiki”, which was created in the early Edo period, Hideyoshi’s birthplace is identified as Middle Nakamura. This corresponds roughly to the present-day Nakamura-Nakamachi in Nakamura Ward, Nagoya, a bit farther away from Nakamura Park.
A shrine where Hideyoshi’s mother prayed for a safe childbirth. It is also said to have been founded by the renowned military commander Minamoto no Tameyoshi in the Heian period. Photo by Masayuki Ota
Hideyoshi’s father is commonly known as Kinoshita Yaemon. However, during that time, peasants were divided into two classes: those with surnames (half-farmer, half-samurai) and those without. Considering that the “Kinoshita” surname was associated with Hideyoshi’s wife’s family, it’s highly likely that Hideyoshi’s father did not have a surname. Additionally, Hideyoshi’s origins have long been shrouded in mystery, with some theories suggesting he belonged to the lowest social class due to descriptions like “mysterious child” in Toyokuni’s “Toyokuni”. However, it’s important to note that “mysterious” in this context likely means that his origin was unclear. Thus, Hideyoshi’s true origins have remained an enigma.
A bronze statue depicting Hideyoshi in Nakamura Park, believed to represent his mischievous childhood days, was created by Ryoji Ishiguro, the former president of Nagoya Zokei University.
Wandering, Service, Return, and Meeting with His Lifelong Benefactor, Nobunaga
Hideyoshi’s father, Yaemon, passed away due to injuries sustained on the battlefield in the 12th year of Tenbun (1543) when Hideyoshi was only seven years old. As a result, Hideyoshi’s mother, Omandokoro, married Chikuama, a retainer of the father of Oda Nobunaga, Oda Nobuhide. However, Hideyoshi didn’t get along with his stepfather, Chikuama. According to the “Taiko Soseiki”, at the age of eight, Hideyoshi was sent to Homyo-ji Temple in Owari Province, but he was later expelled. In the 20th year of Tenbun (1551), at the age of 15, Hideyoshi left Owari and traveled eastward along the Tokaido, selling needles that he had bought in Kiyosu Castle.
During this time, Owari Province was witnessing a power struggle between Oda Nobunaga, who controlled Nagoya Castle, and Oda Nobutomo, who held Kiyosu Castle. Nobunaga had a reputation as a “fool”, which led Hideyoshi to believe that serving under the powerful Imagawa clan in Suruga Province, particularly under Imagawa Yoshimoto, might be more advantageous. Hideyoshi, who had reached Totomi Province, was taken into the service of Matashiro Matsushita, a retainer of Totomi’s Imagawa clan. In this context, Matsushita was one of the Imagawa clan’s vassals. During his service with the Matsushita clan, Hideyoshi gained recognition, but he also faced jealousy and harassment from his colleagues. His lord, Matashiro Matsushita, witnessed these events and gave Hideyoshi some money before sending him back to his hometown of Nakamura in Owari Province.
Their love marriage was unusual for the time. Nene was a caring wife who paid great attention to Hideyoshi’s subordinates. From “Ehon Taikoki”, preserved at the National Institute of Japanese Literature
At the age of 18, Hideyoshi returned to his hometown and, in 1546 (Tenbun 23), at the young age of 21, he entered the service of Oda Nobunaga. According to “Taikō Sōseiki”, Hideyoshi was recommended to Nobunaga by two individuals, a man known as “Ichiwaka” and “Ganmaku”, who was the head of small-fry servants. These small-fry servants were also referred to as “komonos” and were responsible for various tasks for the samurai. Their status was lower than that of intermediate servants who took care of their lords’ daily needs, placing them at the lowest rung of the samurai retainers’ hierarchy. Hideyoshi entered Nobunaga’s service under the command of Ganmaku, which means that he started his career at the very bottom. During this period, Hideyoshi was just one of the small-fry servants to Nobunaga. Nobunaga did not have any particular expectations for Hideyoshi at this time. It is believed that Nobunaga began to take notice of Hideyoshi when he warmed Nobunaga’s cold straw sandals (zori) in his bosom while performing the duties of a “zori tori” (straw sandal bearer) when Nobunaga was outside. However, it’s worth noting that this is an anecdote from the “Ehon Taikōki” and may not be historically accurate. Nevertheless, Hideyoshi likely displayed resourcefulness even in his role as a small-fry servant.
Hideyoshi’s Ascent to Prominence
In the year following Hideyoshi’s entry into Nobunaga’s service, in 1547 (Tenbun 24), Nobunaga defeated Oda Nobuyuki, the deputy governor of Owari Province, and made Kiyosu Castle his base. During his time at Kiyosu Castle, Hideyoshi continued to rise through the ranks and was eventually appointed as a “fushinbugyō” (construction commissioner). There is a famous anecdote that remains about Hideyoshi during his time at Kiyosu Castle. When the walls of Kiyosu Castle collapsed, Hideyoshi divided the reconstruction into ten parts and held a competition among the workers, which allowed them to complete a 100 ken (approximately 180 meters) wall efficiently.
In 1560 (Eiroku 3), Hideyoshi likely participated in the Battle of Okehazama, although there are no records from that time to confirm his presence. Hideyoshi’s significant recorded actions began in 1561 (Eiroku 4) during the Mino Campaign, which was more formally launched in 1562 (Eiroku 5). During this campaign, Hideyoshi primarily engaged in diplomatic efforts to gain the support of local warlords in the border areas of Mino Province. By isolating Saito Ryuko (Saito Tatsuoki), the lord of Inabayama Castle (later Gifu Castle), Nobunaga was able to exile him and successfully subjugate Mino Province. Hideyoshi’s role in these events contributed to his rising importance within the Oda clan.
Hideyoshi continued to distinguish himself during the campaign to control the capital region (Kyoto) and played a role in the pacification of Kinai (the five provinces surrounding Kyoto and Nara). After the downfall of Asai Nagamasa in northern Omi (present-day Shiga Prefecture), Hideyoshi was rewarded with Nagamasa’s former territories. Furthermore, Hideyoshi was tasked with the campaign to pacify the Chugoku region (western Honshu), further solidifying his position as a key retainer.
As a commoner, Hideyoshi did not have hereditary vassals. Instead, he relied on his younger brother, Hidenaga, as his right-hand man. Although their father is believed to have been the same Yauemon as Hideyoshi’s, it is unclear, and some theories suggest that he may have been Chikuzen’s stepfather, Chikuami. While sibling rivalries were common during the Sengoku period, Hidenaga served as a loyal aide to his older brother. Additionally, Hideyoshi extended opportunities to his relatives through strategic marriages, such as with Fukushima Masanori, Kato Kiyomasa, and members of his wife’s family, the Kinoshita clan, including Ieyasada and Katsutoshi. This strategy contributed to creating a network of individuals from Owari Province who surrounded Hideyoshi.
This shrine dedicated to Hideyoshi was founded in the Meiji era (1868-1912) by Renpei Kunisada, a prefectural governor who was concerned about the devastation of Nakamura, Nagoya, Hideyoshi’s hometown. It is still revered by the local people today.
Hideyoshi’s Deep Connection to Nagoya
Hideyoshi, who climbed the ranks of the Oda clan and eventually became a preeminent figure, maintained a connection to Nagoya throughout his life.
The shrine received donations not only from Hideyoshi, but also from his son Hideyori and the Tokugawa vassal Ii family.
An important place that will not be forgotten until the end of his life.
Owari, Hideyoshi’s hometown, became the domain of Nobunaga’s second son, Nobuo (Nobukatsu), at the Kiyosu Conference following the Honnoji Incident. In 1584, Hideyoshi fought the combined forces of Nobuo Oda and Ieyasu Tokugawa in the Battle of Komaki-Nagakute, and first ordered Tsuneoki Ikeda of Mino to capture Inuyama Castle, located at a strategic point on the Nobi border. He promised to give Ikeda Tsuneoki the whole country of Owari after capturing Inuyama Castle, but Ikeda Tsuneoki was defeated by Ieyasu at Nagakute and died in battle. The battle of Komaki-Nagakute ended with the peace between Hideyoshi, Nobuo, and Ieyasu.
Owari was then maintained as Nobuo’s fiefdom, a situation that Hideyoshi must have been unwilling to accept. During the Odawara offensive in Tensho 18, Hideyoshi ordered Nobuo to go to the Kanto region as well, and entrusted the defense of Kiyosu Castle and Hoshizaki Castle to Kobayakawa Takakage. Kobayakawa Takakage was the son of Mori Motonari and the uncle of Mori Terumoto. Although they were originally enemies, he was heavily used under the Toyotomi regime and was later chosen as one of the Five Grand Councilors.
After Odawara was subdued, Hideyoshi granted Owari to his nephew Hidetsugu instead of Nobuo, who refused to transfer the territory. Whatever the reason, Hideyoshi probably wanted to expel Nobuo from Owari. Since Tensho 19, Hideyoshi has often visited Kiyosu in Owari for falconry.
It is undeniable that falconry had an aspect of inspection. However, in his later years, when his health failed and he could no longer go falconry, Hideyoshi ordered birds from Owari. Eating birds from his hometown must have been Hideyoshi’s pleasure.
Hideyoshi also made donations to temples and shrines in Owari, including Tsushima Shrine, and his son Hideyori, who was worried about Hideyoshi’s failing health, prayed at Tsushima Shrine for his recovery. For Hideyoshi, Owari remained his unforgettable hometown until the end of his life.
Historic Spots Remaining in Nagoya
Josenji Temple, where “Ho-Taiko’s Sacred Well” still remains
In the precincts of Josenji Temple, there remains a well where Hideyoshi is said to have bathed in the waters of childbirth, and a holly tree that is said to have been planted by Hideyoshi.
47 Kishitoyashiki, Nakamura-cho, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya City
Hideyoshi Kiyomasa Memorial Museum, which honors two major warlords related to Hideyoshi
The museum collects and exhibits historical materials related to Hideyoshi Toyotomi and Kiyomasa Kato, warlords of Nakamura, Hideyoshi’s hometown.
25 Chanoki, Nakamura-cho, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya City
Hinomiya Shrine, the origin of Hiyoshimaru
Knowned as Hiyoshigongen, from which the name Hiyoshimaru is derived. It is said that Daijosho visited the shrine to pray for a child to be born.
1 Hinomiya-cho, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya City
Photo/Masayuki Ota
Otorii, a landmark of Nagoya
The Otorii (Grand Gate) of Toyokuni Shrine. At approximately 24 meters high, it is as large as the torii at Heian Shrine in Kyoto.
1 Torii Nishidori, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya City
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