Battle of Sekigahara
Sekigahara / Aonogahara Mino Province, present-day Gifu Prefecture, Japan
What happened
Tokugawa Ieyasu led the Eastern Army against the Western Army of Ishida Mitsunari, who fought in the name of the young heir Toyotomi Hideyori; Western commander Kobayakawa Hideaki changed sides during the battle. When the ruler Toyotomi Hideyoshi died in 1598, leaving a young son, Japan's powerful lords split into two sides. At dawn on 21 October 1600, thick fog made the two armies stumble into each other at Sekigahara. The fighting was even until Kobayakawa Hideaki and other Western commanders switched sides and attacked their own allies, and the Western Army collapsed.
Why it matters
Result: Eastern army victory. Leaders: Ishida Mitsunari / Ukita Hideie against Tokugawa Ieyasu / Ii Naomasa. Why it matters: The victory made Tokugawa Ieyasu the most powerful man in Japan. His family went on to rule Japan for more than 250 years.
What came next
Ishida Mitsunari was captured in November. Ieyasu was appointed shogun in 1603, and the Tokugawa shogunate ruled Japan until 1868.
Did you know?
Ieyasu's army reportedly used cannons taken from a Dutch ship, the De Liefde, as field artillery.
Timeline
- 1598 CEToyotomi Hideyoshi dies, leaving a child heir.
- 21 October 1600 CEIeyasu wins the Battle of Sekigahara.
- 1603 CEIeyasu is appointed shogun.
- 1868 CETokugawa rule ends.