The Essential traveler's Guide To Japan

The Great Peace

 

• In 1500, Japan was not a united country like the modern nation of Japan. It consisted of about 250 small regions, all under the rule of an emperor, but each region was under the control of a daimyo.

• The daimyo's were constantly at war with each other, trying to increase their holding of power. Although the emperor was considered the supreme ruler, the real power and authority were with the shoguns.

• Three shotguns were given credit for bringing Japan to peace: Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa leyasu. The great peace was a time when Japan was not at war with itself and it lasted for 264 years.