12094 (community total) + 114 (my reviews) = 12208
12 Likes
12208 (community total) + 41 (my reviews) = 12249
11 Likes
12249 (community total) + 11 (my reviews) = 12260
13 Likes
12260 (community total) + 138 (my reviews) = 12398
13 Likes
12260 (community total) + 21 (my reviews) = 12419
12 Likes
12419 (community total) + 40 (my reviews) = 12459
12 Likes
12459 (community total) + 33 (my reviews) = 12492
10 Likes
12492 (community total) + 92 (my reviews) = 12584
11 Likes
Day 4 !
12584 (community total) + 17 (my reviews) = 12601
10 Likes
12601(community total) + 31 (my reviews) = 12632
10 Likes
12632(community total) + 31 (my reviews) = 12663
10 Likes
12663 + 21 = 12684
11 Likes
12684 (community total) + 53 (my reviews) = 12737
10 Likes
12737 (Community total) + 28 (my reviews) = 12765
About 35 years in: ~1598
Over the last 6 years Toyotomi Hideyoshi had waged two campaigns in Korea, the Imjin wars, and been beaten back twice. After essentially gaining full control of Japan around 1591, Toyotomi was worried what bored soldiers and military leaders would do with no battles to be fought, and felt his newly won control would be lost unless he gave them something to focus on. Having no heir, also meant he wanted something to leave behind as the Toyotomi legacy and ensure his clan stays in control. Thus he went with invading another country, which he got the idea from Oda Nobunaga who mentioned it as a possibility in the future. The first invasion went well due to the poorly prepared and equipped Korean army, and nearly the whole country was briefly under Japapnese control, however with the arrival of the Chinese army, they were beaten back and fled home. The second invasion was not as nearly successful, the Korean Army was much better prepared this time and had support from the Chinese. The far superior Naval capability of the Korean army was a large factor in stopping both invasions, and in cutting supplies to the grounded troops.
After finally having an heir of his own (and casting aside his adopted son!) during the Korean invasions, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the Second great unifier, died in 1598. He created a council to watch over his son until he came of age to ensure the Toyotomi continued to rule. The council was also supposed to ensure its members kept each other in check, so that one didn’t grow too powerful over the other, which is why he specifically placed his greatest rival and threat, Tokugawa Ieyasu on the council. However, Ieyasu was already the most powerful on the council and due to his geographical position and need to keep the East in check during the Imjin wars, his army was unaffected by the 2 failed campaigns into Korea, leaving him with a much stronger military presence. You can see what’s going to happen next!
17 Likes
12765 (community total) + 146 (my reviews) = 12911
12 Likes
12911 (community total) + 12 (my reviews) = 12923
11 Likes
12923 (community total) + 14 (last few days of reviews) = 12937
11 Likes
12937 (community total) + 30 (my reviews) = 12967
11 Likes
12976 (community total) + 25 (my reviews) = 12992
13 Likes
12992 (community total) + 61 (my reviews) = 13053
11 Likes