As if in a dream · "Chrysanthemum and the Sword" in the Warring States period of Japan

Author: Chi Jun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: In 1592, just after unifying the Warring States period of Japan, the feudal lord Toyotomi Hideyoshi launched a brutal invasion of Korea, as a stepping stone to attack China. The war lasted until 1598. Due to the heroic resistance of the Chinese and Korean people, the Japanese suffered heavy losses, and Toyotomi Hideyoshi died of grief and frustration, ordering the entire army to retreat. The war brought profound disaster to the Korean people, while the Ming Dynasty of China, which sent troops to aid Korea at the request of the Joseon Dynasty, also sacrificed a large number of outstanding sons and daughters. This war was called "Bunroku and Keichō Campaign" by Japan and "Imjin Wokrye" by Korea. Toyotomi Hideyoshi's invasion of Korea was the inevitable result of the temporary end of the Warring States period, when local feudal lords still held heavy armies and were in a semi-independent state, urgently needing to export war to divert domestic conflicts. It was also Japan's first large-scale overseas campaign after emerging from its small island nation. To understand the root cause of this bloody and tragic chapter and to serve as a eternal warning, one must learn about the Warring States period of Japan in the 15th and 16th centuries—this book provides a detailed account of this special era. The history of the Warring States period, marked by feudal lords' dominance, rival heroes, and relentless warfare, along with the artistry of culture, military, politics, and more that emerged from the chaos, shook later generations and will continue to cleanse their hearts.