58 Toyotomi Hideyoshi (an omission) As a reward for putting down Mitsuhide, the Imperial Court rewarded Hideyoshi by appointing him to the fifth court rank and naming him shoushou (minor captain of the guard). After the defeat of Shibata Katsuie, he was made a sangi (royal advisor). In the 12th year of Tenshou (1584), he was promoted to the lower third court rank and made gondainagon (suoernumerary major counsellor). The next year he was promoted again, to upper second court rank, and named naidaijin (minister of the center); but almost immediately he was again promoted to lower first court rank and raised to the office of kanpaku (regent). Then in the 14th year of Tenshou (1586), as both kanpaku and dajou-daijin (chancellor) he was given the surname "Toyotomi" (meaning "bountiful minister") to accompany his great gloties. Nobunaga's ideals of national dominance with an imperial mandate now were to continue under Hideyohi, who would bring them to fruition. (an omission) The last remaining large problem in Kyuushuu that Hideyoshi had to deal with was the issue of banning the Christians. On the 19th day of the 6th month of the 15th year of Tenshou (1587), he issued a proclamation. The first article read: "Japan is the land of the gods. Diffusion here of a pernicious doctrine from 'Kirishitan' (Christian) countries is extremely undesirable." The second article of the proclamation said that actions such as leading astray (i.e., converting) powerful lords and having them destroy Buddhist temples or Shintou shrines was cutrageous and something previoesly unhead of; it was against Japanese policy, and such things would not be tolerated. The third banned from Japan the missionaries who had been interfering in domestic policies, and forbade further missionaries to come, giving those in Japan twenty days to leave the country. The fourth and fifth articles stated that those who were not involved with missionary work - traders and the like - would be allowed to come and go freely. Hideyoshi, having seen that the face of Japan was changing and that there were many Christians daimyou in Kyuushuu - starting with the Ohtomo, Arima, and Ohmura - came to this extremely important decision and issued this proclamation. (an omission) In that two and half years, he had given thought to how to deal with Touhoku and the Kantou, but he had concentrated his energies on peaceful pastimes, claming the hearts of the people he governed. First there was the Grand Tea Ceremony of Kitano, planned for the 1st throuth 10th of the 10th month of the 15th year of the Tenshou (1587), weather permitting. Hideyoshi wanted to show all his treasures, so he invited all connoiseurs of tea no matter how high or low to attend. All they would need to bring was a pot, a water container, something to drink from, and two tatami (as it was to be held outdoors in the Kyouto suburb of Kitano). Hideyoshi issued a directive that those felt unsure about coming and thus failed to do so should never again drink tea. It i said that some 800 small tea houses dotted the pine field in Kitano. Second was the Imperial visitation to Jurakudai. The year before, Hideyoshi had begun construction on a truly splendid residence in Kyouto's Uchino district, and it was completed in the 9th month of the 15th year of Tenshou (1587). He called it "Jurakudai" - the Palace of Assembled Delights. Like Nobunaga before him, Hideyoshi revered the Imperial house, so when construction was finished he asked for the Emperor to pay a visit to it. On the 14th of the 4th month of the 16th year of Tenshou (1588), on the occasion of Emperor Go-Youzei's visit, the regent Hideyoshi personally accompanied the Emperor on his progress and he himself held the Emperor's train. Many Court aristocrats were also in attendence, and several daimyou also joined the retinue. All had paid great attention to their dress and appearance, and all who assembled to watch it were thrilled. It was originally planned for three days, but the Emperor was having such a good time he extended his visit to five days. Hideyoshi was deeply overjoyed by this. In addition to making a gift of land to the Imperial Household, Hideyoshi gave orders to ten daimyou - including Oda Nobukatsu, Tokugawa Ieyasu, Ukita Hideie, and Maeda Toshiie - to never forget to feel gratitude for the Imperial favors, and extracted a firm oath that they would always defend the Imperial lands. Hideyoshi often said, "After Yoritomo comes me." Given that he had overcome and conquered through military might, he revered the Emperor, and he exerted strict order and loyalty in the military, it can truly be said that he ranks beside Yoritomo as one of the two greats. In the Higashiyama area of Kyouto, Hideyoshi had build the temple Houkouji, and therein erected of a large statue of the Buddha. In the 7th month of the 16th year of Tenshou (1588), for the construction of the Buddha Hall to house the statue, he issued the Sword Hunt Edict. The edict stated that "the farmers of all province are strictly forbidden to have in their possession any swords, short swords, bows, lances, arquebuses, of other types of weapons." Peasants were to restrict their activities to their obligations of cultivating the land, and he said that the weapons would not be wasted but would be turned into cramping irons and nails to construct the Hall, thus having weapons would be harmful but giving them up would be good for their souls. (an omission) From this point to Hideyoshi's death eight years later, the greatest issue was the sending of troops overseas. In Japan, there were very few places to be won, but in Korea there were many troubles - for both sides it was unfortunate. Hideyoshi was an excellent warrior, yes, but his greatest skills were demonstrated in his battles against Akechi Mitsuhide and Shibata Katsuie; but in his later years his life was in some disorder and his judgement went a bit off track. Previously, we saw the sad example of how, when he had run out of strong opponents, Nobunaga grew careless and lost his life; this time, however, with Hideyoshi, it was haughtiness that grew instead. At the height of their prosperity, people should exercise discretion, but when Hideyoshi was growing in pride and he lost his sense of discretion, unfortunately he sent troops abroad.

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