Azuchi-Momoyama Period (1568ce-1600ce)
	Azuchi-Momoyama Man			Azuchi-Momoyama Woman
	Typical Azuchi-Momoyama Do-Maru Armor		Typical Azuchi-Momoyama Tatami-Do Armor	Typical Azuchi-Momoyama Aka-Gosoku Armor
In 1559ce, Oda Nobunaga gained control over the province of Owari (modern day Nagoya) and succeeded in capturing the city of Kyoto.  He was also very keen on the idea of unifying Japan.  After establishing himself in the city, he continued to eliminate his enemies.  Among his numerous enemies were the Ikko sect of Buddhism, which had become very powerful in many provinces.  His fight with the Ikko Sect continued until 1580.  Other enemies included Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin, both of which died long before Nobunaga was able to defeat them.  Nobunaga did defeat Takeda Shingen in the Battle of Nagashino in 1575ce.    In 1582ce Nobunaga was defeated by General Akechi who also captured Azuchi Castle.  One of Nobunaga's Generals, Toyotomi Hideyoshi reacted quickly to Nobunaga's death and defeated General Akechi and took control of Nobunaga's lands.  Toyotomi Hideyoshi continued to eliminate any remaining rivals and he managed to subdue the northern provinces and the island of Shikoku in 1583ce, and the island of Kyushu in 1587ce.  In 1590ce, Hideyoshi defeated the Hojo family and Japan was finally reunited.    But, in order for Hideyoshi to bring the country of Japan under complete control, he destroyed many castles, he confiscated the weapons of all the farmers and religious institutions, he forbade the Samurai to be active as farmers, and he forced the Samurai to move into the castle towns he controlled.  He believed that a clear distinction between the social classes would increase the government's control over the people.  Hideyoshi also had a land survey done, which started in 1583, and  a census done in 1590ce.  His castle, Osaka Castle, was also completed in 1590ce.   In 1587ce, Hideyoshi expelled all Christian missionaries.  In 1593ce, Franciscans were able to enter the country of Japan and Jesuits (as the Franciscans were named) remained active in western Japan.  In 1597ce, Hideyoshi intensified his persecution of Christian missionaries, forbade further conversions, and executed 26 Franciscans as a warning.     After unifying Japan, Hideyoshi set his sights on China and in 1592ce his armies invaded Korea and captured the city of Seoul.  However, his armies were pushed back by the Chinese and Korean armies and in 1598 Hideyoshi's armies were sent back to Japan in defeat.  Shortly thereafter, Hideyoshi died.  Tokugawa Ieyasu succeeded Hideyoshi.
References: http://www.iz2.or.jp/english/fukusyoku/busou/38.htm http://www.iz2.or.jp/english/fukusyoku/busou/37.htm http://www.iz2.or.jp/english/fukusyoku/busou/17.htm http://www.iz2.or.jp/english/fukusyoku/busou/7.htm http://www.iz2.or.jp/english/fukusyoku/busou/4 http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2123.html