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How did the Tokugawa take control of Japan by AD 1603?
This timeline highlights the major events in the transition from Ashikaga Shogunate to Tokugawa (1336-1603 CE/AD)
What was Ieyasu Tokugawa's role in the transition from Ashikaga Shogunate to Tokugawa Shogunate?
Ieyasu Tokugawa's role in the transition from Ashikawa to Tokugawa power was as a successful military leader because he was determined to have power and control by acquiring land and winning battles. For example, in 1600AD he won the battle of Sekigahara, which was when he established the Tokugawa Shogunate and gained power. His overrule concluded the Azuchi Momoyama period. In addition, in the Battle of Anegawa in 1570, together Oda Nobunaga and Ieyasu defeated Azai and Asakura Clans. This evidence displays how Ieyasu's role was a successful military leader and director. In comparison to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, another military leader, Ieyasu is a great success, because Toyotomi attempted twice to invade Korea and failed both times, in 1592 and then later in 1597. The historian, Ian Keese quotes "the Ashikaga shogunate officially came to an end in 1603 when the warlord Tokugawa Ieyasu was named shogun by the emperor," which proves that Ieyasu was a warlord who was favoured by the emperor to be the leader. Ieyasu must have acquired much power to be selected by the emperor to be in the powerful position of the leading shogun.
Image of Ieyasu Tokugawa