One of the most significant figures in Japanese history, Ieyasu was a warrior, statesman and founder of the Tokugawa dynasty of shoguns. Tokugawa Ieyasu was born Matsudaira Takechiyo in 1542, son of the lord of the province of Mikawa. At the time of his birth, Japan was convulsed by civil war, with violent feuds between territorial lords which had lasted for nearly a century. When he was four Ieyasu was sent as a hostage to secure an alliance between his clan and the neighbouring Imagawa clan. He was raised at their court and given the education suitable for a nobleman. In 1567 Ieyasu, whose father's death had left him as leader of the Matsudaira, allied with Oda Nobunaga, a powerful neighbour. It was at this time that he changed his name from Matsudaira to Tokugawa, which was the name of the area from which his family originated. He also changed his personal name to Ieyasu, so he was now known as Tokugawa Ieyasu. Ieyasu spent the next decade-and-a-half campaigning with Nobunaga while expanding his own influence and wealth. He had by now gained a considerable military reputation.
When Nobunaga was assassinated in 1582, Tokugawa Ieyasu acquired more territory, and allied with Nobunaga's successor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Hideyoshi sent Ieyasu to govern lands in the east of Japan, attempting to contain his growing independence. Ieyasu made his headquarters at the small port of Edo (where Tokyo now stands). When Hideyoshi died campaigning in Korea, Ieyasu became one of the guardians of his young son. The leading military figures in Japan now began to scheme against each other and civil war again broke out. Another of the advisers appointed by Hideyoshi was Ishisa Mitsunari, and it was he who formed the Western Army against Ieyasu. In 1600 Ieyasu defeated the Western Army in the decisive battle of Sekigahara, thereby achieving supremacy in Japan. In 1603 Emperor Go-Yozei, ruler only in name, gave Ieyasu the historic title of shogun (military governor) to confirm his pre-eminence. Japan was now united under Ieyasu's control. He worked hard to restore stability to Japan and encouraged foreign trade, which included the exchange of gifts with James I of England and other European rulers. It was only later, under Ieyasu's successors, that Japan effectively isolated itself from foreign contact. Ieyasu died on 17 April 1616. He was later deified and his mausoleum at Nikko became one of the most important shrines in Japan.
by ♫ Highway to Hell ♫ July 24, 2011
Get the Tokugawa Ieyasu mug.Kagome Higurashi, after being pulled down a well by a demon, finds herself in Feudal Japan, where she learns that a powerful jewel has been reborn inside her body. After the sacred jewel shatters in an attempt to retrieve it from one of the many demons who was after its power, Kagome must join forces with the half-demon Inuyasha (also after the jewel's power) to track down the shards of the jewel before its power falls into the wrong hands.
Half-human, half-demon, Inuyasha desires the Shikon Jewel for his own questionable purposes. He possesses his father's sword, Tetsusaiga, which enables him to defeat powerful opponents.
by ♫ Highway to Hell ♫ August 22, 2010
Get the Inuyasha mug.The Kusari-gama is a combination of a sickle (short scythe) and a long chain with a weight attached to the end of it. The sickle was used in a slashing or stabbing motion, as well as used to block and hook opponents weapons. By holding the chain portion of the weapon, the sickle could be swung around to get a greater reach with it.
The chain portion of the Kusari-gama was most often used for trapping an enemy or his weapon. Once tangled up with the chain, the ninja could finish him off with the sickle. This was a weapon the ninja invented out of farming tools they used.
by ♫ Highway to Hell ♫ July 15, 2011
Get the Kusari-gama mug.by ♫ Highway to Hell ♫ August 04, 2010
Get the Poseidon mug.There were Greek festivals in honor of Dionysus and a theater of Dionysus in Athens. The terms Apollo and Dionysus are juxtaposed as contrasts or conflicts – restraint and reason vs. license; this concept was later written about by the German philosopher Friedich Nietzsche (1844-1900).
by ♫ Highway to Hell ♫ August 04, 2010
Get the Dionysus mug.Paradigm City is a place without a past. 40 years ago, something happened that wiped away the memories of everyone in it. Unfortunately, the people of Paradigm City were very busy before then, making Megadueses (giant robots) and monsters. People who were born after the memory wipe are gaining/recovering memories of the past and using them to build newer threats. Roger Smith keeps Paradigm City safe with the help of The Big O (a faithful giant robot), his butler Norman, and the android Dorothy. As problems mount and more memories surface, Roger's past and Paradigm's future begin to become suspect.
by ♫ Highway to Hell ♫ September 10, 2010
Get the Big O mug.A Japanese art movement that flourished from the 17th to the 19th century. It produced paintings and prints depicting the everyday life and interests of the common people.
by ♫ Highway to Hell ♫ July 27, 2011
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