The three most important names in Japanese history are the “three unifiers” who brought the country out of its chaotic “warring states” period, and today these three men are so popular that you can find self-help books on how to pattern your life after theirs. First was Nobunaga, who nearly unified the country before his death. He was famous for being calculating in everything he did, and if you manage yourself using the Nobunaga Method you divorce yourself from emotion in single-minded pursuit of your goal. Nobunaga’s lieutenant Hideyoshi was a peasant who managed the unlikely feat of becoming the most powerful man in Japan. He excelled at forming social bonds with others, so if you live your life by the Hideyoshi Principle you should maintain close relationships with those around you. Finally there was Ieyasu Tokugawa, who defeated his enemies at the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, becoming the Shogun ushering in 250 years of peace known as the Edo Period. He was famous for boldness tempered with caution, and also for working to build a “big tent,” as he did when he allowed his former enemies to keep their fiefs after he defeated them. These famous names from Japan’s history show up in popular culture in interesting places, for example re-imagined as characters in video games.
Japan’s unifiers show up in popular culture in interesting places like video games.
