Book excerpt: Please note that the content of this book primarily consists of articles available from Wikipedia or other free sources online. Pages: 35. Chapters: Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Saig -no-Tsubone, Yagy Munetoshi, Emperor Go-Mizunoo, Ishikawa Goemon, Tokugawa Hidetada, Hattori Hanz, Azai Nagamasa, Yodo-dono, Honda Tadakatsu, Yagy Munenori, Akechi Mitsuhide, Hosokawa Gracia, Ohatsu, Oeyo, Shibata Katsuie, Toyotomi Hidetsugu, Senhime, Toyotomi Hideyori, Kashinkyoshi, Honda Tadatoki, Konoe Sakihisa, Rokkaku Yoshiharu, Sakazaki Naomori. Excerpt: Oda Nobunaga .), June 23, 1534 - June 21, 1582) was the initiator of the unification of Japan under the rule of the shogun in the late 16th century, a ruling that ended only with the opening of Japan to the Western world in 1868. He was also a major daimyo during the Sengoku period of Japanese history. His opus was continued, completed and finalized by his successors Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu. He was the second son of Oda Nobuhide, a deputy shugo (military governor) with land holdings in Owari Province. Nobunaga lived a life of continuous military conquest, eventually conquering a third of Japanese daimyo before his death in 1582. His successor, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a loyal Oda supporter, would eventually become the first man to conquer all of Japan and the first ruler of all Japan since the nin War. Oda Nobunaga was born on June 23, 1534, and was given the childhood name of Kipp shi ). He was the second son of Oda Nobuhide. Through his childhood and early teenage years, he was well known for his bizarre behavior and received the name of Owari no utsuke, The Fool of Owari). With the introduction of firearms into Japan, though, he became known for his fondness of Tanegashima firearms. He was also known to run around with other youths from the area, without any regard to his own rank in society. He is said to be born in Nagoya Castle, although this is subject to debate. It is however certain that...