One Nation


	When consolidating his power throughout Japan, Nobunaga viewed Buddhism and Shinto as a clear threat to his control. He could easily wipe out military garrisons and strongholds, and have the surrounding people pay tribute to him in name. But could they really respect him as the only true leader if they found higher calling in a rock? Or a Tree? Or a Buddha? Nobunaga believed that he was in a contest of power with religion, and he believed it was a contest he was not going to lose.

As a result, in 1571 Nobunaga set upon an obliterated Enryajuki, the most influential religious center of the time. Thousands of buildings were destroyed, and thousands more perished - the monks and priests were no match for Nobunaga�s superior warrior samurai.

In 1582 there was a dramatic shift in the power structure - Nobunaga was assassinated. Hideyoshi, arguably one of the greatest military leaders in Japanese history, avenged his death and rose to assume the mantle of leadership. Hideyoshi was able to bring the rest of warring Japan under his control in under 8 years through his sheer ability and military insight.