1598: The Death of Hideyoshi and the Withdrawal from Korea
In August, Hideyoshi died of illness at Fushimi Castle. Shortly before his death, he instructed the Five Elders to withdraw all forces from Korea, and the Japanese army began its retreat accordingly. At the Battle of Noryang in November, Japanese forces fought fiercely against the combined Ming-Korean fleet and killed the renowned admiral Yi Sun-sin, but following this final engagement the Japanese completed their full withdrawal from the Korean peninsula, bringing the seven-year campaign to a close.
Events this year
3/15
Toyotomi Hideyoshi held a grand cherry-blossom viewing at Daigoji with Hideyori, Kita-no-Mandokoro, Yodo-dono, and a large entourage.
3/18
Toyotomi Hideyoshi issued a vermillion-sealed order commanding the Shikoku daimyō to provide rotational relief forces for Busan Castle in Korea.
5/3
The four commissioners (Maeda Gen'i, Asano Nagamasa, Masuda Nagamori, and Nagatsuka Masaie) issued a jointly signed edict increasing Katō Yoshiaki's holdings to 100,000 koku in recognition of his military service in Korea.
8/18
Toyotomi Hideyoshi died at Fushimi Castle, destabilizing the council system established to support the young Hideyori.
9/3
Following Toyotomi Hideyoshi's death, the five elders and five commissioners issued a sworn oath pledging collective deliberation to support the young Hideyori.
After Toyotomi Hideyoshi's death, the daimyō armies withdrew from Korea, ending the invasions launched from Nagoya in Hizen.