Siege of Osaka Castle

(1614 - 1615)  Since the Battle of Sekigahara, many clans on the losing side held grudges against the Tokugawas.  Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was now retired, but still controlling the government through his son, and Hideyoshi’s son engaged in a feud.  As news of the rift grew, many clans who opposed the Tokugawas came to the aid of Hideyoshi’s son, Hideyori.  Several minor battles ensued, but Tokugawa finally trapped Hideyori and his followers inside the castle.  Tokugawa, then had his forces’ cannons aimed at the residence of Hideyori’s mother, who happened to be Tokugawa’s niece.   A truce was signed, but soon afterward, Tokugawa had the moats covered, and stated that any new attempts of fortifying the castle would be considered breaking the truce.  In September, 1615, skirmishes broke out again.  Hideyori had once force in front of the castle, one that flanked Ieyasu, and one inside the castle.  However, Ieyasu’s forces got close enough to bombard the castle using the cannons, and when they got inside, they saw that Hideyori had committed seppuku.