1597
Keichô 2 (慶長二年)
Timeline of 1597
- Keichô 1/12/19 (5 Feb 1597) Toyotomi Hideyoshi orders the execution of 26 Christians in Hizen; the first bloody persecution of Christians in Japan.
- 1597/2/21 Hideyoshi orders a resumption of the war in Korea. Ukita Hideie is placed in overall command.
- 1597/5/4 Construction of Fushimi castle completed.
- 1597/7 Moveable type printing begins, based on models of mechanisms captured in Korea.
- 1597/7 Japanese forces defeat Korean naval forces at Chilcheonnyang.
- 1597/8 Japanese troops capture the Namwon fortress.
- 1597/8/28 Ashikaga Yoshiaki dies.
- 1597/9 The 'miracle at Myongyang': 16 ships under Yi Sun Shin defeat a Japanese fleet of 133 vessels.
- 1597/12 Katô Kiyomasa and Asano Yukinaga are besieged in Ulsan. The seige continues into the following spring.
Other Events of 1597
- Korea dispatches an embassy to Beijing to express gratitude to the Ming Dynasty for its aid in defending against Japanese invasion.
- Pottery techniques are imported from Korea.
- Niwa Nagashige takes command of Komatsu castle in Kaga province.
Births and Deaths
- Kyôgen actor Ôkura Toraaki is born (d. 1662).
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