1594: Faltering Peace Talks and the Building of the Wajō Forts
Konishi Yukinaga and the Ming envoy Shen Weijing conducted repeated negotiations, but their aims diverged so sharply that a superficial peace was pieced together through documents that misrepresented the actual situation to both courts. Along Korea's southern coast, Japanese forces built a chain of fortresses known as wajō to prepare for a prolonged occupation, and the front effectively settled into stalemate.
Events this year
Month 1
Toyotomi Hideyoshi began transforming Fushimi Castle at Shigetsu into a full-scale fortress and political center intended to receive Ming envoys.
Month 8
Shigetsu Fushimi Castle was completed and Toyotomi Hideyoshi entered it, making Fushimi a new center of government and transportation.
Alongside the construction of Fushimi Castle, Fushimi Port was opened and major works including the Taikō Embankment improved river and land transport.
Nakagawa Hidenari, who succeeded to the headship following the death of his elder brother Hidemasa, was transferred from Miki in Harima to Oita in Bungo Province by order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi and built a castle town.