Fan Casting Toyotomi Hideyoshi in Actors by Historical Figures They've Played

Toyotomi Hideyoshi was a Japanese samurai and daimyō (feudal lord) of the late Sengoku and Azuchi-Momoyama periods and regarded as the second "Great Unifier" of Japan. Although he came from a peasant background, his immense power earned him the rank and title of Kampaku (Imperial Regent) and Daijō-daijin (Chancellor of the Realm), the highest official position and title in the nobility class. He was the first person in history to become a Kampaku who was not born a noble. He then passed the position and title of Kampaku to his nephew, Toyotomi Hidetsugu. He remained in power as Taikō, the title of retired Kampaku, until his death. It is believed, but not certain, that the reason he refused or could not obtain the title of shogun, the leader of the warrior class, was because he was of peasant origin.