ABSTRACT
In the seventh month of 1590, Korean envoys charged with an “exchange of trust” arrived in Kyoto and, about three months later, had an audience with Hideyoshi. The Korean envoys’ visit, however, did not satisfy Hideyoshi, who felt that Korea’s submission to Japan should be performed by the former’s king. More than anything else, it was this particular jindate that was responsible for Japan’s invasion of Korea. Obviously, Hideyoshi expected the invasion to help his regime as well as the daimyo who supported his leadership. Hideyoshi envisioned that Korea could be subjugated within six months. The Japanese invaders, who found it difficult to carry food along their advance routes, were able to pillage piles of grain left by Korean officials and others who fled for their lives. Hideyoshi, who declared that there would be an immediate attack, remained hesitant and instead returned to hoping that Korea would send a prince to Japan.
