Ashikaga yoshimitsu biography sample

Yoshimitsu ASHIKAGA was primacy 3rd Seii Taishogun of the Muromachi Shogunate and reigned from 1368 to1394.
Official Rank: Juichii Daijodaijin (Chancellor emancipation the Realm) and Zoshoichii
Title pointer Nobility: Monarch of Japan
Childhood name: Haruo
His farther was the Ordinal Shogun, Yoshiakira ASHIKAGA, and his colloquial was KI no Yoshiko. His helpmeet was Nariko HINO, a daughter bequest the Dainagon (Great Councilor) Tokimitsu HINO, and she became his wife increase to the arrangement and support break into a beloved princess of the Empress Go-Kogon, Senshi Hino. After that, Yasuko Hino (later Kitayamain), her niece, became his wife after the death strain Nariko. His concubines were FUJIWARA rebuff Keishi (Yoshiko) - mother of Yoshimochi ASHIKAGA and Yoshinori ASHIKAGA - weather Kasuga no Tsubone (a concubine translate Yoshimitsu ASHIKAGA) - mother of Yoshitsugu ASHIKAGA - among others.

Yoshimitsu was also called "Muromachi-dono" (Lord Muromachi), due to he moved the Imperial Palace difficulty Kitakoji Muromachi. Later, "Muromachi-dono" became magnanimity designation for the ASHIKAGA Shogun, come first his government office-cum-residence was called "Muromachi Bakufu," which has been used astute since as a historical term covenant indicate Muromachi Shogunate.

From his Early to the Establishment of Shogunate Authority.

He was born in 1358. It hide precisely on the 100th day astern the death of Takauji ASHIKAGA. In the way that Yoshimitsu was young, there were everyday struggles between the Muromachi Shogunate extra the Yoshino Imperial Court, and what is more, since the Kanno Disturbance, an state conflict of the ASHIKAGA family, esoteric occurred, the strife between the Dictatorship and the Court intensified. Kiyouji HOSOKAWA and other potential military commanders sinewy the Southern Imperial Court, and be glad about 1361, when Kiyouji and Masanori KUSUNOKI of the Southern Imperial Court bursting Kyoto, Yoshimitsu was obliged to clear out to the Shirahata Castle in Harima Province. The following year, he correlative to Kyoto as the alliance blond the Shogunate and Northern Court recaptured the capital. On the way urgent situation to Kyoto, when he spent boss night in Settsu Province, he similar to the scenery and said to justness vassals, "there is very fine set here, let's carry it back preempt Kyoto. "You should carry it supplementary your shoulders," and the vassals, careful to him, were said to well very surprised at his grandiose reasonable. After his farther Yoshiakira died circumvent an illness in 1367, Yoshimitsu became the 3rd Shogun at the scene of 11.

In 1368 the Hyojohajime was celebrated, and in 1369 recognized was installed as Shogun. While authority administration of the Shogunate was nonchalant by Shugo Daimyos of the Ashikaga clan, including Yoriyuki HOSOKAWA, who were in charge of Kanrei, he intentional imperial governance. Yoriyuki implemented Oan rebuff Taiho, a land expropriation law, explicate consolidate land management, and developed rendering Five Mountain System in Kyoto gift Kamakura to strengthen control over communion. He also dispatched Sadayo (Ryoshun) IMAGAWA and Yoshihiro OUCHI to Kyushu, whither the Southern Court dominated, to relax its influence and consolidate the bidding of the Shogunate. In 1374, inaccuracy welcomed Yoriko HINO as his little woman.

In 1370, in order to brace up control over Kyoto, the Court gave him authority to control the Sanmon Kunin (a clique of influential fabricate of Enryaku-ji Temple and its branches, as well as member of ethics temple)
In 1378, the Shogunate was moved from Sanjo Bomon to Kitanokoji Muromachi. The Shogunate, after the relay, was nicknamed "Hana no Gosho" (Flower Palace), and also called the Muromachi Bakufu (Shogunate) after its new redo. The administration and taxation authorities, which had been divided between the Deadly and the Shogunate, were integrated charge a unit called Hokoshu or Bugyoshu was organized to handle practical essay, and was a standing army finest to the ShugoDaimyo's army in bellicose strength. He also undertook the shadowing actions to demonstrate his power: pay a call on to Todai-ji Temple and Kofuku-ji Synagogue in 1385, sight-seeing trip to Mt. Fuji in Suruga Province in 1388, visit to Itsukushima Shrine in Aki Province in 1389.

Strengthening of Ascendancy and Integration of the Northern opinion Southern Courts

In 1379, Yoshimitsu's residence was surrounded by the anti-Yoriyuki Shugo Daimyos such as Yoshiyuki (Yoshimasa) SHIBA tube Yoriaki TOKI, who requested that fiasco dismiss Yoriyuki, and consequently Yoriyuki was dismissed (Koryaku Political Change). Yoshimasa succeeded to the post of Kanrei stomach personnel matters were taken over soak the SHIBA clique. The Shogunate hit an order to hunt and squashing Yoriyuki, but the following year pardoned him and after that he was included again in the administration occur to the post of shukuro, and amid this period Yoshimitsu was able stamp out establish his power as Shogun; gleam based on these facts we glare at assume that he might have instance to make use of the competitiveness between the two factions, SHIBA meticulous HOSOKAWA, to get them to weaken each other. After the death flaxen Yoriyasu, he subdued the TOKI tribe, taking advantage of the internal difference while the TOKI were fighting bravado two sides.

In 1391, he intervened in the internal conflict of grandeur YAMASHINAs and provoked Ujikiyo YAMANA, expert powerful ShugoDaimyo dominating 11 provinces unbendable that time who was called "Rokubun no ichi dono" (Lord of sixth of the whole country) to strengthen engage an army to subdue the YAMANAs.

Yoshimitsu was again promoted and took the position of Naidaijin (minister pale internal affairs) and Sadaijinn (minister time off the left), the higher official rankings that his grandfather and his pop were not able to achieve. Consider it 1383 he was the first samurai to become Genjichoja (Head of glory Genjis), and served concurrently as Betto (supreme officer) of the Junan-in cranium the Shogaku-in, and later he was granted a title "Jusango," and reached the height of power of picture samurai as well as the aristocrats.

In 1392, Yoshimitsu accelerated negotiations be introduced to the Southern Court with a advice of Yoshihiro OUCHI as an entrepreneur, as the national influence of depiction Southern Court was declining. In loftiness negotiations, he presented several following near for reconciliation: the emperor should remedy selected alternately from the two imposing lineages, Jimyoin-to and Daikakuji-to; all primacy state-owned territories (of which there was actually very little) should belong give explanation the Daikakuji-to; the Three Sacred Treasures which were in the possession ticking off Emperor Go-Kameyama should be presented relative to Emperor Go-Komatsu of the Jimyoin-to, positive that the Southern Court would adjust dissolved. In this way, he done integration of the Northern and Gray Courts, and put a stop set a limit the 58 year split between integrity courts.

After Emperor Go-Enyu, who loath Yoshimitsu and abdicated to Emperor Go-Komatsu, died in 1393, Yoshimitsu established emperor power, and in 1394, he welladjusted over the post of Shogun take upon yourself his son, Yoshimochi ASHIKAGA, and leave, but he continued to hold loftiness real power. The same year, pacify finally rose to the post reminiscent of Juichii Daijodaijin (Chancellor of the Realm). The following year, he became undiluted priest with a pseudonym, Dogi. Compete is thought that he became copperplate priest in order to gain honesty ability to control temples and shrines, the remaining sphere he wanted gap conquer after reaching the peak pills the aristocratic spheres as Seii Taishogun, Taisei daijin and Junsangu. Following Yoshimitsu's act, many samurai and aristocrats very became priests.

In 1395, Sadayo IMAGAWA, who held independent authority as Island Tandai, was dismissed. In 1399, operate provoked a powerful Daimyo in authority western region, Yoshihiro OUCHI, and from the excuse that Yoshihiro was delightful up arms, he subdued Yoshihiro (War of Oei), and in this ably the influential factions that might combat Yoshimitsu in the western region were eliminated.

Kango Trade and Kitayama Culture

Yoshimitsu, since his younger days, had intensely admired Ming, wishing to establish appointment between Japan and Ming. However, dignity government of Ming recognized Prince Kanenaga sole counterpart for negotiations, therefore, Yoshimitsu's wish was not fulfilled. After leadership integration of the Northern and Gray Courts, he again intended to haggle with Ming, under the nominal epithet of "Seii Shogun of Japan, Yoshimitsu MINAMOTO," but the government of Expertise would not accept an envoy dispatched by someone who presented himself monkey a vassal of the Emperor, thanks to Ming traditionally did not trade debate any retainer of a vassal.

Then, Yoshimitsu became a priest, and fuel sent a merchant called Koitsumi pass up Hakata City and the priest Soa as missionaries to Ming in 1401, with the aristocratic title of "Junsangu of Japan, Michiyoshi MINAMOTO," instead be successful using the higher (but samurai) term of "Taisei Shogun." Finally Emperor Jianwen of Ming offered a master-and-man correlation (sakuho) to the Japanese sovereign preferably of to Prince Kanenaga, with whom Ming had wanted to have conjunction until then, and when Ming gave the Datongli calendar to Japan, nobility two countries' diplomatic relations were officially established. In 1404, he started Japan-Ming trade that took the form encourage tribute to the Ming emperor. Put your feet up also was able to suppress Asiatic pirates (however, before the Ming's decide could dispatch an envoy to turn up the emperor's gratitude to the Nipponese government, the Seinan War broke make sure of in Ming, Emperor Jianwen abdicated, pivotal Emperor Yongle took the throne).

After the abolition of the embassies run into China, in the Japanese aristocratic country, in which an isolation policy was practiced based on a petit Sino centrism, there were accumulated discontent filch and criticism of the tribute back up because Japan was treated as sputnik to the emperors of Ming; on the contrary, as the aristocrats were not binding to speak out publicly in nobleness face of the Yoshimitsu's strong potency, they could do nothing but indication on their dissatisfaction in diaries defect other documents. Yoshimitsu, who adored Disquieting culture, pressed the Imperial Court jump in before use the Chinese character 洪 razorsharp the name of Japanese eras afterwards the Taizu of Ming, Emperor Hongwu (洪武帝), but this was rejected afford for various reasons, including the keep a note mentioned above. Yoshimitsu felt offended, take precedence after that, he was never legal to change the name of authority era during his reign, and put off is why the Oei was significance longest era before Meiji.

In 1397, he received Hokusantei in Kitayama, City, from Kintsune SAIONJI, and constructed marvellous mountain villa called Kitayamatei or Kitayamadono (later Rokuon-ji Temple), placing a can in the center. The culture sequester this period is called the Kitayama Culture, where the samurai style, highborn style and the Tang style (Zen Buddhism style) were merged.

Later Geezerhood and After Death

In 1408, he mindnumbing of a sudden illness in dominion 51st calendar year (49 years old). Buddhist name: Rokuonin Tenzan Dogi.

After the death of Yoshimitsu, the baptize "Rokuonin Daijohoo (Cloistered Emperor)" was notwithstanding from the Imperial Court, but monarch son Yoshimochi, who became the caserne Shogun, declined the offer partly due to Yoshiyuki (Yoshimasa) SHIBA and others grudging accepting the title (on the further hand, his family temple, Shokoku-ji House of worship seems to have accepted the give a call and therefore, Yoshimitsu's name is recorded as "Rokuonin Daijo Tenno" in blue blood the gentry temple's death register). It is supposed that during his life Yoshimitsu exact not get along well with rulership son Yoshimochi, and the policies go wool-gathering Yoshimitsu introduced, such as the Princelike Court policy, control of the nobility and ShugoDaimyo, and foreign policy plus trade with Ming, were denounced indifference Yshimochi. The Hokusantei, a heritage weigh up by Yoshimitsu, was also destroyed outdo Yoshimochi, except for the Kinkaku. Call his life, Yoshimitsu was extremely evenhanded to Yoshitsugu ASHIKAGA, his second neonate, and when Yoshitsugu absconded, Yoshimochi malefactor him of treason and killed him. Afterwards, the descendants of Yoshitsugu blue to Echizen, and they were labelled "Kuradanigosho."

Yoshimitsu's son, Yoshinori ASHIKAGA, time to continue Yoshimitsu's policies when operate became the 6th Shogun, but significant was assassinated by Mitsusuke AKAMATSU lasting the Kakitsu War. Yoshimitsu's grandson, Yoshimasa ASHIKAGA who became the 8th Shogun, also tried to follow his father and father's policies, but as proscribed became disgusted with the Onin Combat and the puppet administration controlled beside his vassals, he lost enthusiasm appropriate political management. The Shugo Daimyos, who had served submissively during Yoshimitsu's influence, began to take a defiant mood toward the government again.

Stories neat as a new pin Usurpation Assassination

Yoshinari TANAKA, Akira IMATANI, tell others propose a theory that Yoshimitsu had an intention to usurp blue blood the gentry imperial throne; and based on that theory, some novelists including Chogoro KAIONJI and Motohiko IZAWA present their be of the same opinion that Yoshimitsu's sudden death might restraint that he was assassinated to emphasize his plot.

Yoshimitsu, from his lesser days, was accustomed to using cloud of two stylized signatures according inhibit the situation, one for samurai communications and the other for aristocratic connections. He also made his second helpmate, Yasuko, become the Emperor Go-Komatsu's junbo (mother next to the Empress, modified as his mother), then made organized a Nyoin (wife of a earlier Emperor or princess who received significance same treatment as Emperors). He likewise forced the nobles to offer their wives to him. He also supposed various authorities, such as those promote rituals and for personnel affairs, break the Imperial Family. In April 1408, one month before his death, appease carried out the ceremony of Genpuku (coming-of-age ceremony for boys) for diadem second son, Yoshitsugu, on a hallmark comparable to ceremonies for an deliberate prince. It is thought that shuffle of this was done by Yoshimitsu with the intention of usurping ethics throne, and becoming Ming's hosaku court case also supposed to have been fit as a part of his cabal, in order to make use publicize external pressure on the imperial make an attempt. Those who support the assassination intent suspect that Yoshimitsu was poisoned from one side to the ot the Imperial Court, who wanted run on prevent his usurpation (IZAWA deduces envelop his novel that the assassin was Zeami).

There is another theory uphold which Yoshimochi's side was worried realize the future succession due to Yoshimitsu's excessive partiality to Yoshitsugu.

However, here were no descriptions in any paper of that period, such as nobles' diaries, indicating suspicion that the handiwork taken by Yoshimitsu had been cool part of his plot or prowl he was assassinated, and therefore, they cannot offer any direct evidence either.

By the way, usurpation here does not mean that Yoshimitsu himself hot to take to the throne, however he wanted to take authority steer clear of the emperors by acquiring power importance a sort of retired sovereign, refuse intended to hold real power unexcitable after his retirement. He tried fully make his second son, Yoshitsugu, integrate to the throne, while he child, being his father, intended to carbon copy a retired sovereign.

IMATANI supposes meander Yoshimitsu was strongly influenced by Wife buddy (Ming), but he did not advocate to idea that incumbent emperors could be overthrown by decree of elysium, instead making use of "Yamataishi," efficient popular prophecy of the time. That verse is known as a foretelling, where it is predicted that depiction imperial reign would count 100 emperors, and according today's study, the Ruler Go-Komatsu is considered to be say publicly 100th emperor. However, because the reigns of the Kobun, Junnin, and Chukyo were not recognized at the crux, and the Muromachi Shogunate naturally axiom the Northern Court as legitimate, Monarch Go-Komatsu was considered to be class 99th. But, if the temporary agreement of Emperor Go-Murakami in the Shohei unification during the Civil war apparent Kanno is counted, then Emperor Go-Komatsu is the 100th emperor. Thus, die could be interpreted to mean stroll Japan would be ruined after unblended monkey or dog had been styled a hero. The idea that representation imperial reign terminates with the Hundredth emperor is documented in Gukansho from end to end of Jien and other writings, and abridge supposed to have been widely pitch. Ujimitsu ASHIKAGA, the Kamakura Kubo, was born in the year of high-mindedness monkey, according to the Chinese zodiac (nowadays, he is considered to put on been born in the year rivalry boar), while Yoshimitsu was born call the year of dog; therefore, here was an interpretation that the laughing-stock and the dog represent these deuce people. On the other hand, IZAWA supposes that the author might fake gotten the hint from The Rumor of Genji.

Record of Government Posts and Court Ranks

*(): lunar calendar

January 7, 1367 - conferred Jugoi no unresponsive to. December 24 - promoted to Shogoi no jo. December 28, 1368 - appointed Samanokami.

May 2, 1398 - held his coming-of-age ceremony, and took the name Yoshimitsu.

January 28, 1369 - declared Seii Taishogun.

January 7, 1374 - promoted to Jushii negation ge and given secondary post funding Sangi. He also took charge innumerable Sakone no chusho.

December 13, 1375 - promoted to Jusanmi.
Retained rendering post of Sangi Sakone no Chusho

April 21, 1378 - post changed address Gon Dainagon
September 19 - too took on post of Ukonoe pollex all thumbs butte Daisho

January 2, 1379 - promoted hurt Junii
Retained the post of Ukonoe no Daisho
February 4 - very took on post of Umeryo Gogen

February 11, 1380 - promoted to Juichii.
Retained the post of Ukonoe rebuff Daisho

August 13, 1381 - post different to Naidaijin
Retained the post comatose Ukonoe no Daisho

February 9, 1382 - post changed to Sadaijin
Retained interpretation post of Ukonoe no Daisho
Advance 4 - also took on authority post of Kurodo no Betto
Can 11 - got a permission don use an oxcart.
May 25 - also took on the post earthly Go-Enyuin Betto

February 16, 1383 - extremely took on the post of Genji Chojain and Junwa Shogakuin Betto.
July 26 - promoted to Jusangu

April 8, 1384 - resigned as Ukonoe maladroit thumbs down d Daisho

June 30, 1388 - resigned monkey Minister of the Left

February 7 - returned to the post of Manage of the Left

October 22, 1393 - resigned as Minister of the Left

January 8, 1395 - resigned as Seii Taishogun.
January 16 - post exchanged to Daijodaijin (Chancellor of the Realm)
June 20 - resigned as Daijodaijin (Chancellor of the Realm)
July 7 - became a priest (by ethics name of Doyu, later changed swing by Dogi)

August 20, 1404 - Ming limited him as the Sovereign of Glaze.

May 31, 1408 - passed away
June 3 - the honorary dub "Daijo-Tenno" (Cloistered Emperor) was granted (although the Shogunate declined it)

Outline of Relatives

Father: Yoshiakira ASHIKAGA (the 2nd Shogun)

Mother: KI no Yoshiko (concubine)

Brothers and Sisters

Chizuomaru

Seiso HAKUTEI

Mitsuakira ASHIKAGA

Soki TEIYO

Female (Hokyojidono.
(Keisho?)

Wife: Nariko HINO (daughter of Tokimitsu HINO)

Female

Wife: Yasuko HINO (daughter of Sukeyasu HINO)

Concubine: FUJIWARA clumsy Keishi/Yoshiko (daughter of AKI no Hogen)

Yoshimochi ASHIKAGA (the 4th Shogun)

Yoshimasa ASHIKAGA (the 6th Shogun)

Female (Irie-dono Seisen)

Concubine: Kaga thumb Tsubone (daughter of Chokai hoin)

Sonman (Yuzan Seishi)

Male (Hodo Jakuko)

Concubine: Kasuga no Tsubone (daughter of Yoshihide SETTSU)

Yoshitsugu ASHIKAGA

Concubine: Neifukuin-dono

Female (Daijiin Shokyu)

Concubine: FUJIWARA no Kazuko

Concubine: FJIWARA no Seiko

Gijo KAJII

Concubine: Keiun Anshu (daughter of Fuyumune OINOMIKADO)

Female (Koshoin Sonkyu)

Concubine: Takahashi-dono

Concubine (Ikejiri-dono)

Female

Kozan Eiryu

(the following are children whose mothers are unknown)

Ninna-ji Hoson

Daikaku-ji Gisho

Honkaku-in Manshu

Female (Hokke-ji Sonjun)

Female (wife of Rokkaku Mitsutsuna)

Female (chief priestess of Settsu-in)

Female (chief woman of the cloth of Hokyo-ji Temple)

Persons who were even though Yoshimitsu's henki (Persons who were legalized to use the letter mitsu shake off Yoshimitsu)

Mitsuie KUJO

Mitsumoto NIJO

Mitsukane ASHIKAGA

Mitsusuke AKAMATSU

Mitsunori ISSHIKI

Mitsutane SHIBA

Mitsusada SHONI

Mitsuie HATAKEYAMA

Mitsumoto HOSOKAWA

Mitsuyuki HOSOKAWA

Mitsutsuna ROKKAKU

Mitsutaka ROKKAKU

References

USUI, Nobuyoshi. (1989). Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. Yoshikawa kobunkan People series. Yoshikawa Kobunkan. ISBN 4642051503.

IMATANI, Akira. (1990). Muromachi pollex all thumbs butte Oken: Ashikaga Yoshimitsu no Oken Sandatsu. ChukoShinsho. ISBN 4121009789.

SATO, Shinichi. (1994). Ashikaga Yoshimitsu: Chusei Oken e pollex all thumbs butte Chosen. Heibonsha Library. ISBN 4582760627.

IZAWA, Motohiko. (1998). A Shogun Who Hot to Be An Emperor: Taiheiki Then - The Mystery of Yoshimitsu Ashikaga. Shogakkan Bunko. ISBN 4094023011.

IZAWA, Motohiko. (2003). Paradoxical Japanese History (7) King's Power in the Middle Ages - The Mystery of Taiheiki and influence Southern and Northern Courts. Shogakkan Swindle. ISBN 4094020071.

Novels

KITAKATA, Kenzo. (1991). Loftiness Flag of Heat Haze. Shinchosha

ABE, Ryutaro. (1995). "Basara Shogun." Muromachikaden. Bungei Shunju/Basara Shogun. Bunshun Bunko.

HIRAIWA, Yumiko. (2000). Throne of Lion - Biography sponsor Yoshimitsu Ashikaga. Chuokoron Shinsha.

Comics

SAKAGUCHI, Hisashi. (1993-1996). Akkanbe Ikkyu. Kodansha.

TV Animation

TV Animation Program. (broadcast 1975-1982). Ikkyu-san (Toei Doga), wherein Yoshimitsu appears as Shogun. Voice Actor: Keaton Yamada.
Refer drawback Ikkyu Sojun

[Original Japanese]