Born a son of Akamatsu Yoshinori. His birth is dated 1381, though some say 1373. The Akamatsu were powerful shugo of Harima, Bizen and Mimasaka, and Mitsusuke grew up as a major Muromachi daimyo.
He succeeded his father as head of the Akamatsu and shugo of Harima and other provinces. As a bakufu elder he moved between Kyoto and his lands, securing his place under shoguns Yoshimochi and Yoshinori.
He tightened shugo rule centered on Harima and organized his retainers. He minded trade and ties with temples, seeking stability even amid war. His days balanced Kyoto politics with provincial administration.
When Ashikaga Yoshinori, chosen by lot, became shogun, Mitsusuke served him as a leading shugo. Yoshinori pursued strong rule that curbed shugo power, and the Akamatsu felt growing pressure over lands and rank.
Until the Kakitsu Rebellion he took part in bakufu politics while governing his lands. As shugo after shugo were punished by Yoshinori's anger, Mitsusuke's ties with the shogun are said to have worsened over treatment of his kin.
Yoshinori punished leading shugo one after another, with harsh measures against houses such as Isshiki and Toki. Mitsusuke is said to have feared his turn and lost trust in the bakufu. Resentment of overstrong shogunal power led to his later deed.
In the Kanto the Eikyo War destroyed Kamakura kubo Ashikaga Mochiuji, and Yoshinori's hard power stood out more. Kinai shugo could not defy him, and Mitsusuke's resentment only grew. Tension between shugo and shogun neared a peak.
Yoshinori is said to have checked Mitsusuke by granting lands to branch Akamatsu houses. Mitsusuke felt his honor as shugo wounded and nursed deep resentment. Fear of being attacked is also reported.
He invited Yoshinori to his Kyoto mansion and killed the shogun at a banquet. Mitsusuke fled to Harima and held out in his castle, but bakufu forces defeated him. The Kakitsu Rebellion shocked the country with a shogun's murder.
Defeated in Harima, Mitsusuke is said to have taken his own life in the castle. The main Akamatsu line briefly fell, and lands went to the Yamana and others. The house later revived, but Mitsusuke was long remembered as a shogun-killer.
Yamana SōzenUesugi NorizaneAshikaga YoshimasaAshikaga YoshimiAshikaga YoshimochiAshikaga YoshinoriAshikaga Mochiuji
Ashikaga YoshimitsuZeamiShō HashiMansaiAshikaga YoshimochiAshikaga YoshinoriIkkyū SōjunAshikaga Mochiuji
People of the Muromachi period ・ People by period
Based on facts found in textbooks and biographies. Uncertain points are marked as such.