Who was this person?
The third Muromachi shogun. He reunited the Northern and Southern Courts in 1392, built the "Flower Palace" in Muromachi, Kyoto, and brought the shogunate to the height of its power. He opened relations with Ming China and began the tally trade, and built the Golden Pavilion (Rokuon-ji) at Kitayama, the centre of Kitayama culture.
| Name | Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (足利義満) |
|---|---|
| Born–died | 1358 – 1408 |
| Period | Muromachi period |
| Birthplace | Kyoto |
| Also known as | Rokuon-in, Kitayama-dono |
| Main achievements |
|
Born a son of the 2nd shogun Ashikaga Yoshiakira, in the year his grandfather Takauji died. As a small child he once fled Kyoto from Southern Court attacks and was sheltered by the Akamatsu in Harima (Hyōgo).
After his father's death he became the 3rd shogun at 10. The deputy shogun (kanrei) Hosokawa Yoriyuki supported the boy and rebuilt the shogunate's strength.
At Imakumano in Kyoto he saw the sarugaku Noh of Kan'ami and his son Zeami and was captivated, keeping the boy Zeami at his side (some say 1375). Under shogunal patronage Noh flourished.
He built and moved into a grand residence at Muromachi in Kyoto planted with flowering trees, the "Palace of Flowers"—the origin of the name Muromachi shogunate.
Opposition from powerful military governors forced Hosokawa Yoriyuki to resign (Kōryaku Coup). The 21-year-old Yoshimitsu began to rule himself, playing the governors off against one another.
Exploiting a feud within the Yamana, who held eleven provinces and were called "lords of one-sixth", he defeated Yamana Ujikiyo and others (Meitoku Rebellion), curbing an overmighty governor.
He induced the Southern emperor Go-Kameyama to cede the throne to the Northern emperor Go-Komatsu, ending more than fifty years of divided courts.
He handed the shogunate to his 8-year-old son Yoshimochi and became Grand Minister; the next year he took vows, yet kept real power. A warrior, he also stood at the summit of the court nobility.
He began building a villa at Kitayama in Kyoto (Kitayama-dono); its gold-leafed relic hall later became known as the Golden Pavilion. Kitayama culture, blending court, warrior and Zen traditions, flourished.
Ōuchi Yoshihiro, governor of six provinces enriched by trade with Korea, rebelled; Yoshimitsu defeated him at Sakai (Ōei Rebellion).
He sent envoys to Ming China and opened relations; the next year the Ming emperor recognized him as "King of Japan".
He began trade with Ming using tallies (kangō) to distinguish official ships from pirates (wakō). Copper coins and raw silk flowed in, bringing the shogunate great profit.
He died of illness at Kitayama-dono. The court wished to grant him the title of retired emperor, but his son Yoshimochi declined it, it is said. Yoshimochi later suspended his father's trade with Ming.
A. The third Muromachi shogun. He reunited the Northern and Southern Courts in 1392, built the "Flower Palace" in Muromachi, Kyoto, and brought the shogunate to the height of its power. He opened relations with Ming China and began the tally trade, and built the Golden Pavilion (Rokuon-ji) at Kitayama, the centre of Kitayama culture.
A. Period: Muromachi period. Born in 1358, died in 1408.
A. Ashikaga Yoshimitsu was born in Kyoto.
A. Official trade with Ming China, named after the paired "tally" permits used to distinguish legitimate ships from pirates (wakō). Japan exported swords and copper and imported Ming coins and raw silk.
See also: Wikipedia (ja) / Wikipedia (en) / Wikipedia (fr) / Wikipedia (zh) / Wikidata
Follow this life (autoplay)Hosokawa YoriyukiNijō YoshimotoImagawa Sadayo (Ryōshun)Ashikaga YoshimochiAshikaga YoshinoriAshikaga YoshiakiraKan'amiZeami
Ashikaga YoshiakiraKan'amiAshikaga MotoujiShiba YoshimasaZeamiShō HashiMansaiAkamatsu Mitsusuke
People of the Muromachi period ・ People by period
Based on facts found in textbooks and biographies. Uncertain points are marked as such.