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Ashikaga Yoshimasa

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was the 8th shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1449 to 1473 during the Muromachi period of Japan. Yoshimasa was the son of the sixth shogun Ashikaga Yoshinori.

In the third year of Kakitsu, on the 21 day of the 7th month (1443), Shogun Yoshikatsu died at the age of 10. He very much like riding horses; but he was gravely injured in a fall from a horse. This was the cause of his death. He had been shogun for only three years. His 8-year-old brother, Yoshinari, was then named shogun. Several years after he becomes shogun, Yoshinari will change his name to Yoshimasu; and he is better known by that name.

Shogunal succession

Significant events shape the period during which Yoshimasu was shogun:

  • 1443 -- Southern supporters steal Imperial regalia.
  • 1445 -- Hosokawa Katsumoto, Kyoto Kanryō.
  • 1446 -- Southern army suffers crushing defeat.
  • 1448 -- Remnants of souther dynasty suppressed.
  • 1449 -- Yoshimasa appointed shogun; Ashikaga Shigeuji appointed Kantō Kubō.
  • 1450-55 -- Disturbances in Kamakura between Kubō and Kanryō.

Events leading up to civil war

A number of decisions lead eventually to armed conflict:

  • 1454 -- Dissension of Hatakeyama succession.
  • 1455 -- Dissention in Kamakura Kubō's line: "Koga Kubō" (1455-1583) established.
  • 1457 -- "Horikoshi Kubō" (1457-91) established.
  • 1458 -- Imperial regalia restored to Northern Court.
  • 1460 -- Hatakeyama rebels against Yoshimasa.
  • 1464 -- Yoshimasa adopts Ashikaga Yoshimi.
  • 1466 -- Yoshihisa born; Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado ascends throne.
  • 1466 -- Dissension over Shiba succession.
  • 1467 -- Oubreak of Ōnin War.

Ōnin War

By 1464, Yoshimasa had no son as heir; and so he adopted his younger brother, Ashikaga Yoshimi, in order to avoid any conflicts which might arise at the end of his shogunate. However, in the next year, Yoshimasa was surprised by the birth of a son. The infant's birth created a conflict between the two brothers over who would follow Yoshimasa as shogun. By 1467 the simmering dispute had evolved, encouraging a split amongst the powerful daimyō and clan factions. The armed conflict which ensued has come to be known as the Ōnin War. This armed contest marks the beginning the Sengoku period of Japanese history, a troubled period of constant military clashes which would last over a century. A number of developments affect the unfolding Ōnin War's battles:

In the midst of on-going hostilities, Yoshimasa retired in 1473. He relinquishes the position of Seii Taishogun to his young son who became the ninth shogun Ashikaga Yoshihisa; but effectively, Yoshimasa continues to hold on to the reigns of power. With the leaders of the two warring factions dead and with the ostensible succession dispute resolved, the rationale for continuing to fight fades away. The exhausted armies dissipate; and by 1477, open warfare is ended.

  • 1477 -- The Ōnin War is considered at an end.

Higashiyam culture

During Yoshimasa's reign Japan saw the growth of Higashiyama Culture, famous for Japanese tea ceremony (Sado), Japanese flower arranging (Kado or Ikebana), Noh Japanese drama, and Indian ink painting. Higashiyama culture was greatly influenced by Zen Buddhism and saw the rise of Japanese aesthetics like Wabi-sabi and the harmonization of imperial court (Kuge) and samurai (Bushi) culture.

In 1489, the retired Yoshimasa built Jishoji Temple (Also known as Ginkaku-ji Temple and Silver Pavilion) in Kyoto, one of the current most famous tourist attractions in the ancient capital.

Eras of Yoshimasa's bakufu

The years in which Yoshimasa was shogan are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.

References

Preceded by:
Ashikaga Yoshikatsu 		Muromachi Shogun:
Ashikaga Yoshimasa
1449–1473 		Succeeded by:
Ashikaga Yoshihisa



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