Ashikaga Yoshinori Totally Explained

Everything about Ashikaga Yoshinori totally explained

Ashikaga Yoshinori (Jp. 足利義教) (July 12, 1394 – July 12, 1441) was the 6th shogun (rokudai shogun) of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1429 to 1441 during the Muromachi period of Japan. Yoshinori was the son of the third shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.

Shogunal succession

After the death of the fifth shogun Ashikaga Yoshikazu in 1425, the fourth shogun Ashikaga Yoshimochi resumed his role as head of the shogunate. Yoshimochi had no other sons, nor did he name a successor before he himself died in 1428.
Yoshinori became Seii Taishogun on the day of Yoshimochi's death. From amongst the handfull of possible Ashikaga candidates, his name was selected by the shogunal deputy (Kanrei), Hatakeyama Mitsuie, who drew lots in the sanctuary of Iwashimizu Hachiman Shrine in Kyoto; and it was believed that Hachiman's influence had affected this auspicious choice.
Significant events shape the period during which Yoshikazu was shogun:

1429 -- Yoshinori appointed shogun.
1430 -- Southern army surrenders.
1432 -- Akamatsu Mitsusuke flees; Yoshinori receives rescript from China.
1433 -- Ōtomo rebells; Hieizan monks rebel.
1434 -- Tosenbugyo established to regulate foreign affairs.
1436 -- Yasaka Pagoda at Hokanji in Kyoto destroyed by fire.
1438 -- Ashikaga Mochiuji rebels -- Eikyō War.
1439 -- Mochiuji suicides; dissatisfaction with Yoshinori grows.
1440 -- Yasaka Pagoda at Hokanji in Kyoto re-constructed by Yoshinori.
1441 -- Yoshinori grants Shimazu suzerainity over Ryukyu Islands; Akamatsu murders Yoshinori -- Kakitsu Incident; Yamana kills Akamatsu.

Yoshinori strengthened the power of the shogunate after defeating Ashikaga Mochiuji in the Eikyo Rebellion of 1438. During the period, Chinese contacts were increased and Zen Buddhism gained influence, which had broad cultural consequenses. For example, the Hondo or main temple at Ikkyu-ji is today the oldest standing T'ang style temple in Yamashiro (southern Kyoto Prefecture) and Yamato (Nara Prefecture) Provinces . It was built in 1434 and was dedicated by Yoshinori Ashikaga.

Foreign relations

In 1432, trade and diplomatic relations between Japan and China were restored. Both had been discontinued by Yoshimochi. The Chinese emperor reached out to Japan by sending a letter to the shogunate via the kingdom of the Ryukyu Islands; and Yoshinori responded favorably.
According to Mansai Jugo Nikki (満済准后日記), the system of the Tosen-bugyō (唐船奉行) was established in 1434 to mediate oversee trade. The functions of the Tosen-bugyō included: (1) defending trading ships in Japanese waters, (2) procuring export goods, (3) mediating among the Muromachi shogunate and shipping interests, and (4) to manage record-keeping. It is significant that the Muromachi shogunate was the first to appoint the executive officers of the samurai class to high positions in its diplomatic bureaucracy. After Yoshinori's time, the totosen (渡唐船) (the fleet of the ships from Japan to Ming China) consisted of the ships belonging principally to three different kinds of owners: the Muromachi shogun, temples, and the shugo daimyo.

Assassination

Yoshinori was notrious for his oppressive measures and unpredictable dictatorial whims. Yoshinori is assassinated at age 48 by Akamatsu Mitsusuke; and shortly thereafter, it's determined that his 8-year-old son, Yoshikatsu, will become the new Shogun.
Although the Ashikaga line continued through this seventh shogun, the power of the shoguns gradually eroded and the shogunate fell into decline. The mere fact of that assassination and treason had become a reality had served to undercut the previous military ethic of loyalty.

Eras of Yoshinori's bakufu

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

Eikyō (1429-1441)

Kakitsu (1441-1444)Further Information

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