Ashikaga shogunate
Ashikaga clan was the most powerful military force in the history of Japan. This clan managed to take control of Japan by using their power and cunning.
The Ashikaga clan was established by the first shogun, Ashikaga Takauji. The period in which they ruled is called the Ashikaga shogunate. It lasted for almost 100 years between 1338 and 1573. During this time, they were able to achieve what no other martial force has ever accomplished in Japan’s history: to become Emperor while at the same time retaining full control over government affairs.
Ashikaga Shogunate’s Influence on Feudalism in Japan
Many historians believe that the Ashikaga era is when feudalism began to take shape in Japan. The era also introduced the samurai, who would eventually become the ruling class of Japan.
The Ashikaga Shogunate marks a turning point in Japan’s history with three major events:
– The end of Japanese imperial rule by Emperor Go-Daigo and his supporters (the Kemmu Restoration)
– The start of Japanese feudalism with the appointment of shoguns as military governors under a divine emperor (Ashikaga Takauji, 1338–1358)
– The rise of samurai as a new ruling class.
The Structure of the Government under the Ashikaga Shogunate
During the Muromachi Period, Buddhism was a dominant force in politics. The Ashikaga family had been appointed as stewards of the Buddhist temples and given power with the condition that they would protect Buddhism.
This power structure was called the “shogunate” and it began to evolve from a period of instability where there were many warring factions vying for power to a period of political stability under the Ashikaga shogunate.
The Ashikaga family ruled over Japan for over 200 years before being overthrown by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, a samurai general who became Shogun after winning a civil war.
Ashikaga Takauji And The Destruction of the Kamakura Bakufu
Takauji was a descendant of the Minamoto clan and became a Buddhist monk.
In 1333, Takauji raised an army and marched to Kyoto. He demanded that the Emperor give him power over Japan. When the Emperor refused, Takauji set out for Kamakura. His army captured the capital and killed the shogun, Hōjō Takatoki.
Takauji appointed himself a shogun, but he would rule only until 1335 when he retired in favor of his son Ashikaga Tadayoshi.
The Ashikaga clan legacy
The Ashikaga clan was a Japanese samurai clan that ruled the country from 1338 to 1573. The Ashikaga period is considered to be one of the most turbulent and violent in Japan’s history.
The Ashikaga clan was founded by Emperor Go-Daigo in 1288 when he split the country in two, creating a Northern Court and a Southern Court.
In 1338, Emperor Go-Daigo’s grandson, Prince Morinaga, moved his headquarters from Kyoto to Yoshino in modern-day Nara prefecture.
This move marks the beginning of the Ashikaga clan’s reign over Japan.
Prince Moriyoshi or Morinaga became known as “the Tiger of Yoshino” due to his military prowess and leadership abilities during this time.
The Battle Of Minatogawa And The End of the Ashikaga Shogunate
The Battle of Minatogawa and the end of the Ashikaga Shogunate in 1573 marked a significant change in power.
The Battle of Minatogawa was a pivotal war fought between the forces of Takashi Kobayakawa and those led by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. The battle was a decisive victory for Hideyoshi, who went on to establish himself as the ruler of Japan.
Hideyoshi’s victory at this battle marked a significant change in power as feudal lords from all over Japan pledged their allegiance to him following his success. He took up residence at Edo Castle and became known as “the second shogun.”
