Ashikaga Yoshiaki

Quick Facts: Who was Ashikaga Yoshiaki?

Subject:

Ashikaga Yoshiaki

Known for:

The 15th Shogun who struggled to maintain the Ashikaga authority against rising warlords.

Born:

1537-12-15

Died:

1597-10-09

Century / Era:

1537s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Ashikaga Yoshiaki (足利 義昭; 5 December 1537 – 19 October 1597) was a Japanese samurai, daimyo and the 15th and final shōgun of the Ashikaga shogunate in Japan who reigned from 1568 to 1573 when he staged a revolt and was overthrown. His father, Ashikaga Yoshiharu, was the twelfth shōgun, and his brother, Ashikaga Yoshiteru, was the thirteenth shōgun. Ashikaga Yoshiaki was born to Ashikaga Yoshiharu on 5 December 1537. He entered Kofuku-ji temple as a monk, but when his older brother Yoshiteru was killed by the Miyoshi clan, he returned to secular life and took the name "Yoshiaki". At the time, the Ashikaga shogunate had been severely weakened; its authority was largely ignored across Japan.

Career & Major Achievements

Regardless, various factions still fought to control the central government, as it still held some prestige despite its diminished status. Ashikaga Yoshiteru attempted to overthrow the Miyoshi who effectively controlled him, but his conspiracies led the Miyoshi and Matsunaga Hisahide to organize a coup d'état as well as force Yoshiteru to commit suicide. They then opted to install Ashikaga Yoshihide as the fourteenth shogun in Kyoto, but were unable to control the capital. In November 21 1567 he was transferred to An'yō-ji Temple in Ichijōdani (present-day Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture), the base of the Asakura clan. In April 15 1568, he came of age and changed his name to Yoshiaki.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

There was no effective central authority in Kyoto until Ashikaga Yoshiaki was able to enlist warlord Oda Nobunaga to support his cause. The Oda armies entered Kyoto in 1568, re-establishing the Muromachi shogunate under Ashikaga Yoshiaki as a puppet shōgun. This marked the beginning of the Azuchi–Momoyama period. Ashikaga Yoshihide, the fourteenth shōgun, was deposed without ever entering the capital. Before long, Yoshiaki became dissatisfied with Oda Nobunaga's overlordship and tried to regain state power.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1537 (1537-12-15): Birth of Ashikaga Yoshiaki — The 15th Shogun who struggled to maintain the Ashikaga authority against rising warlords.
2. 1567: 1567 Milestone — In November 21 1567 he was transferred to An'yō-ji Temple in Ichijōdani (present-day Fukui City, Fukui Prefecture), the base of the Asakura clan.
3. 1568: 1568 Milestone — In April 15 1568, he came of age and changed his name to Yoshiaki.
4. 1597 (1597-10-09): Passing & Historical Legacy — Ashikaga Yoshiaki passed away on 1597-10-09, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Ashikaga Yoshiaki

True or False: “Ashikaga Yoshiaki was immediately recognized as the legitimate ruler of Japan upon his return to Kyoto in 1568.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Although Oda Nobunaga entered Kyoto and re-established the shogunate under him, Ashikaga Yoshihide (the fourteenth shogun) was initially installed before Yoshiaki's full authority was established.

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