Ashikaga Yoshiakira

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Ashikaga Yoshiakira

Role / Field:

Second Shōgun of the Ashikaga shogunate, ruling during Japan's tumultuous Muromachi period.

Born:

1330-07-04

Died:

1367-12-28

Century / Era:

1330s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Ashikaga Yoshiakira (足利 義詮; July 4, 1330 – December 28, 1367) was the second shōgun of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1358 to 1367 during the Muromachi period of Japan. Yoshiakira was the son of the founder and first shōgun of the Muromachi shogunate, Ashikaga Takauji. His mother was Akahashi Tōshi (赤橋登子), also known as Hōjō Nariko. His childhood name was Senjuō (千寿王). He spent his childhood in Kamakura as a hostage of the Hōjō clan.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His father Takauji joined forces with the banished Emperor Go-Daigo. Go-Daigo revolted against the Kamakura shogunate in the Kenmu Restoration. Yoshiakira assisted Nitta Yoshisada (1301–1338) in his attack on the Kamakura shogunate. During the Nanboku-cho period, several Loyalist occupations of Kyoto in the 1350s were successfully retaken by Yoshiakira. In 1349, an internal disturbance of the government caused Yoshiakira to be called back to Kyoto, where he found himself named as Takauji's heir.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

On 5 April 1352, Loyalist forces led by Kitabatake Akiyoshi, Kusunoki Masanori and Chigusa Akitsune occupied Kyoto for 20 days before Yoshiakira was able to retake the city. Loyalist forces led by Masanori and Yamana Tokiuji captured Kyoto again in July 1353, but were repulsed by Yoshiakira in August. In January 1355, Loyalist forces led by Momonoi, Tadafuyu, and Yamana captured Kyoto again. However, Kyoto was recaptured on 25 April by Takauji and Yoshiakira's combined forces. Yoshiakira succeeded his father Takauji as Sei-i Taishōgun after his death in 1358.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1301: 1301 Milestone — Yoshiakira assisted Nitta Yoshisada (1301–1338) in his attack on the Kamakura shogunate.
2. 1330 (1330-07-04): Birth of Ashikaga Yoshiakira — Second Shōgun of the Ashikaga shogunate, ruling during Japan's tumultuous Muromachi period.
3. 1349: 1349 Milestone — In 1349, an internal disturbance of the government caused Yoshiakira to be called back to Kyoto, where he found himself named as Takauji's heir.
4. 1352: 1352 Milestone — On 5 April 1352, Loyalist forces led by Kitabatake Akiyoshi, Kusunoki Masanori and Chigusa Akitsune occupied Kyoto for 20 days before Yoshiakira was able to retake the city.
5. 1353: 1353 Milestone — Loyalist forces led by Masanori and Yamana Tokiuji captured Kyoto again in July 1353, but were repulsed by Yoshiakira in August.
6. 1355: 1355 Milestone — In January 1355, Loyalist forces led by Momonoi, Tadafuyu, and Yamana captured Kyoto again.
7. 1358: 1358 Milestone — Yoshiakira succeeded his father Takauji as Sei-i Taishōgun after his death in 1358.
8. 1367 (1367-12-28): Passing & Historical Legacy — Ashikaga Yoshiakira passed away on 1367-12-28, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Ashikaga Yoshiakira

True or False: “Ashikaga Yoshiakira was the first person to rule as Shōgun during the Nanboku-chō period.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): His father, Ashikaga Takauji, established the shogunate's power base, and Yoshiakira succeeded him later.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Ashikaga Yoshiakira