Ashikaga Yoshihisa

Quick Facts: Who was Ashikaga Yoshihisa?

Subject:

Ashikaga Yoshihisa

Known for:

Ninth Shōgun of the Ashikaga shogunate during Japan's tumultuous Muromachi period.

Born:

1465-12-11

Died:

1489-04-26

Century / Era:

1465s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Ashikaga Yoshihisa (足利 義尚; December 11, 1465 – April 26, 1489) was the 9th shōgun of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1473 to 1489 during the Muromachi period of Japan. Yoshihisa was the son of the eighth shōgun Ashikaga Yoshimasa with his wife Hino Tomiko. Since the almost 30-year-old shōgun Yoshimasa had no heir by 1464, he adopted his younger brother Ashikaga Yoshimi to succeed him. However, Yoshihisa was born in the next year starting a struggle for succession between brothers that erupted into the Ōnin War starting in 1467, beginning the Sengoku period of Japanese history.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

In the middle of hostilities, Yoshimasa retired in 1473, relinquishing the position of Sei-i Taishōgun to Yoshihisa. Yoshihisa's shogunal administration begins in 1479. The Kaga Rebellion occurs in 1488 in Kaga Province during his reign. The next year, Yoshihisa dies in camp during campaign against Sasaki Takayori; Yoshimasa resumes administration but dies the next year.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

After the Ōnin war, Rokkaku Takayori, daimyō of southern Ōmi Province, seized land and manors owned by nobles of the imperial court, temples, and shrines. In 1487, Yoshihisa led a campaign (Rokkaku Tobatsu) against Takayori but died unexpectedly, leaving no heir. Yoshihisa was followed by his cousin, tenth shōgun Ashikaga Yoshitane, the following year. Father: Ashikaga Yoshimasa Mother: Hino Tomiko Wife: Shōun'in, daughter of Hino Katsumitsu Concubine: daughter of Tokudaiji priest Child: a daughter The years in which Yoshihisa was shōgun are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1464: 1464 Milestone — Since the almost 30-year-old shōgun Yoshimasa had no heir by 1464, he adopted his younger brother Ashikaga Yoshimi to succeed him.
2. 1465 (1465-12-11): Birth of Ashikaga Yoshihisa — Ninth Shōgun of the Ashikaga shogunate during Japan's tumultuous Muromachi period.
3. 1467: 1467 Milestone — However, Yoshihisa was born in the next year starting a struggle for succession between brothers that erupted into the Ōnin War starting in 1467, beginning the Sengoku period of Japanese history.
4. 1473: 1473 Milestone — In the middle of hostilities, Yoshimasa retired in 1473, relinquishing the position of Sei-i Taishōgun to Yoshihisa.
5. 1479: 1479 Milestone — Yoshihisa's shogunal administration begins in 1479.
6. 1487: 1487 Milestone — In 1487, Yoshihisa led a campaign (Rokkaku Tobatsu) against Takayori but died unexpectedly, leaving no heir.
7. 1488: 1488 Milestone — The Kaga Rebellion occurs in 1488 in Kaga Province during his reign.
8. 1489 (1489-04-26): Passing & Historical Legacy — Ashikaga Yoshihisa passed away on 1489-04-26, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Ashikaga Yoshihisa

True or False: “Ashikaga Yoshihisa was able to maintain stable rule over the Ashikaga shogunate throughout his entire reign.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): His reign was marked by intense conflict, notably the Ōnin War and subsequent campaigns against powerful daimyō like Rokkaku Takayori.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Ashikaga Yoshihisa