Ashikaga Yoshiteru

Quick Facts: Who was Ashikaga Yoshiteru?

Subject:

Ashikaga Yoshiteru

Known for:

The 13th Shogun who struggled to maintain authority during Japan's tumultuous late Muromachi period.

Born:

1536-03-31

Died:

1565-06-17

Century / Era:

1536s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Ashikaga Yoshiteru (足利 義輝; March 31, 1536 – June 17, 1565), also known as Yoshifushi or Yoshifuji, was a Japanese samurai, daimyo and the 13th shōgun of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1546 to 1565 during the late Muromachi period of Japan. He was the eldest son of the 12th shōgun, Ashikaga Yoshiharu, and his mother was a daughter of Konoe Hisamichi (later called 慶寿院, Keijuin). When he became shogun in 1546 at age 11, Yoshiteru's name was Yoshifushi (sometimes transliterated as Yoshifuji); but some years later in 1554, he changed his name to the one by which he is conventionally known today. His childhood name was Kikubemaru (菊童丸). His younger brother Ashikaga Yoshiaki became the fifteenth shōgun.

Career & Major Achievements

After his father, Yoshiharu, was forced to retire in 1546 over a political struggle with Hosokawa Harumoto, Yoshiteru became Sei-i Taishōgun, albeit a puppet shōgun like his father. Yoshiteru was only 11 at the time and his investiture ceremony was held at Sakamoto, Ōmi Province, outside Kyoto. Yoshiteru had barely been confirmed as shōgun when his father Yoshiharu made a truce with Harumoto to return to Kyoto. Yet, Harumoto's retainer Miyoshi Nagayoshi parted with Harumoto to take the side of Hosokawa Ujitsuna and the two Hosokawa started a war that drove out Yoshiteru, his father Yoshiharu, and Harumoto as well, from Kyoto. In 1550, Yoshiharu died in Ōmi, unable to return to Kyoto.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1552, Yoshiteru made a peace with Nagayoshi to return to Kyoto. However, the next year, Yoshiteru and Harumoto started a war against Nagayoshi to remove his influence. With the help of Rokkaku Yoshikata, the war initially went well for Yoshiteru but he was driven out of Kyoto again in 1558 with a counterattack from Nagayoshi. Nagayoshi did not press on after the victory to kill Yoshiteru for fear of being accused of killing a shogun, and instead signed a truce to have Yoshiteru back in Kyoto under his influence. Nagayoshi continued as the real power in Kyoto, with Yoshiteru nothing more than a rubber stamp.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1536 (1536-03-31): Birth of Ashikaga Yoshiteru — The 13th Shogun who struggled to maintain authority during Japan's tumultuous late Muromachi period.
2. 1546: 1546 Milestone — When he became shogun in 1546 at age 11, Yoshiteru's name was Yoshifushi (sometimes transliterated as Yoshifuji); but some years later in 1554, he changed his name to the one by which he is conventionally known today.
3. 1550: 1550 Milestone — In 1550, Yoshiharu died in Ōmi, unable to return to Kyoto.
4. 1552: 1552 Milestone — In 1552, Yoshiteru made a peace with Nagayoshi to return to Kyoto.
5. 1558: 1558 Milestone — With the help of Rokkaku Yoshikata, the war initially went well for Yoshiteru but he was driven out of Kyoto again in 1558 with a counterattack from Nagayoshi.
6. 1565 (1565-06-17): Passing & Historical Legacy — Ashikaga Yoshiteru passed away on 1565-06-17, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Ashikaga Yoshiteru

True or False: “Ashikaga Yoshiteru was known for his military prowess, earning him the title 'Kengo Shogun'.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The text explicitly states that due to his inner strength and regular practice of katana skills, he was called the "Kengo shōgun" (剣豪将軍).

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