Ashikaga Yoshinori - Shogunal Succession

Shogunal Succession

After the death of the fifth shogun Ashikaga Yoshikazu in 1425, the fourth shogun Ashikaga Yoshimochi resumed his role as head of the shogunate. Yoshimochi had no other sons, nor did he name a successor before he himself died in 1428.

Yoshinori, who had been a Buddhist monk since the age of ten, became Seii Taishogun on the day of Yoshimochi's death. From amongst the handful of possible Ashikaga candidates, his name was selected by the shogunal deputy (Kanrei), Hatakeyama Mitsuie, who drew lots in the sanctuary of Iwashimizu Hachiman Shrine in Kyoto; and it was believed that Hachiman's influence had affected this auspicious choice.

Significant events which shaped the period during which Yoshinori was shogun:

• 1429 – Yoshinori appointed shogun.
• 1430 – The Southern Court's army surrenders.
• 1432 – Akamatsu Mitsusuke flees; Yoshinori receives rescript from China.
• 1433 – Ōtomo rebells; Hieizan monks rebel.
• 1434 – Tosen bugyō established to regulate foreign affairs.
• 1436 – Yasaka Pagoda at Hokanji in Kyoto destroyed by fire.
• 1438 – Kantō kubō Ashikaga Mochiuji rebels – Eikyō Rebellion.
• 1439 – Mochiuji commits suicide; dissatisfaction with Yoshinori grows.
• 1440 – Yasaka Pagoda at Hokanji in Kyoto re-constructed by Yoshinori.
• 1441 – Yoshinori grants Shimazu suzerainty over the Ryūkyū Islands; Akamatsu murders Yoshinori – Kakitsu Incident; Yamana kills Akamatsu.

Yoshinori strengthened the power of the shogunate by defeating Ashikaga Mochiuji in the Eikyo Rebellion of 1438. During the period, Chinese contacts were increased and Zen Buddhism gained influence, which had broad cultural consequences. For example, the Hon-dō or main hall at Ikkyu-ji is today the oldest standing T'ang style temple in the Yamashiro (southern Kyoto Prefecture) and Yamato (Nara Prefecture) Provinces. It was built in 1434 and was dedicated by Yoshinori.