Ōnin War facts for kids
The Ōnin War (応仁の乱, Ōnin no Ran) was a big civil war in Japan. It lasted for ten years, from 1467 to 1477. This war involved many powerful families and leaders across the country.
The conflict started because of a disagreement between two strong leaders, Hosokawa Katsumoto and Yamana Sōzen. Their fight quickly grew into a war that spread throughout Japan. The Ashikaga shogunate, which was the military government at the time, and many daimyo (powerful regional rulers) joined the fighting.
This long war marked the beginning of a very difficult period in Japanese history. It led to many years of fighting as different groups tried to gain control over all of Japan.
Contents
What Caused the Ōnin War?
The main cause of the Ōnin War was a fight over who would become the next shogun. The shogun was the military ruler of Japan. The current shogun, Ashikaga Yoshimasa, did not have a son for a long time. So, he decided his brother, Ashikaga Yoshimi, would be the next shogun.
A New Heir Appears
Later, the shogun had a son named Ashikaga Yoshihisa. This caused a big problem. Now there were two possible heirs to the shogunate. This disagreement split the powerful families in Japan.
The Two Main Rivals
Two of the most powerful daimyo were Hosokawa Katsumoto and Yamana Sōzen. Hosokawa Katsumoto supported the shogun's brother, Yoshimi. Yamana Sōzen supported the shogun's young son, Yoshihisa. These two leaders were already rivals, and the shogun's succession problem made their conflict much worse.
How Did the War Start?
The fighting began in the capital city of Kyoto in 1467. The armies of Hosokawa and Yamana gathered in Kyoto. They built strong defenses and prepared for battle.
Battles in Kyoto
The city of Kyoto became a huge battlefield. Many temples, shrines, and homes were destroyed during the fighting. The war was very destructive for the people living in the capital.
War Spreads Across Japan
The conflict was not just in Kyoto. The powerful daimyo who supported either Hosokawa or Yamana also started fighting in their own regions. This meant the war spread throughout many parts of Japan.
What Happened During the War?
The Ōnin War was a long and tiring conflict. There were many small battles and sieges. Neither side could win a clear victory for a long time.
The Role of Ashigaru Soldiers
Many of the soldiers fighting in the war were Ashigaru. These were foot soldiers who were often common people. They played a big part in the battles.
Leaders Pass Away
Both Hosokawa Katsumoto and Yamana Sōzen died during the war. Even after their deaths, the fighting continued. Their followers kept the conflict going.
How Did the Ōnin War End?
The Ōnin War finally ended in 1477. After ten years of fighting, both sides were exhausted. The war did not have a clear winner.
No Clear Victory
The war ended mostly because the daimyo ran out of resources and soldiers. Many of them simply left Kyoto and returned to their own lands.
The Aftermath of the War
The Ōnin War left Japan in a state of chaos. The Ashikaga shogunate lost much of its power. Many regional daimyo became even stronger. This period of widespread conflict after the Ōnin War is known as the Sengoku period, or the "Warring States period." It lasted for over 100 years.
Related pages
Images for kids
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Situation in 1467. Areas loyal to or allied with Hosokawa Katsumoto in pink, areas loyal to or allied with Yamana Sōzen in light green.
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Painting depicting a battle during the Ōnin War
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See also
In Spanish: Guerra de Ōnin para niños
