Ashikaga facts for kids

Ashikaga (足利) is a name with a lot of history in Japan! It can refer to a famous family of samurai warriors, a powerful government they created, a time period in Japanese history, or even a city in Japan today.

The Ashikaga Clan (Minamoto)

The most well-known Ashikaga clan (足利氏 Ashikaga-shi) was a very important family of samurai warriors. They were descended from the Minamoto clan, another powerful samurai family. This Ashikaga clan played a huge role in shaping Japan's history for many years.

What was the Ashikaga Shogunate?

The Ashikaga clan created a special kind of government called the Ashikaga shogunate (足利幕府 Ashikaga bakufu). A shogunate was a military government led by a powerful general called a Shogun. The Ashikaga shogunate ruled Japan for a long time, from 1336 to 1573. It was a time when military leaders had a lot of power over the country.

The Ashikaga Era

Because the Ashikaga shogunate was so important, the time it ruled is often called the Ashikaga era (足利時代 Ashikaga jidai). This period of Japanese history saw many changes in art, culture, and how the country was governed. It was a time of both peace and conflict.

Another Ashikaga Clan

There was also another, less famous, Ashikaga clan (足利氏 Ashikaga-shi). This family was also a samurai clan, but they were descended from the Fujiwara clan, a different noble family in Japan. It's important to remember that not all families with the same name are related!

Ashikaga City

Ashikaga, Tochigi (足利市 Ashikaga-shi) is a city located in Japan's Tochigi Prefecture. It's a modern city today, but it has deep historical roots connected to the famous Ashikaga clan. The city is known for its historical sites and beautiful natural areas.

See also

In Spanish: Ashikaga para niños

• All pages beginning with Ashikaga
• All pages with titles containing "Ashikaga"
• Northern Court or Ashikaga Pretenders, pretenders to the Japanese imperial throne during the Ashikaga shogunate