Ashikaga Yoshiakira facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ashikaga Yoshiakira
足利 義詮 |
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| Shōgun | |
| In office 1358–1367 |
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| Monarch | Go-Murakami |
| Preceded by | Ashikaga Takauji |
| Succeeded by | Ashikaga Yoshimitsu |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 4, 1330 |
| Died | December 28, 1367 (aged 37) |
| Spouse | Shibukawa Kōshi |
| Children | |
| Parents |
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| Signature |  |
Ashikaga Yoshiakira (error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)) was a powerful leader in Japan. He was the second shōgun (a military ruler) of the Ashikaga shogunate. He ruled from 1358 to 1367 during a time in Japanese history called the Muromachi period.
Yoshiakira was the son of Ashikaga Takauji, who started the Ashikaga shogunate. His mother was Akahashi Tōshi.
As a child, Yoshiakira was known as Senjuō (千寿王). He lived in Kamakura for a while. This was because he was held as a hostage by the Hōjō clan, another powerful family.
His father, Takauji, joined forces with Emperor Go-Daigo. The Emperor wanted to take power back from the Kamakura shogunate. This event was known as the Kenmu Restoration. Yoshiakira helped in the fight against the Kamakura shogunate.
During the Nanboku-chō period (a time when Japan had two rival imperial courts), Yoshiakira successfully took back Kyoto many times. Kyoto was the capital city.
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Becoming Shōgun: A New Leader
In 1349, Yoshiakira was called back to Kyoto. There, he was chosen to be his father's heir. This meant he would take over as shōgun after his father.
On April 5, 1352, forces loyal to the Southern Court attacked Kyoto. Leaders like Kitabatake Akiyoshi and Kusunoki Masanori took control of the city for 20 days. But Yoshiakira managed to get it back.
Later, in July 1353, the loyalist forces captured Kyoto again. Yoshiakira pushed them back in August. In January 1355, Kyoto was taken a third time by different loyalist groups. However, on April 25, his father Takauji and Yoshiakira worked together to recapture Kyoto.
When his father Takauji died in 1358, Yoshiakira officially became the Sei-i Taishōgun. This was the highest military rank in Japan.
Challenges and Changes
After Yoshiakira became shōgun, some people in the government disagreed with his rule. This caused some problems and people left the shogunate.
In 1362, Hosokawa Kiyouji and Kusunoki Masanori attacked Kyoto again. Yoshiakira had to flee the city. But he quickly regained control of the capital within 20 days.
In 1365, Prince Kaneyoshi, a son of Emperor Go-Daigo, gained control of Kyushu. Prince Kaneyoshi was a leader of the Southern Court, which was a rival to the Ashikaga shogunate.
In 1367, Yoshiakira became very ill. He decided to give up his position as shōgun to his son.
His Legacy
Yoshiakira passed away in 1367. A few months later, his son, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, became the third shōgun in 1368.
After his death, Yoshiakira was given the special name Hōkyōin (error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)). His grave is located at Tōji-in in Kyoto, right next to his father's grave.
Family Life
Yoshiakira's parents were Ashikaga Takauji and Akahashi Toshi.
He had a wife named Shibukawa Koshi. He also had a concubine (another partner) named Ki no Yoshiko.
His children included:
- Senju-ō (with Shibukawa Koshi)
- Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (with Ki no Yoshiko), who later became the third shōgun.
- Ashikaga Mitsukaira (with Ki no Yoshiko)
- Seiso (with Ki no Yoshiko)
Eras of His Rule
In Japan, years are also named after special eras called nengō. During Yoshiakira's time as shōgun, there were two different courts, the Southern Court and the Northern Court. Each court used its own era names.
- Southern Court Eras:
* Shōhei (1346–1370)
- Northern Court Eras:
* Enbun (1356–1361) * Kōan (1361–1362) * Jōji (1362–1368)
See Also
In Spanish: Ashikaga Yoshiakira para niños
- Ashikaga Tadayoshi, Yoshiakira's uncle.
| Preceded by Ashikaga Takauji |
Shōgun: Ashikaga Yoshiakira 1358–1367 |
Succeeded by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu |
