Hosokawa Yoriyuki facts for kids
Hosokawa Yoriyuki (細川 頼之, 1329 – March 25, 1392) was a very important samurai leader from the Hosokawa clan in Japan. He served the Ashikaga shogunate, which was the military government of Japan at the time. Yoriyuki was the first person to hold a special job called Kanrei, or "Shogun's Deputy," in Kyoto. He helped make the shogunate stronger and better organized. He was also in charge of three provinces: Sanuki, Tosa, and Settsu. His childhood name was Yakuro.
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Hosokawa Yoriyuki's Life and Role
Becoming a Key Leader
Yoriyuki was the son of Hosokawa Yoriharu. He became a military commander for the shogunate. He fought against the Yamana clan and won a big victory in 1361. Yoriyuki led the shogunate's armies in many battles. While working for Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiakira, Yoriyuki even defeated his own cousin, Hosokawa Kiyouji, who had joined the other side.
Serving as Shogun's Deputy
In 1367, Yoriyuki was chosen to be the Shogun's Deputy. This happened when Shogun Yoshiakira was very sick. Before he died, Yoshiakira asked Yoriyuki to take care of his young son, Yoshimitsu. The next year, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu became shogun when he was only ten years old. For the next six years, Yoriyuki was his main advisor and minister.
Yoriyuki's leadership was strong and fair. He made sure that the samurai families followed rules and stayed loyal. He wanted to stop anyone who caused trouble. To do this, he created special rules called sumptuary laws. These laws set strict limits on fancy clothes and expensive gifts, like those exchanged on New Year's. He wanted to encourage people to be thrifty and disciplined.
However, when Yoshimitsu grew up, he didn't like these strict rules about saving money. For example, Yoshimitsu's retirement home, the Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), was covered in gold. This shows he didn't care much for being thrifty!
Strengthening the Government
To make the most powerful clans at court more loyal, Yoriyuki created the new job of Kanrei. Before this, the shogun's deputy was called Shitsuji. Yoriyuki suggested that his family, the Hosokawa, should share this important job with the Shiba and Hatakeyama clans. They would take turns holding the position.
He also made sure that people's property rights were protected. This included land owned by families, religious groups, and the Emperor. He wanted the shogunate to have the power to stop warlords from taking these lands by force. Some warlords had been giving orders in the shogunate's name, but Yoriyuki put a stop to that too.
Yoriyuki also helped improve how the shogunate's government worked. Before him, things were often handled personally by the shogun, without much organization. Under Yoriyuki's guidance, clear ways of doing things were set up. This made the government much more organized and efficient.
Even though Yoriyuki made the shogunate much stronger, some other samurai families became angry. They thought he was gaining too much power for himself. In 1379, the shogun asked him to step down from his position.
Family Life
- Father: Hosokawa Yoriharu (1304–1352)
- Mother: Satozawa Zen'in
- Wife: Daughter of Priest Jomyoin
- Adopted Sons:
- Hosokawa Yorimoto (1343–1397)
- Hosokawa Motoyuki
