Kō no Moroyasu facts for kids
Kō no Moroyasu (高 師泰) was an important general who lived in Japan a long time ago. He was a key leader for Shōgun Ashikaga Takauji during a period called the Nanboku-chō period. This was a time when Japan had two rival imperial courts. Moroyasu worked closely with his brother Moronao and his cousin Morofuyu. He died on March 25, 1351.
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Early Battles and Rise to Power
In 1335, Moroyasu was sent from Kamakura, an important city at the time, with a large army. His mission was to help the Shōgun control the western parts of Japan. He also prepared for more attacks to make the Shōgun's power even stronger.
However, the Imperial Court, which was another powerful group, sent its own army to fight against the Shogunate. This army, led by Nitta Yoshisada, specifically targeted Moroyasu and his brother Moronao. They fought several small battles. Even though Moroyasu's army got more soldiers from Ashikaga Tadayoshi, they were defeated and had to retreat into the Hakone Mountains.
More battles happened in the Hakone Mountains. Eventually, the Shōgun arrived with even more soldiers. This helped Moroyasu's side win, and Nitta's Imperial army was defeated.
The Kō Brothers and Their Impact
The Taiheiki, an old Japanese story about this time, describes the Kō brothers as very difficult people. This is probably true. Both Moroyasu and Moronao were very helpful to Shōgun Takauji. But because they were often violent, they also made many powerful enemies.
Moronao, in particular, strongly disagreed with Takauji's younger brother, Tadayoshi, and his ideas. This disagreement caused a big civil war called the Kannō Disturbance. This war was very damaging for the whole country.
End of Their Lives
Even though Shōgun Takauji eventually won the war, he was first defeated by Tadayoshi in March 1351. They agreed to a truce, which is like a peace agreement. A Zen Buddhist master named Musō Soseki helped them make this truce.
One of the conditions for peace was that the Kō brothers, Moroyasu and Moronao, had to leave politics forever and become monks. They agreed to this. Moronao became a Zen monk, and Moroyasu joined a Buddhist group called Nembutsu.
Later, they left Hyōgo to go to Kyoto with Shōgun Takauji. But they never made it to Kyoto. On March 25, 1351, the Kō brothers were captured and killed at the Muko River. Many of their family members were also killed. This was done by forces led by Uesugi Akiyoshi, who wanted revenge because the Kō brothers had killed his father. Shōgun Takauji could not do anything to stop it and had to hand them over to Akiyoshi.
See also
- Siege of Kanegasaki (1337)
