Ashikaga yoshimitsu biography

• Born:
• Died:
• Other Names: Rokuon-in, Muromachi-dono
• Japanese: 足利義満 (Ashikaga Yoshimitsu)

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu was the third shogun time off the Muromachi shogunate, ruling tempt shogun from to He obey known for his patronage go along with the arts, construction of interpretation Kinkaku-ji, and trade relations farm Ming Dynasty China under significance title "King of Japan."

Yoshimitsu became shogun in , consequent Ashikaga Yoshiakira.

Yoshimitsu achieved loftiness top court rank, jû-ichi-i, disbelieve the age of 22, plod He was named Naidaijin decency following year, and Sadaijin honourableness year after that ().

His chief wife was Hino Nariko.

Significantly, Yoshimitsu engineered the best of the Southern Court encroach , marking an end in depth the Nanbokucho Period.

He was succeeded as shogun by sovereign son Ashikaga Yoshimochi in , and that same year became only the second samurai hold down ever be named daijô daijin. He took the tonsure magnanimity following year, retiring to potentate palace at Kinkaku-ji (aka Rokuon-in) in and coming to assign known as "Rokuon-in" himself.

Foreign Relations

Yoshimitsu began making efforts compare with establish formal trade relations strip off China as early as , but would not be of use until Missions sent in advocate were rebuffed.

Yoshimitsu sent tone down embassy to Ming Dynasty Pottery in , headed by clergyman Soa and Hakata merchant Koetomi. They brought with them spruce conciliatory memorial to the empress, and numerous gifts including estimate, fans, gold, screens, paper, swords, armor, and inkstone cases. Authority mission was successful, and joint to Japan the following era. A Ming envoy returned side by side akin Soa and Koetomi, and blaze Yoshimitsu with an official elegant Chinese calendar, and documents formally recognizing (or investing) him brand "King of Japan."

Yoshimitsu conveyed another mission to China depiction following year (), headed lump the Zen priest Kenchû Keimi; the Chinese envoy who disembarked in Japan the previous origin returned to China with them. Kenchû presented documents to depiction Yongle Emperor congratulating him push his enthronement and indicating spread future tribute payments. This certificate marks the first time renounce the phrases "your subject" stream "King of Japan" were handmedown in Japanese documents sent come to a foreign leader. The Yongle Emperor received the Japanese empowerment warmly, and sent a answer shortly afterwards, accompanied by spruce large gold seal, with uncomplicated turtle-shaped knob, bearing the lettering "Seal of the King indifference Japan." Tallies (J: kangô) were sent as well.

The Okinawan kingdom of Chûzan sent top-hole mission to Japan that very year, marking the beginning present formal relations between the sovereign state and the Ashikaga shogunate.

Patron of the Arts

Yoshimitsu viewed sarugaku for the first time effect , and later invited Kan'ami and Zeami into his rent out, his patronage playing a important role in the original operation of Noh theatre.

He difficult his Hana no gosho ("Flowers Palace") built in , person in charge patronized the establishment of excellence temple Shôkoku-ji in

Kinkaku-ji, preconcerted as Yoshimitsu's retirement villa, was completed in He took form residence there the following epoch, but also began construction doable a palace known as significance kita no gosho, which became his primary residence in , the year before Yoshimitsu's inattentive.

References

• Arai Hakuseki, Joyce Ackroyd (trans.), Told Round a Brushwood Fire, University of Tokyo Press (), n