Tag: Hosokawa

The Road to Kyoto

After conquering Mino Province, Oda Nobunaga needed to not only carve a path to the capital itself, but extend his control over a broad section of the Kansai region.

A Shogunate, If You Can Keep It

The continuing adventures of the ambitious Miyoshi Clan leaders led to a series of destructive conflicts throughout Kansai that eventually left the remnant of the Bakufu wholly dependent upon powerful daimyo to prop up their withering government.

The Puppetmasters

After Hosokawa Masamoto’s assassination, power was once again up for grabs and Ashikaga Yoshitane was determined to once more sit upon the shogunal throne. He was the first in a series of puppet shoguns elevated by ambitious daimyo who wielded power in their names.

The Meio Coup

Season 9, Episode 3: The Meio Coup
A painting of Ashikaga Yoshitane, who was removed from power during the Meio Coup. Source: Public Domain
A portrait of Hosokawa Masamoto, who instigated the Meio Coup which removed Ashikaga Yoshitane from power. Source: Public Domain
A photograph of Ginkaku-ji, the Silver Pavilion in which Ashikaga Yoshimasa spent his final years in retirement. Silver leaf was never added to its exterior in order to preserve the building the way that Yoshimasa himself would have seen it. Source: Oilstreet, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
An ink painting by Sesshu Toyo which marvelously represents Higashiyama style, being both detailed and having a depth of character thanks to ink wash technique. Source: Public Domain

The Kaga Rebellion

Season 9, Episode 2: The Kaga Rebellion
Kaga Province (highlighted in red) was a hotbed of radical Ikko activity in the late 1400s. Source: Ash_Crow, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A portrait of Rennyo, sitting with mala beads and a fan. Though the Ikko followed his teachings, they continually ignored his calls for peace and cooperation. Source: Public Domain
A statue of Rennyo which currently resides in Osaka. Source: The original uploader was Mind meal at English Wikipedia., CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Onin War Part II: The Fire Spreads

As the Onin War continued to ravage the capital, it sparked regional conflicts and forced the Shugo-daimyo and peasants to fend for themselves amid the civil war. When the war was over, the political power of the Shogunate reached an all-time low.

The Onin War, Part I – A Family Dispute

Ashikaga Yoshimasa wanted to retire from the office of Shogun, so he chose his brother Yoshimi to be his successor. In 1465, however, his wife gave birth to a son. As two powerful clans each threw their weight behind a different candidate, war became imminent.