Tag: Shogun

The Fall of the Ashikaga

Beleaguered and surrounded by enemies, Oda Nobunaga nearly fell into a deadly trap while seeking battle against the Asakura Clan of northern Omi Province. Then the Takeda Clan started stabbing westward, seeking to liberate the shogun from the grasp of Nobunaga. The drama would end, however, with Yoshiaki’s removal and subsequent exile from Kyoto, thus marking the end of the Ashikaga Shogunate.

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 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

Rebuilding Kyoto

Season 9, Episode 1: Rebuilding Kyoto
A painting of Shogun Ashikaga Yoshihisa, artist unknown. Yoshihisa would lead a short but active life as Shogun, but died at the age of 25 in 1489. Source: Public Domain
Yamashiro Province (shown in red) is home to Kyoto and experienced a series of peasant uprisings after the Onin War. Source: Ash_Crow, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A drawing of Hatakeyama Yoshinari, the elder cousin of Hatakeyama Masanaga who sustained a long-term conflict over leadership of the Hatakeyama Clan as well as the rightful inheritor of the office of Kanrei. Source: Musuketeer.3, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The crest (mon) of the Rokkaku Clan, who rebelled against the Shogunate and then waged a long-term guerilla war against the Hokoshu. Source: Public Domain
Omi Province (shown in red) was the Rokkaku Clan’s home province and it was here that Shogun Ashikaga Yoshihisa died encamped against them. Source: Ash_Crow, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Pax Ashikaga

In the closing years of the reign of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the Shogun would continue to reach ever higher for honors and titles which were usually reserved for sovereigns. He would also continue to refine Japan’s aesthetic tastes by patronizing Noh performances.

Minamoto Yoritomo – The Man of the Hour

Season 7, Episode 3: Minamoto Yoritomo – The Man of the Hour
A painting of Hojo Tokimasa. Note the bearskin boots, tachi sword, and bow. Artist: Utagawa Yoshitora Source: Public Domain
The area known as Fujino, where the Fuji no Makigari took place. Note the vast expanse of forest that covers the feet of Mount Fuji looming above. Source: Alpsdake, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
An illustrated page from the Soga Monogatari (The Tale of the Soga Brothers). In this panel, they are enacting their revenge by killing Kudo Suketsune. Artist: Utagawa Hiroshige. Source: Public Domain
An illustration of the aftermath of the Soga brothers’ assassination. In the background, the base of Mount Fuji can be seen. Artist: Utagawa Yoshitora. Source: Public Domain
Soga Tokimune being held back by Gosho Goromaru. Artist: Tsukioka Yoshitoshi. Source: Public Domain
A collage of images from the Fuji no Makigari procession of the Yokkaichi Festival, celebrated in Mie Prefecture. Children dressed as samurai shoot arrows into a papier-mache wild boar. Source: Hamadakko, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Seii-Tai-Shogun

Season 7, Episode 2: Seii-Tai-Shogun
When Yoritomo called Retired Emperor Go-Shirakawa a “Goblin,” he was referring to mischievous Japanese spirits called “Tengu.” Pictured above is one such Tengu, menacing an elephant. Public Domain
Emperor Go-Toba, whose original coronation did not include the Imperial Regalia. Public Domain
Minamoto Michichika, the leader of the anti-Bakufu faction who ousted Fujiwara Kanezane from the office of Kampaku. Public Domain
Fujiwara Kanezane, also called Kujo Kanezane, who was removed from his position at court with Yoritomo’s consent. Public Domain