other · Korea and Japan

Ashikaga shogunate

1336 CE – 1573 CE · capital Kyoto (Muromachi)

The second warrior government of Japan, based in Kyoto's Muromachi district, whose age produced Noh theatre, Zen gardens and the tea ceremony.

Origins

Ashikaga Takauji turned against Emperor Go-Daigo's Kenmu Restoration, took Kyoto in 1336, issued the Kenmu shikimoku as a statement of policy and installed an emperor of the Northern Court, who named him shogun in 1338.

Rule and society

The shoguns ruled through great vassal families serving as provincial military governors (shugo) and deputies (kanrei). Ashikaga Yoshimitsu ended the split between the Northern and Southern Courts in 1392, built the Golden Pavilion and opened tally trade with Ming China. Culture flourished under shogunal patronage: Zeami's Noh, Sesshu's ink painting, Zen temples and the Silver Pavilion of Yoshimasa.

Decline and legacy

The Onin War of 1467 to 1477 shattered shogunal authority and began the Sengoku era of warring lords. Oda Nobunaga drove out the last shogun, Ashikaga Yoshiaki, in 1573.

Lineage

Kenmu Restoration 1333 CE – 1336 CEAshikaga shogunateOda regime 1559 CE – 1582 CE

Connections (5)

  • Northern Court was a protectorate of Ashikaga shogunate1336 CE – 1392 CE
  • Kamakura-fu was part of Ashikaga shogunate1349 CE – 1439 CE
  • Ouchi clan domain was a vassal of Ashikaga shogunate1400 CE – 1551 CE
  • Ashikaga shogunate paid tribute to Ming Empire1404 CE – 1547 CE
  • Kamakura-fu was conquered by Ashikaga shogunate1439 CE

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Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Ashikaga shogunate. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/ashikaga-shogunate
MLA
“Ashikaga shogunate.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/ashikaga-shogunate. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Ashikaga shogunate.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/ashikaga-shogunate.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Ashikaga shogunate’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/ashikaga-shogunate (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻