Ashikaga clan

Emperor Go-Daigo (1288–1339) destroyed the Kamakura shogunate in 1333, but was unable to control the unrest produced. The emperor's inefficient rule led to one of his greatest generals, Ashikaga Takauji (1305–1358), to betray him in 1335. This established the Northern Court, named after its location in Kyoto, which was north of Go-Daigo's court. The conflict between Go-Daigo and the Ashikaga clan is known as the Northern and Southern Courts disturbance (南北朝の動乱). In 1392, the Southern Court surrendered to the third shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (1358–1408). ==Notable Shōgun==

The Ashikaga clan had 15 Shōguns from 1333 to 1573. Some were more powerful or prominent than others. Ashikaga Yoshimitsu was the third shogun of the Ashikaga clan. He made the Ashikaga Shogunate strong and stable. Ashikaga Yoshimitsu was responsible for the defeat of the Southern Court in 1392. Known for his patronage of the arts, he constructed the Kinkaku-ji in 1397. Yoshimitsu also expanded foreign relations with Ming China. Yoshimitsu sent an embassy to Ming Dynasty China in 1401, headed by priest Soa and Hakata merchant Koetomi. They brought with them a conciliatory memorial to the emperor, and numerous gifts including horses, fans, gold, screens, paper, swords, armor, and inkstone cases. The mission was successful, and returned to Japan the following year. A Ming envoy returned alongside Soa and Koetomi, and presented Yoshimitsu with an official imperial Chinese calendar, and documents officially recognizing (or investing) him as "King of Japan." After the death of Yoshimitsu, the Ashikaga Shogunate lost power and influence. In 1429, Ashikaga Yoshinori, the sixth shogun, adapted Yoshimitsu's policies in order to strengthen the power of the Shogunate. He wanted to increase military power but faced opposition. His 12-year reign saw the restoration of diplomatic ties and trade between Japan and China that had been the fourth Shogun, Yoshimochi's undertaking. Ashikaga Yoshiaki was the 15th and last Shogun. He came into power in 1568 with the help of the general Oda Nobunaga. After rivalry emerged between the two, Nobunaga defeated Yoshiaki and banished him from Kyoto. This effectively ended the rule of the Ashikaga clan in 1573. ==Clan heads==

1. Ashikaga Yoshiyasu 2. Ashikaga Yoshikane 3. Ashikaga Yoshiuji 4. Ashikaga Yasuuji 5. Ashikaga Yoriuji 6. Ashikaga Ietoki 7. Ashikaga Sadauji 8. Ashikaga Takauji Samurai, Daimyōs and Shōguns 1. Ashikaga Takauji 2. Ashikaga Yoshiakira 3. Ashikaga Yoshimitsu 4. Ashikaga Yoshimochi 5. Ashikaga Yoshikazu 6. Ashikaga Yoshinori 7. Ashikaga Yoshikatsu 8. Ashikaga Yoshimasa 9. Ashikaga Yoshihisa 10. Ashikaga Yoshitane 11. Ashikaga Yoshizumi 12. Ashikaga Yoshiharu 13. Ashikaga Yoshiteru 14. Ashikaga Yoshihide 15 Ashikaga Yoshiaki Notable • Ashikaga Chachamaru • Ashikaga Masatomo • Ashikaga Mitsukane • Ashikaga Mochiuji • Ashikaga Motouji • Ashikaga Satouji • Ashikaga Shigeuji • Ashikaga Tadafuyu • Ashikaga Tadayoshi • Ashikaga Tadatsuna • Ashikaga Ujimitsu • Ashikaga Yoshimi ==Family tree==