Muromachi shogunate: last shogun
Ashikaga Yoshiaki
足利義昭
1537 – 1597
Son of Ashikaga Yoshiharu and brother of Yoshiteru. When his brother died suddenly in the Eiroku Rebellion in 1565 (Eiroku 8), Yoshiaki left Ichijō-in of Kōfuku-ji Temple, returned to lay life, and sought refuge with Asakura Yoshikage, entering Ichijodani in Echizen where he came of age. In 1568 (Eiroku 11), he went to Kyoto with the support of Oda Nobunaga and took the rank of Sei-i Taishogun, but soon came into conflict with Nobunaga and was expelled from Kyoto in 1573 (Tenshō 1), effectively ending the Muromachi shogunate. He subsequently relocated to Tomo in Bingo Province under the protection of the Mōri clan, maintaining an exile government known as the "Tomo shogunate." After Toyotomi Hideyoshi unified the realm, Yoshiaki spent his remaining years in Kyoto and Osaka, dying in 1597 (Keicho 2).
Sources 福井県立一乗谷朝倉氏遺跡博物館「朝倉氏の歴史」；高槻市「11．足利義昭の上洛と高槻」；福山市「飛鳥〜安土桃山時代」
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Related events
7
1568
Oda Nobunaga Captures Kannonji Castle
Related figureAdvancing toward Kyoto with Ashikaga Yoshiaki, Oda Nobunaga attacked Kannonji Castle, drove out Rokkaku Yoshikata and his allies, and secured the route to the capital.
1569
Nijō Palace Is Built for Ashikaga Yoshiaki
Principal partyOda Nobunaga expanded the former Buei encampment and built a fortified Nijō palace for Ashikaga Yoshiaki, who had become shogun the previous year.
1571
Month 2
Ashikaga Yoshiaki Seeks Anti-Nobunaga Alliances
Principal partyShogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki worked behind the scenes with daimyos and religious institutions to build a broader political front against Nobunaga.
1572
Month 1
Anti-Nobunaga cooperation continues
Related figureAshikaga Yoshiaki, Azai Nagamasa, Asakura Yoshikage, and the Hongan-ji forces all maintained their opposition to Nobunaga, and political as well as military tension around the Kinai remained high.
Spring
Ashikaga Yoshiaki's diplomacy
Principal partyShogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki continued reaching out to Takeda, Asakura, Azai, Hongan-ji, and other powers in an effort to preserve anti-Nobunaga cooperation.
1573
Month 7
Effective Fall of the Muromachi Shogunate
Related figureWith the expulsion of Ashikaga Yoshiaki, the Ashikaga shogunate's system of control over Kyoto collapsed. This year is generally regarded as the year in which the Muromachi shogunate came to an end.
Month 7
Battle of Makishima Castle
Related figureWhile Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki continued calling on various daimyō to rise against Nobunaga, Oda Nobunaga attacked Makishima Castle near Kyoto. Yoshiaki was defeated, surrendered, and was expelled from Kyoto.
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