Ashikaga Yoshimochi

• Born: 1385
• Died: 1428
• Shogun: 1394-1423, 1425-1428
• Japanese: 足利義持 (Ashikaga Yoshimochi)

Ashikaga Yoshimochi was the fourth shogun of the Ashikaga Bakufu, serving as shogun from 1394 to 1423, and again in 1425 to 1428.

Following his father's death in 1408, Yoshimochi severed the formal relations with Ming Dynasty China that his father had established only years before. The Yongle Emperor sent missions in 1417 and 1419 requesting the restoration of relations, but was rebuffed both times.

Following the death of Shogun Ashikaga Yoshikazu in 1425, Yoshimochi returned to the position, until his own death three years later.

References

• Tanaka Takeo, "Japan's Relations with Overseas Countries," in John Whitney Hall and Toyoda Takeshi (eds.) Japan in the Muromachi Age, Cornell University East Asia Program (2001), 159-178.