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.

He was the son of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, who retired in 1394, allowing Yoshimochi to succeed him as shogun. Yoshimitsu attempted at that time, however, to have another of Yoshimochi's brothers named Emperor, and himself (Yoshimitsu) named daijô tennô, or Retired Emperor. Yoshimochi put the kibosh on all of these honors, however, and following his father's death in 1408, severed the formal relations with Ming Dynasty China that Yoshimitsu 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.

Preceded by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu	Ashikaga Shogun 1394-1423	Succeeded by Ashikaga Yoshikazu
Preceded by Ashikaga Yoshikazu	Ashikaga Shogun 1425-1428	Succeeded by Ashikaga Yoshinori

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.