Changes

A great soldier and a charismatic leader, the first of the Ashikaga Shôguns etched out a place in Japanese history by giving free rein to his own ambitions and those of the warrior class. Perhaps, given how unwilling the samurai were to relinquish political authority, Takauji was an inevitable figure, and he is often seen as a traitor, opportunist, and even (usually when connected to [[Kusunoki Masashige]]) a villain. Like so many of Japan's great samurai figures, just who Ashikaga Takauji was is really a matter of perspective.

A great soldier and a charismatic leader, the first of the Ashikaga Shôguns etched out a place in Japanese history by giving free rein to his own ambitions and those of the warrior class. Perhaps, given how unwilling the samurai were to relinquish political authority, Takauji was an inevitable figure, and he is often seen as a traitor, opportunist, and even (usually when connected to [[Kusunoki Masashige]]) a villain. Like so many of Japan's great samurai figures, just who Ashikaga Takauji was is really a matter of perspective.

===Jizo and Takauji===

 

Takauji had a bizarre obsession with [[Jizo]], the bodhisattva who vowed not to pass into nirvana until the last soul in hell is redeemed. The Shogun even believed Jizo supported his military exploits. Since Jizo was usually viewed as the guardian of the lower caste

== Jizo and Takauji ==

Takauji had a bizarre obsession with [[Jizo]], the bodhisattva who vowed not to pass into nirvana until the last soul in hell is redeemed. The Shogun even believed Jizo supported his military exploits. Since Jizo was usually viewed as the guardian of the lower castes, it was considered very eccentric for a samurai to be so devoted to him, Kannon and Hachimanare prefered by samurai instead. Takauji drew many pictures of his protector and also frenquently dreamed about Jizo. He radically claimed later in life to be a manifestation of the bodhisattva on Earth.   

<center>

<center>