Changes

[[Image:Ashikaga_takauji.jpg||thumb|right|Ashikaga Takauji.]]

[[Image:Ashikaga_takauji.jpg||thumb|right|Ashikaga Takauji.]]

Few figures in Japanese history are as controversial as Ashikaga Takauji, a man whose actions brought down the [[Hojo clan|Hojo]] Shikken, made the dream of Imperial restoration a reality and then tore down that dream in a war that would leave the Court divided and the country in the hands of a new warrior government.

Few figures in Japanese history are as controversial as Ashikaga Takauji, a man whose actions brought down the [[Hojo clan (Hojo Regents)|Hôjô]] ''[[Shikken]]'', made the dream of Imperial restoration a reality and then tore down that dream in a war that would leave the Court divided and the country in the hands of a new warrior government.

==The Ashikaga clan==

==The Ashikaga clan==

In [[1331]], as [[Emperor Go-Daigo]] was preparing to throw off the yoke of Kamakura rule, Takauji was a powerful landholder in the Kanto region. His clan, the [[Ashikaga clan|Ashikaga]], was of Seiwa Genji stock, the same branch of the [[Minamoto clan|Minamoto]] family that had produced [[Minamoto Yoritomo|Yoritomo]]. [[Minamoto Yoriyasu]] (? – [[1157]]), grandson of [[Minamoto Yoshiie]], had settled in [[Shimotsuke province|Shimotsuke]] and taken the name of his holding: Ashikaga-no-sho. Yoshiyasu's son [[Ashikaga Yoshikane]] (? – [[1199]]) had joined Minamoto Yoritomo in [[1180]] and served him in the [[Gempei War]]. Yoshikane also happened to be married to a daughter of [[Hojo Tokimasa]], and so the Ashikaga thrived in the years following Yoritomo's death in [[1199]]. In fact, five of the next seven generations of Ashikaga leaders would marry Hojo ladies, to include Takauji (Takauji, however, was not of Hojo blood-his mother had happened to be of the [[Uesugi clan|Uesugi]] house). By [[1331]] the Ashikaga had grown and branched out, with Ashikaga lines to be found in [[Mutsu province|Mutsu]], Shimotsuke, [[Kozuke province|Kozuke]], [[Sagami province|Sagami]], [[Mikawa province|Mikawa]], [[Mimasaka province|Mimasaka]], and the Kinai region, under such later familiar names as [[Imagawa clan|Imagawa]], [[Hosokawa clan|Hosokawa]], [[Hatakeyama clan|Hatakeyama]], and [[Shiba clan|Shiba]].

In [[1331]], as [[Emperor Go-Daigo]] was preparing to throw off the yoke of [[Kamakura shogunate|Kamakura rule]], Takauji was a powerful landholder in the Kantô region. His clan, the [[Ashikaga clan|Ashikaga]], was of [[Seiwa Genji]] stock, the same branch of the [[Minamoto clan|Minamoto]] family that had produced [[Minamoto no Yoritomo|Yoritomo]]. [[Minamoto Yoriyasu]] (d. [[1157]]), grandson of [[Minamoto Yoshiie]], had settled in [[Shimotsuke province|Shimotsuke]] and taken the name of his holding: Ashikaga-no-sho. Yoshiyasu's son [[Ashikaga Yoshikane]] (d. [[1199]]) had joined Minamoto no Yoritomo in [[1180]] and served him in the [[Genpei War]]. Yoshikane also happened to be married to a daughter of [[Hojo Tokimasa|Hôjô Tokimasa]], and so the Ashikaga thrived in the years following Yoritomo's death in [[1199]]. In fact, five of the next seven generations of Ashikaga leaders would marry Hôjô ladies, to include Takauji (Takauji, however, was not of Hôjô blood-his mother was of the [[Uesugi clan|Uesugi]] house). By [[1331]] the Ashikaga had grown and branched out, with Ashikaga lines to be found in [[Mutsu province|Mutsu]], Shimotsuke, [[Kozuke province|Kôzuke]], [[Sagami province|Sagami]], [[Mikawa province|Mikawa]], [[Mimasaka province|Mimasaka]], and the Kinai region, under such later familiar names as [[Imagawa clan|Imagawa]], [[Hosokawa clan|Hosokawa]], [[Hatakeyama clan|Hatakeyama]], and [[Shiba clan|Shiba]].

Respected by the Hojo, Takauji was among those men quickly dispatched east after the news of Go-Daigo's rebellion reached Kamakura. In October Takauji joined in the Bakufu's assault on Kasagi, which led to the apprehension of Go-Daigo.

Respected by the Hôjô, Takauji was among those men quickly dispatched east after the news of Go-Daigo's rebellion reached Kamakura. In October Takauji joined in the Bakufu's assault on Kasagi, which led to the apprehension of Go-Daigo.

In Spring [[1333]] Go-Daigo escaped exile on [[Oki province|Oki Island]] and returned to the mainland, buoyed by the activities of [[Kusunoki Masashige]], who presently holding off Bakufu troops at Chihaya fort, on Mt. Kongo. Determined to end this attempt at Imperial restoration once and for all, the Hojo Shikken, Takatoki ordered two powerful armies to join in the war. One of these hosts was under the control of Ashikaga Takauji, which departed from Kamakura, the other being led by a certain Nagaoshi Takaie. Loyalist samurai of the Akamatsu clan ambushed Nagaoshi's force and Nagaoshi himself was killed. This reverse left Takauji the most powerful Bakufu commander now operating in the field. Gathering up allies as he moved, Takauji arrived in [[Tamba province|Tamba]], a province controlled by Takauji's relatives the Uesugi, at the beginning of June. At this point, Takauji probably could have added his men to those already pressing the loyalists and ended Go-Daigo's rebellion. Instead, Takauji declared for the Imperial cause and in mid-June attacked Kyoto.

In Spring [[1333]] Go-Daigo escaped exile on [[Oki province|Oki Island]] and returned to the mainland, buoyed by the activities of [[Kusunoki Masashige]], who was holding off Bakufu troops at Chihaya fort, on Mt. Kongo. Determined to end this attempt at Imperial restoration once and for all, Regent [[Hojo Takatoki|Hôjô Takatoki]] ordered two powerful armies to join in the war. One of these hosts was under the control of Ashikaga Takauji, which departed from Kamakura, the other being led by a certain [[Nagaoshi Takaie]]. Loyalist samurai of the Akamatsu clan ambushed Nagaoshi's force and Nagaoshi himself was killed. This reverse left Takauji the most powerful Bakufu commander now operating in the field. Gathering up allies as he moved, Takauji arrived in [[Tamba province|Tamba]], a province controlled by Takauji's relatives the Uesugi, at the beginning of June. At this point, Takauji probably could have added his men to those already pressing the loyalists and ended Go-Daigo's rebellion. Instead, Takauji declared for the Imperial cause and in mid-June attacked Kyoto.

In all probability, Takauji had planned on changing sides as soon as he received his orders to march west, in part due to perceived slights by the Hojo. His army was largely composed of warriors whose chiefs had familial ties to the Ashikaga and his decision to march straight to Tamba first was no doubt significant. The reasons Takauji had for rebellion ranged from personal ambition to a growing dislike of the Hojo: he came from a family with stronger blood then the Hojo and resented being treated like a vassal.

In all probability, Takauji had planned on changing sides as soon as he received his orders to march west, in part due to perceived slights by the Hôjô. His army was largely composed of warriors whose chiefs had familial ties to the Ashikaga and his decision to march straight to Tamba first was no doubt significant. The reasons Takauji had for rebellion ranged from personal ambition to a growing dislike of the Hôjô: he came from a family with stronger blood then the Hôjô and resented being treated like a vassal.

==In Support of Emperor Go-Daigo==

==In Support of Emperor Go-Daigo==

Even before he had reached Tamba, Takauji had received a letter from Go-Daigo expressing the hope that the Ashikaga would turn on the Hojo. This letter, in effect, legitimized any treasonous thoughts Takauji may have had, coming as it did from an Imperial hand. Takauji had therefore bypassed Kyoto and sent out secret messages to his allies alerting them to his intentions.

Even before he had reached Tamba, Takauji had received a letter from Go-Daigo expressing the hope that the Ashikaga would turn on the Hôjô. This letter, in effect, legitimized any treasonous thoughts Takauji may have had, coming as it did from an Imperial hand. Takauji had therefore bypassed Kyoto and sent out secret messages to his allies alerting them to his intentions.

Takauji's forces easily secured Kyoto, allowing Go-Daigo to return to the capital in July. At the same time, [[Nitta Yoshisada]] of Kozuke rose up and attacked Kamakura, bringing an end to the Hojo Shikken as the city burned and [[Hojo Takatoki]] committed suicide. To the delight of the Court, power had been restored to the throne.

Takauji's forces easily secured Kyoto, allowing Go-Daigo to return to the capital in July. At the same time, [[Nitta Yoshisada]] of Kôzuke rose up and attacked Kamakura, bringing an end to the Hôjô regency as the city burned and Hôjô Takatoki committed suicide. To the delight of the Court, power had been restored to the throne.

Go-Daigo, however, owed his success to the efforts of those military men who had supported him. At the same time, the Court demanded it's share of the spoils and this led to a precarious balancing act that revealed the weaknesses of Go-Daigo's new government. Chief among these failings was an apparent naiveté as regards the samurai class, that even though they had been supreme in Japan for centuries, they might be expected to take back seat to the nobility. While the average samurai revered the emperor (a fact generally ignored in western histories), this sense of obligation and filial respect by no means translated to include the rest of the court.

Go-Daigo, however, owed his success to the efforts of those military men who had supported him. At the same time, the Court demanded it's share of the spoils and this led to a precarious balancing act that revealed the weaknesses of Go-Daigo's new government. Chief among these failings was an apparent naiveté as regards the samurai class, that even though they had been supreme in Japan for centuries, they might be expected to take back seat to the nobility. While the average samurai revered the emperor (a fact generally ignored in western histories), this sense of obligation and filial respect by no means translated to include the rest of the court.

==Reorganization in the Capital==

==Reorganization in the Capital==

Following the destruction of the Hojo's political institutions in Kyoto, Takauji created an office in the capital, the Bugyo-sho (or, roughly, Commissioner's Office). The Bugyo-sho was responsible for the governing of the city, and through it's offices Takauji assumed the right to dole out rewards and appointments to his men. Go-Daigo must have chafed at Takauji's noticeable presence in Kyoto, but initially the two men worked together with some modicum of mutual respect. Takauji was in fact amply rewarded by the emperor for his services, and was named the shugo of Musashi and given considerable influence in two other provinces, was granted the courtly title of the Fourth Rank, Junior Grade, and the position Chinjufu Shôgun. The last, which translates as 'general of the northern pacification command' was actually a consolation prize-Takauji had asked for the title of Shôgun, in effect an official acknowledgment that he was the realm's foremost soldier. Go-Daigo might have been wise to give him what he wanted, but this he did not do, perhaps fearing (not without cause) that Takauji would become a new [[Taira Kiyomori]]. In addition, there can be no doubt that Go-Daigo's other prominent general, Nitta Yoshisada, made every effort to hinder Takauji's ambitions. The [[Nitta clan|Nitta]], a hither-to relatively obscure family that had suffered by not joining [[Minamoto Yoritomo]] in the Gempei War, were now famous throughout the realm. Yoshisada, already a rival of Takauji, had no intention of coming under the Ashikaga's thumb.

Following the destruction of the Hôjô's political institutions in Kyoto, Takauji created an office in the capital, the Bugyô-sho (or, roughly, Commissioner's Office). The Bugyô-sho was responsible for the governing of the city, and through its offices Takauji assumed the right to dole out rewards and appointments to his men. Go-Daigo must have chafed at Takauji's noticeable presence in Kyoto, but initially the two men worked together with some modicum of mutual respect. Takauji was in fact amply rewarded by the emperor for his services, and was named the ''[[shugo]]'' of Musashi and given considerable influence in two other provinces, was granted the courtly title of the Fourth Rank, Junior Grade, and the position Chinjufu Shôgun. The last, which translates as 'general of the northern pacification command' was actually a consolation prize - Takauji had asked for the title of Shôgun, in effect an official acknowledgment that he was the realm's foremost soldier. Go-Daigo might have been wise to give him what he wanted, but this he did not do, perhaps fearing (not without cause) that Takauji would become a new [[Taira no Kiyomori]]. In addition, there can be no doubt that Go-Daigo's other prominent general, Nitta Yoshisada, made every effort to hinder Takauji's ambitions. The [[Nitta clan|Nitta]], a hither-to relatively obscure family that had suffered by not joining Minamoto no Yoritomo in the Genpei War, were now famous throughout the realm. Yoshisada, already a rival of Takauji, had no intention of coming under the Ashikaga's thumb.

Tension began to grow as Go-Daigo attempted to juggle the wants of the samurai with the suddenly unchained desires of the nobility. No doubt to Takauji's chagrin, the coveted rank of Shôgun was given to Prince [[Morinaga]] (and later Prince [[Norinaga]]), and the Hojo's now vacant lands were handed out almost capriciously. It would appear that Go-Daigo's earliest rewards were on the inordinate side, and after assigning considerable chunks of land to the nobility, many deserving warriors were rewarded either inadequately or not at all. Go-Daigo faced the same dangerous predicament the Hojo had found itself in after the Mongol Invasions, with similar results.

Tension began to grow as Go-Daigo attempted to juggle the wants of the samurai with the suddenly unchained desires of the nobility. No doubt to Takauji's chagrin, the coveted rank of Shôgun was given to [[Prince Morinaga]] (and later [[Prince Norinaga]]), and the Hôjô's now vacant lands were handed out almost capriciously. It would appear that Go-Daigo's earliest rewards were on the inordinate side, and after assigning considerable chunks of land to the nobility, many deserving warriors were rewarded either inadequately or not at all. Go-Daigo faced the same dangerous predicament the Hôjô had found itself in after the [[Mongol Invasions]], with similar results.

[[1334]] was largely taken up by reorganization, although Takauji was careful to stay in step with the emperor. To this end he was ably assisted by his brother Tadayoshi, a gifted and unscrupulous political schemer. When Go-Daigo announced that Prince Norinaga was being sent to Kamakura, Takauji arranged for Tadayoshi to go along as his military guardian. Later in the year, Prince Morinaga, who had been residing in Yoshino up until now, returned to Kyoto and soon rumors began flying that he was plotting against Takauji. Takauji confronted Go-Daigo about the matter, and after the latter protested his own innocence, Morinaga was arrested. The action was certainly a controversial one-it had been Morinaga's letters that had drawn many warriors onto Go-Daigo's side in the first place, and the Prince was well liked. Perhaps fearing that Morinaga's imprisonment would stir up trouble in the capital, the Prince was sent to Kamakura.

[[1334]] was largely taken up by reorganization, although Takauji was careful to stay in step with the emperor. To this end he was ably assisted by his brother Tadayoshi, a gifted and unscrupulous political schemer. When Go-Daigo announced that Prince Norinaga was being sent to Kamakura, Takauji arranged for Tadayoshi to go along as his military guardian. Later in the year, Prince Morinaga, who had been residing in Yoshino up until now, returned to Kyoto and soon rumors began flying that he was plotting against Takauji. Takauji confronted Go-Daigo about the matter, and after the latter protested his own innocence, Morinaga was arrested. The action was certainly a controversial one-it had been Morinaga's letters that had drawn many warriors onto Go-Daigo's side in the first place, and the Prince was well liked. Perhaps fearing that Morinaga's imprisonment would stir up trouble in the capital, the Prince was sent to Kamakura.

In [[1335]] [[Hojo Tokiyuki]], a son of Takatoki, rose up and attacked Kamakura. The event created a considerable panic, and Go-Daigo's administrators Kamakura was abandoned and in the course of the chaotic flight, Tadayoshi saw to it that Morinaga was murdered. A better back-room dealer than a warrior, Tadayoshi was quite unable to contain Tokiyuki, and the event looked to the first real crisis of Go-Daigo's restoration.

In [[1335]] [[Hojo Tokiyuki|Hôjô Tokiyuki]], a son of Takatoki, rose up and attacked Kamakura. The event created a considerable panic, and Go-Daigo's administrators Kamakura was abandoned and in the course of the chaotic flight, Tadayoshi saw to it that Morinaga was murdered. A better back-room dealer than a warrior, Tadayoshi was quite unable to contain Tokiyuki, and the event looked to the first real crisis of Go-Daigo's restoration.

Takauji hastily gathered an army, apparently without the consent of the emperor, and marched along the Tokaido Road, absorbing Tadayoshi's forces into his own. Takauji briskly defeated Tokiyuki in a number of engagements in Totomi and Suruga and on 8 September 1335 retook Kamakura. Tokiyuki was killed and order restored to the Kanto-albeit, no doubt, in such a way as to provoke the consternation of Go-Daigo and Nitta Yoshisada. Declaring that he felt more secure in Kamakura than in Kyoto, Takauji had himself a headquarters at [[Eifukuji]] temple. Go-Daigo made some effort to recall him, but to no avail. Almost as provocatively, Takauji began rewarding those warriors who supported him with lands, securing their personal loyalty and throwing the Court's lackluster rewards record in sharp contrast.

Takauji hastily gathered an army, apparently without the consent of the emperor, and marched along the [[Tokaido]] Road, absorbing Tadayoshi's forces into his own. Takauji briskly defeated Tokiyuki in a number of engagements in Tôtômi and Suruga and on 8 September 1335 retook Kamakura. Tokiyuki was killed and order restored to the Kanto - albeit, no doubt, in such a way as to provoke the consternation of Go-Daigo and Nitta Yoshisada. Declaring that he felt more secure in Kamakura than in Kyoto, Takauji had himself a headquarters at [[Eifukuji]] temple. Go-Daigo made some effort to recall him, but to no avail. Almost as provocatively, Takauji began rewarding those warriors who supported him with lands, securing their personal loyalty and throwing the Court's lackluster rewards record in sharp contrast.

It may be that Takauji attempted to lure Nitta Yoshisada away from the Court during this period, for he was the most powerful warrior in Go-Daigo's service and losing him to Takauji would leave the emperor isolated. At the same time, a war with Yoshisada that resulted in the destruction of the Nitta could only benefit the Ashikaga in the long run, so Takauji was essentially in a win-win situation as far as that went. When it became obvious that Yoshisada had no intention of abandoning Go-Daigo, Takauji issued what amounted to an act of war: he announced that Kozuke, Nitta's home province, was now under the governorship of the Uesugi.

It may be that Takauji attempted to lure Nitta Yoshisada away from the Court during this period, for he was the most powerful warrior in Go-Daigo's service and losing him to Takauji would leave the emperor isolated. At the same time, a war with Yoshisada that resulted in the destruction of the Nitta could only benefit the Ashikaga in the long run, so Takauji was essentially in a win-win situation as far as that went. When it became obvious that Yoshisada had no intention of abandoning Go-Daigo, Takauji issued what amounted to an act of war: he announced that Kôzuke, Nitta's home province, was now under the governorship of the Uesugi.

Go-Daigo, after some waffling, made the decision to brand Takauji a traitor and called for his destruction. Takauji, meanwhile, was careful to avoid involving the emperor in his own call to arms and directed his hostilities towards Nitta Yoshisada. He received a certain amount of legitimacy from the signature of retired emperor Kogon-in (whom the Hojo had appointed emperor after Go-Daigo's first bid for power in 1331).

Go-Daigo, after some waffling, made the decision to brand Takauji a traitor and called for his destruction. Takauji, meanwhile, was careful to avoid involving the emperor in his own call to arms and directed his hostilities towards Nitta Yoshisada. He received a certain amount of legitimacy from the signature of Retired [[Emperor Kogon|Emperor Kôgon]] (whom the Hôjô had appointed emperor after Go-Daigo's first bid for power in 1331).

==The Rise of Takauji==

==The Rise of Takauji==