Muromachi Period

Definition

The Muromachi Period (Muromachi Jidai, 1333-1573 CE) refers to the period of Japanese medieval history when the Ashikaga shogun capital was located in the Muromachi area of Heiankyo (Kyoto). Replacing the Kamakura Shogunate (1192-1333 CE), the Ashikaga or Muromachi Shogunate (1338-1573) would oversee a depressingly warlike, rebellious, and brutal period of history which saw incessant rivalries between warlords and unchecked bandits plaguing the countryside. There were a few bright spots such as the construction of the Kinkakuji and Ginkakuji temples in Kyoto as well as progress in trade and commerce, the arts and castle architecture. The period ended with the warlord Oda Nobunaga seizing power in 1568 CE and his decision to exile the last Ashikaga shogun in 1573 CE.

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Timeline

  • 1246 - 1259
    Reign of Japan's Emperor Go-Fukakusa.
  • 1259 - 1274
    Reign of Japan's Emperor Kameyama.
  • 1318 - 1339
    Go-Daigo reigns as emperor of Japan.
  • c. 1333
    Nitta Yoshisada attacks and destroys Kamakura, capital of Japan's Kamakura Shogunate.
  • 1333 - 1336
    The Kenmu Restoration when the Japanese emperor Go-Daigo uses rebel warlords to oust the Kamakura Shogunate.
  • 1333 - 1573
    The Muromachi period of medieval Japan.
  • 1333
    The position of deputy shogun (kanrei) is created in Japan.
  • 1336
    Ashikaga Takauji captures Heiankyo (Kyoto).
  • Jul 1336
    Ashikaga Takauji defeats Emperor Go-Daigo's chief ally Yoshisada at the battle of Minatogawa near Kobe.
  • 1337 - 1392
    Japan has two competing emperors: the 'Northern and Southern Courts.
  • 1338
    Ashikaga Takauji becomes the new shogun in Japan, it is the beginning of the Ashikaga (Muromachi) Shogunate.
  • 1338 - 1573
    The Ashikaga (Muromachi) Shogunate rules Japan.
  • 1338 - 1358
    Ashikaga Takauji rules as shogun in Japan.
  • 1350 - 1352
    Japan's shogun Ashikaga Takauji battles his brother Tadayoshi.
  • 1359 - 1368
    Ashikaga Yoshiakira rules as shogun in Japan.
  • 1368 - c. 1394
    Ashikaga Yoshimitsu rules as shogun in Japan.
  • 1395 - 1423
    Ashikaga Yoshimochi rules as shogun in Japan.
  • 1397
    The Kinkakuji or 'Golden Pavilion' is built in Heiankyo (Kyoto) by the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.
  • 1401
    Japan joins the tribute system of China's Ming Dynasty.
  • 1420 - 1506
    Life of the celebrated Zen priest and artist Sesshu (real name Toyo)
  • 1423 - 1425
    Ashikaga Yoshikazu rules as shogun in Japan.
  • 1429 - 1441
    Ashikaga Yoshinori rules as shogun in Japan.
  • 1442 - 1443
    Ashikaga Yoshikatsu rules as shogun in Japan.
  • 1449 - 1474
    Ashikaga Yoshimasa rules as shogun in Japan.
  • 1460 - 1483
    Ginkakuji Temple (Silver Pavilion) is built in Heiankyo (Kytoto) Japan by Ashikaga Yoshimasa.
  • 1467 - 1477
    The Onin War between rival warlords rages in Japan.
  • 1467 - 1568
    The Sengoku Period or Warring States Period in Japan.
  • 1473
    Ryoanji in Heiankyo (Kyoto) becomes a Zen Buddhism temple.
  • 1474 - 1489
    Ashikaga Yoshihisa rules as shogun in Japan.
  • 1490 - 1493
    Ashikaga Yoshitane rules in his first spell as shogun of Japan.
  • 1494 - 1508
    Ashikaga Yoshizumi rules as shogun in Japan.
  • c. 1500
    The famous Zen rock garden at Ryoanji temple in Heiankyo (Kyoto) is laid out.
  • 1508 - 1521
    Ashikaga Yoshitane rules in his second spell as shogun of Japan.
  • 1521 - 1546
    Ashikaga Yoshiharu rules as shogun in Japan.
  • 1543
    The first European contact is made with Japan when three Portuguese traders have their ship blown onto the shores of southern Kyushu.
  • 1546 - 1565
    Ashikaga Yoshiteru rules as shogun in Japan.
  • 1568 - 1582
    Oda Nobunaga seizes Heiankyo (Kyoto) and is the dominant military leader in central Japan.
  • 1568
    Ashikaga Yoshihide rules as shogun in Japan.
  • 1568 - 1588
    Ashikaga Yoshiaki rules as shogun in Japan (but is exiled by Oda Nobunaga from 1573 CE).
  • 1573
    Oda Nobunaga exiles the last Ashikaga shogun, Yoshiaki.
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