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