History of Asia

From the Onin War to the Warring States period on Gekokujo

Before entering the history of the Warring States period, let's review a little from the establishment of the Muromachi Shogunate to the Onin War.

After the fall of the Kamakura Shogunate, Emperor Go-Daigo [ Kenmu Restoration ], But the samurai are dissatisfied because they have taken a political policy that prioritizes public houses.

Takauji Ashikaga, who opposed this policy, was Emperor Go-Daigo . A rebellion will occur as far as the eye can see, and Kenmu's new government will collapse. Takauji opened the Muromachi Shogunate with another emperor. However, Emperor Go-Daigo still set up a court in Yoshino [ Southern Court . ] As a conflict.

Unification of the Northern and Southern Dynasties and the Golden Age of the Muromachi Shogunate

After 56 years of the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Yoshimitsu Ashikaga, the third shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate Will realize the union of the North and South Dynasties. As a result, the Muromachi Shogunate is in the golden age Will be greeted.

Yoshimitsu Ashikaga settled Kyushu, which had been strong until now, and Ming Trade We will prepare the foundation of politics and economy, such as starting.

After the death of Yoshimitsu Ashikaga, a powerful guardian daimyo Becomes stronger and puts pressure on the shogunate. Local peasants and samurai who suffer from a series of famines and high-interest loans will also frequently provoke Tokusei-ikki and Tsuchi-ikki, which demand the Tokusei-Ikki from the Shogunate.

In Kanto, where there were many powerful samurai including the remnants from the Kamakura period, for surveillance [ Kamakura-fu ], But many battles were fought here as well.

The person in charge of this Kamakura prefecture is [ Kamakura Koga ], But often gathered local powers and confronted the shogunate.

In this way, after the death of Yoshimitsu Ashikaga, influential daimyo began to strengthen one after another, and the control of the shogun family began to decline.

The decline of the Muromachi Shogunate and the Onin War

Muromachi Shogunate 8th Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa Was culturally successful but not interested in politics. His wife instead of him Tomiko Hino Actively intervened in politics, and frequent bribery occurred, and the politics of the shogunate became extremely confused.

On the other hand, with the maturity of the samurai society, [ Firstborn Inheritance ] Is established, and the battle for the reign of the influential warlords breaks out in various places. Shiba Hatakeyama , a leading guardian daimyo However, there was a battle for successors, and Hosokawa / Yamana , who was also a senior vassal of the shogunate. The situation is tense due to the conflict between the two men.

Furthermore, even in the Shogun family, the family dispute has surfaced because Yoshimasa did not have a child for a while. Until then, the next shogun was Yoshimasa's younger brother, Yoshimi . It was, but Tomiko Hino Yoshihisa When you give birth to, a family dispute is born between the two.

Mr. Hosokawa and Mr. Yamana intervene there and rush into the Onin War of the East and West forces.

Even after the end of the Onin War, the power of the shogunate declined greatly, leaving fires in various places.

Ashigaru and others also set fire to shrines and temples, and the capital of Kyoto was devastated. Therefore, the current shrines and temples in Kyoto are said to be relatively new in history, built after the Onin War.

On the other hand, in the Kanto region where the Kamakura Shogunate was located, rebellions and internal conflicts to the center continued.

After the Onin War, not only the battles between daimyo but also the tsuchi-ikki occurred frequently in various places.

In Yamashiro Province, Mr. Hatakeyama's internal conflict is still continuing, and the national riots will occur, and the autonomy of the nationals and farmers will also be carried out.

Taking advantage of this, Rennyo of the Ikko sect succeeded in increasing the number of believers in various places, and the sect built a powerful religious organization, and Ikko-ikki occurred frequently around Hokuriku.

In this way, with the Onin War as a boundary, the ability is more important than the status and family status Gekokujo Will come. Since then, the Sengoku period has continued for over 100 years. Will open the curtain.

A simple flow from Ashikaga Yoshimasa to the Warring States period

The Warring States period is difficult to understand because it overlaps with the Muromachi period.

Therefore, let's keep track of the flow from the establishment of the Muromachi Shogunate to the beginning of the Warring States period.

Fight for the family of a leading daimyo

Reigns of the Shogunate

Onin outbreak by Hosokawa and Yamana

The capital of Kyoto is devastated

The power of the shogunate is lost

Wars occur in various places

Tsuchi-ikki and Kuni-ikki occur frequently

The beginning of the Warring States period on Gekokujo ...

This is the simple flow from the establishment of the Muromachi Shogunate to the beginning of the Warring States period.

The Warring States period is not just the era of Oda Nobunaga's famous military commanders.

Personally, I think it's easier to understand if you remember the Sengoku era by dividing it into three periods.

3 divisions of the Warring States period
  • First term:Onin War-Battle between Okehazama
  • Mid-term:The rise of Oda Nobunaga-Honnoji Incident
  • Late:Hideyoshi Toyotomi unifies the world-Battle of Sekigahara

Especially in the early days of the Warring States period, it is difficult to understand because of various conflicts and people.

First of all, I think it will be easier to understand if you grasp the flow and understand each event.

From the next time, I would like to write while delving into the details of the events.