The Short Life of Shogun Ashikaga Yoshikazu
The Fourth Muromachi Shogun's Death at 18 was Hastened by Chronic Alcoholism.
Son of the 4th shogun, Yoshimochi, Ashikaga Yoshikazu was just 16 when appointed shogun on his father's retirement in 1423, and ruled until his premature death two years later in 1425. It is claimed that his death was brought about by his chronic alcoholism and lifestyle.
The Ashikaga
The origins of the elite warrior Ashikaga clan can be traced back to a branch of the noble Minamoto clan. The lineage originated in the namesake town of Ashikaga, situated in Shimotsuke Province, modern-day Tochigi Prefecture.
As members of the Minamoto clan, they had fought in the Gempei war of 1180 – 1185 against the Taira over control of the Imperial Court. Victory went to Minamoto no Yoritomo, who, on being made Sei-i Taishogun(Shogun) established the Kamakura Bakufu or Shogunate. The Minamoto clan became extinct in the early Kamakura period, and the Hojo clan rose to fill the vacuum. The lack of recognition and reward for having faced the Mongol invasions of Japan in 1274 and 1281 led to great dissatisfaction among the daimyo serving the Hojo. Sensing this, Emperor Go-Daigo ordered the daimyo to oppose the Hojo run Kamakura Shogunate and restore Imperial power. This was known as the Kenmu Restoration of 1333 -1136.
General Ashikaga Takauji was ordered by Kamakura to quell the uprising, however, he inexplicably turned against his masters, and fought for Emperor Go-Daigo, overthrowing the Shogunate. It has been suggested that Ashikaga Takauji had been left as the unofficial leader of the mostly fallen Minamoto, while the Hojo who had taken their seat, were of rival Taira descent, hence his turning.
Imperial rule was re-established, however Emperor Go-Daigo’s policies were unpopular and deemed ineffective, and so Ashikaga Takauji took action. He established a feudal military government, overpowered the Emperor and appointed himself Shogun in 1336. His base of operations was located in Kyoto along Muromachi Street, lending his shogunate and ruling period’s name, the Muromachi Shogunate.
The Ashikaga clan consisted of several cadet clans. These branch clans included the Hosokawa, the Kira, the Hachisuka, the Imagawa, the Shiba, and the Hatakeyama clans, all of which rose to positions of prominence under the new Shogunate.
Ashikaga Takauji ruled from 1336 until 1357. His son, Ashikaga Yoshiakira took over between 1359 and 1368, followed by his grandson Yoshimitsu from 1368 to 1394. Ashikaga Yoshimochi was the fourth Shogun between 1395 and 1423. His son Yoshikazu then ruled for two years.
An Overview of Ashikaga Yoshikazu’s Life
Ashikaga Yoshikazu, Born August 27, 1407, was the son of 4th shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate, Ashikaga Yoshimochi.
Yoshikazu would become the 5th shogun, ruling from 1423 to 1425 during the Muromachi period. Yoshikazu’s main claim to fame is for having ruled for a span of just two years, and for his chronic alcoholism which contributed to his early demise.
Yoshikazu was said to have been born in poor health, and at an early age suffered from smallpox. The cure supplied for this affliction was alcohol, to which an addiction was formed. His health worsened due to his “medicinal” heavy drinking.
In late 1417, Yoshikazu celebrated his coming-of-age ceremony. It appears that Yoshimochi and his son Yoshikazu were very close, and Yoshikazu is said to have accompanied his father on most of his official and non-official visits to shrines, temples, and other excursions.
At New Years of 1423, Yoshimochi and Yoshikazu, as father and son, visited the Imperial Court to pay their respects, and from there they visited the residences of other nobles, including Hatakeyama Mitsuie, Shiba Yoshiatsu, Hosokawa Mitsumoto, and other aristocrats and warrior houses. It is speculated that this was the groundwork for the planned transfer of the post of shogun. At the time, Yoshimochi was still just 38 and fully capable of ruling. Nonetheless, believing Yoshikazu capable, he chose retirement. Three months later, Yoshimochi formally requested that his son Yoshikazu be proclaimed Shogun, and nine days later he handed the position of Shogun to the then 16-year-old Yoshikazu. (He is listed as being 17 when made Shogun, however samurai were counted as being aged one from the day of birth). On the day of his inauguration as the fifth Shogun, various feudal lords, warriors of standing, Buddhist monks, Shinto priests and laymen gathered to celebrate by prostrating before him, and presenting gifts of horses, gold, swords and other weapons.
Records remain showing that as a 15-year-old, Yoshikazu was warned by his father not to drink too heavily, but Yoshimochi was too soft on the boy and failed to stop him. Yoshikazu’s vassals too were concerned for his excessive drinking and urged him to curtail his habit, but to no avail.
A year after becoming Shogun, Emperor Go-Kameyama passed away in 1424. Less than a year later on the 17th of March 1425, the fifth Ashikaga Shogun, Yoshikazu died suddenly at the young age of just 18. With the death of his son, and having no other heir, Ashikaga Yoshimochi was forced to assume the responsibilities of shogun and once again took charge of government affairs until his own death in 1428. Three years after resuming office, Yoshimochi passed away.
There were speculations about Yoshikazu’s cause of death. While it is generally believed that his death was caused by his chronic alcoholism, brought on when alcohol was given as a cure for childhood illnesses, and an unhealthy lifestyle, yet another rumour that circulated about the death of Yoshikazu. Spiritual followers believed that Yoshikazu’s early illness and eventual death was a punishment from heaven for the sins of his father, Yoshimochi. Yoshimochi had ruthlessly killed numerous priests during his lifetime as a means of controlling the shrines and temples. Yoshimochi also saw some of his own family members as threats to his position and to the Ashikaga shogunate. In order to appease this fear and to solidify his position in office, Yoshimochi had them assassinated or executed, eliminating all potential competition. The early passing of his son was Sakaiki, divine punishment. Ban’nan-ji Temple in Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture has a wooden statue of Yoshikazu.
Because Yoshimochi had no other heirs to pass on the position , his brother, Ashikaga Yoshinori was chosen to succeed him as the sixth shogun of the Ashikaga Shogunate in 1429, four years after the death of Yoshikazu.