Ashikaga Yoshimochi

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Ashikaga Yoshimochi (足利 義持? March 12, 1386February 3, 1428) was the 4th shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1394 to 1423 during the Muromachi period of Japan. Yoshimochi was the son of the 3rd shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.

After his father Yoshimitsu retired in 1394, Yoshimochi succeeded him as Seii Taishogun in the same year. Being a young child, Yoshimochi held authority over the shogunate. After his father died in 1408, Yoshimochi held sole power as shogun.

He took as beloved Akamatsu Mochisada, to whom he granted lands which Mochisada mismanaged. His own family denounced him, and he had to commit seppuku by order of his lover, the shogun. In 1423, Yoshimochi retired and was succeeded by his son, the 5th shogun Ashikaga Yoshikazu.

Preceded by:
Ashikaga Yoshimitsu
Ashikaga Shogun
1394–1423
Succeeded by:
Ashikaga Yoshikazu