The Ashikaga Shogunate
The Ashikaga Shogunate was a single party rule by the shoguns of the Ashikaga family from the year 1336 to 1573. They held power during the Muromachi period. It received its name from the Muromachi part of Kyoto, Japan.
The founder and first shogun of the Ashikaga Shogunate was Ashikaga Takauji. He did this by siding with the emperor against the Kamakura Shogunate. The Ashikaga Shogunate was considered the weakest compared to Kamakura Shogunate and Tokugawa Shogunate because it divided more of its government authority with the Imperial government. Most of its regional power remained to the Daimyo. Although they shared the power, the shogunate controlled the military power. While the Daimyo were fighting amongst themselves for power, their loyalty constantly was tested. It then led to warfare during the late Muromachi period.
1573 marked the fall of the Ashikaga Shogunate. Oda Nobunaga forced the 15th and last Ashikaga shogun out of Kyoto which contributed to the fall in 1573. The Ashikaga family still exists to this day.
