Ashikaga Yoshimochi

was a Japanese samurai, daimyo and the fourth shōgun of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1394 to 1423 during the Muromachi period of Japan. Yoshimochi was the son of the third shōgun, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and the elder brother of the sixth shōgun, Ashikaga Yoshinori.

Succession and rule In 1394, Yoshimitsu gave up his shogunal title in favor of his young son, and Yoshimochi was formally confirmed in his office as Sei-i Taishōgun.

In 1398, during the sixth year of the reign of King Taejo of Joseon, a diplomatic mission was sent to Japan. Pak Ton-ji and his retinue arrived in Kyoto in 1398 (Ōei 5, 8th month). Shogun Yoshimochi presented the envoy with a formal diplomatic letter; and presents were given for the envoy to convey to the Joseon court.

In 1408, Yoshimochi came into his own as a shōgun. The next year Ashikaga Mochiuji became Kantō kubō. In 1411, Yoshimochi broke off relations with Ming China. Emperor Go-Komatsu abdicated in 1413, therefore Emperor Shōkō ascended to the throne in repudiation of an agreement. This resulted in renewed hostility between the shogunate and supporters of the Southern Court. Yoshimochi followed his father's example by formally ceding his powers to a young son, who became the fifth Shōgun Ashikaga Yoshikazu, who was then 18.

Family Father: Ashikaga Yoshimitsu Mother: Fujiwara no Yoshiko (1358–1399) Wife: Hino Eiko (1390–1431) Concubines: Tokudaiji Toshiko Kohyoe-dono Children: Ashikaga Yoshikazu

Era of Yoshimochi's bakufu The years in which Yoshimochi was shōgun are more specifically identified by one era name or nengō. Ōei (1394–1428)