Tomiko Hino was a wife of the middle Muromachi period Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa.
Background
The Hino, an aristocratic family dating back to Heian times, had produced several members active at the time of the Northern and Southern Courts. The family also provided wives for the Ashikaga shoguns Yoshimitsu, Yoshimochi, and Yoshinori.
Career
Tomiko became the fourth member of the group, marrying Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa. Because Yoshimasa was a person of weak character, the real power was wielded by Tomiko’s elder brother, Hino Katsumitsu. Yoshimasa, having no son of his own, had adopted his younger brother, Yoshimi, and indicated that he should become the next shogun. In the following year, however, Tomiko gave birth to a son named Yoshihisa and, being a woman of very strong disposition, she determined to fight for her son’s right to become shogun, enlisting the help of Yamana Sdzen, one of the powerful military leaders of the time.
In 1467 fighting broke out between Yamana Sozen and Hosokawa Katsumoto, the guardian of Yoshimi and leader of the opposing faction, the beginning of the prolonged period of civil strife known as the Onin War, and in 1473 Tomiko finally persuaded her husband to turn over the position of shogun to her son, Yoshihisa.
Personality
In addition to being strong willed, she was noted for her love of money, which led her to set up toll barriers and take other measures that aroused criticism among the populace.