Yoshimi Ashikaga

1439 (age 52)

Japan

He originally sought to stick to his religious life, and had no desires to become shogun. However, by 1464, he was convinced to join his brother, the shogun, and assist him, putting himself into a position to be the next in the line of succession. The birth of the Shogun's son placed Yoshimi in an awkward situation, making his succession no longer definite, but he remained as Yoshimasa's Deputy.The brother of Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa, and a rival for the succession in a dispute that would lead to the Ōnin War. Was a bonze at the Jodoji Temple with the name of Gijin before he was adopted as heir by his elder brother, Yoshimasa (1464). He was called ImadegawaKubo (Shogun at Imadegawa) because he lived in the area of Kyoto which bore that name. The year following his adoption, Shogun Yoshimasa's wif e gave birth to Yoshihisa and Yoshimi was deposed. He fled to Ise Province (Mie Prefecture) in 1468 and protected there by the Kitabatakes. Yoshimasa welcomed him back to Kyoto (1468) but again treated him coldly, hearing a rumor which was unfavorable to him. Warlord Sozen Yamana took Yoshimi under his protection and founded another Shogunate with Yoshimi as head to cope with the Yoshimasa regime. Yoshimi, however, lost his position and fled to Mino Province (Gifu Prefecture) in 1477. Afte r the death of Shogun Yoshihisa (1489), Yoshimasa compromised with Yoshimi and made Yoshimi's son, Yoshitane, his legistimate heir.