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Ashikaga Yoshimasa (1435 - 1490) was the 8th Ashikaga shogun who reigned
from 1449 to 1473 during the Muromachi period of Japan. Yoshimasa was the
son of the 6th shogun Ashikaga Yoshinori.
The teenage Yoshimasa became Seii Taishogun six years after the death in
1443 of his older brother, the 7th shogun Ashikaga Yoshikatsu.
During Yoshimasa's reign saw the growth of Higashiyama Culture, famous
for Japanese tea ceremony (Sado), Japanese flower arranging (Kado or
Ikebana), Noh Japanese drama, and Indian ink painting. Higashiyama culture
was greatly influenced by Zen Buddhism and saw the rise of Japanese
aesthetics like Wabi-sabi and the harmonization of imperial court (Kuge))
and samurai (Buke) culture.
By 1464, Yoshimasa still had no heir so he adopted his younger brother
Ashikaga Yoshimi in order to succeed him. However, in the next year,
Yoshimasa was borne a son and a struggle for succession started between the
two brothers. By 1467 their conflict expanded into the 11 year Onin War,
beginning the Sengoku period of Japanese history that would last over a
century. In the middle of hostilities, Yoshimasa retired in 1473,
relinquishing the position of Seii Taishogun to his son who became the 9th
shogun Ashikaga Yoshihisa.
In 1489, the retired Yoshimasa built Rokuonji Temple (Also known as
Kinkakuji Temple and Golden Pavilion) in Kyoto, one of the current most
famous tourist attractions in the ancient capital.
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