Ouchi Masahiro
Encyclopedia
was a member of the Ōuchi family
and general in the Ōnin War
, serving Yamana Sōzen. He battled numerous times with Yamana's rival, Hosokawa Katsumoto
, at one point commanding 20,000 men and 2,000 boats, moving his troops by land as well as by sea. These battles took place mostly in Kyoto
, but also across the Hosokawa family's holdings, and other territories.
In 1473, both Yamana and Hosokawa died, but Ōuchi refused to lay down his arms until the Shogunal succession was decided; he even refused a direct order from the Shogun himself. Finally in 1475, after most other daimyo
had submitted to the Shogun's rule, Ōuchi did the same, and returned to his home in Kyoto. There, he destroyed his own home, and possibly the Shogun's Nijo Palace
as well, blaming it on ashigaru
in his diary. Ōuchi then left the city, establishing himself in his family's ancestral domains of Yamaguchi
and seeking to recreate the depth of Kyoto culture there. He decorated his castle lavishly with artwork imported from China and Korea, as well as Japanese art. He also invited a number of famous artists to his home, including Sesshū, who painted the Long Scroll (Chōkan) for him in 1486.
Ouchi family
The ' was one of the most powerful and important families in Japan during the reign of the Ashikaga shogunate in the 12th to 14th centuries descended from the Korean Baekje Dynasty's Royal family...
and general in the Ōnin War
Onin War
The ' was a civil war that lasted 10 years during the Muromachi period in Japan. A dispute between Hosokawa Katsumoto and Yamana Sōzen escalated into a nationwide war involving the Ashikaga shogunate and a number of daimyo in many regions of Japan....
, serving Yamana Sōzen. He battled numerous times with Yamana's rival, Hosokawa Katsumoto
Hosokawa Katsumoto
was one of the Kanrei, the Deputies to the Shogun, during Japan's Muromachi Period. He is famous for his involvement in the creation of Ryōan-ji, a temple famous for its rock garden, and for his involvement in the Ōnin War, which sparked the 130-year Sengoku period.His conflicts with his...
, at one point commanding 20,000 men and 2,000 boats, moving his troops by land as well as by sea. These battles took place mostly in Kyoto
Kyoto
is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:...
, but also across the Hosokawa family's holdings, and other territories.
In 1473, both Yamana and Hosokawa died, but Ōuchi refused to lay down his arms until the Shogunal succession was decided; he even refused a direct order from the Shogun himself. Finally in 1475, after most other daimyo
Daimyo
is a generic term referring to the powerful territorial lords in pre-modern Japan who ruled most of the country from their vast, hereditary land holdings...
had submitted to the Shogun's rule, Ōuchi did the same, and returned to his home in Kyoto. There, he destroyed his own home, and possibly the Shogun's Nijo Palace
Nijo Castle
is a flatland castle located in Kyoto, Japan. The castle consists of two concentric rings of fortifications, the Ninomaru Palace, the ruins of the Honmaru Palace, various support buildings and several gardens...
as well, blaming it on ashigaru
Ashigaru
The Japanese ashigaru were foot-soldiers of medieval Japan. The first known reference to ashigaru was in the 1300s, but it was during the Ashikaga Shogunate-Muromachi period that the use of ashigaru became prevalent by various warring factions.-Origins:Attempts were made in Japan by the Emperor...
in his diary. Ōuchi then left the city, establishing himself in his family's ancestral domains of Yamaguchi
Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi
is the capital city of Yamaguchi Prefecture, Japan.As of February 1, 2010, the city has an estimated population of 198,971 and a population density of 194.44 persons per km²...
and seeking to recreate the depth of Kyoto culture there. He decorated his castle lavishly with artwork imported from China and Korea, as well as Japanese art. He also invited a number of famous artists to his home, including Sesshū, who painted the Long Scroll (Chōkan) for him in 1486.