Muromachi Period – Sengoku Period
After defeating the rival samurai clan, the Taira clan, in 1185, Minamoto no Yoritomo, leader of the Minamoto clan, was awarded the title of Seii Taishogun (shogun) by the Imperial Court in 1192. Japan then transitioned to a system of rule by the Kamakura Shogunate, a military government centered in Kamakura, which became known as the Kamakura Period.
In the mid-Kamakura period, in 1274 and 1281, Japan was invaded (Mongolian invasions) by the continent (the great Yuan Empire, which united Mongolia, China, Korea, and other countries), but the invasions were repelled thanks to the efforts of Kamakura samurai and fortunate weather conditions (divine winds).
However, these incidents marked a decline in the power of the Kamakura shogunate, and in 1333 (the third year of the Genkō era) the shogunate was brought to its downfall by rebellions led by Kamakura samurai, Nitta Yoshisada, and Ashikaga Takauji, who were inspired by the resistance of the brilliant military commander Kusunoki Masashige.
After the fall of the Kamakura shogunate, an attempt was made to once again center politics around the Imperial Court in Kyoto (Kenmu Restoration), but this did not gain the support of many samurai, and the Imperial Court split into two (the Nanboku-cho period). Ashikaga Takauji, who was granted the title of Seii Taishogun (Shogun) by the Northern Court, established the Muromachi shogunate, a military government centered in Kyoto, and this period is known as the Muromachi period.
The Muromachi shogunate was originally established with the help of individual samurai who were dissatisfied with the Kenmu Restoration, so its political foundation was extremely weak, and after the Onin War (1467 (Onin 1) – 1477 (Bunmei 11)), which was sparked by a dispute over the succession to the shogun, the shogunate’s rule effectively collapsed.
Japan entered the Sengoku period, a time when powerful samurai groups (daimyo) fought for power.
★Minato Ward in this era
⇒ Hisakuni Shrine (a reservoir. It was relocated in 1465 (Kansei 6) by Ota Dokan as the guardian deity of the castle god. Hotei-son, one of Minato Ward’s Seven Lucky Gods)
⇒ Miho Kashima Shrine (Miho Shrine, founded in 1479 (Bunmei 11), and Kashima Shrine, founded in the Kan’ei era (1624-1644), were merged in 2004)
⇒ Takanawa Shrine (said to have been founded as an Inari shrine during the Meiō era (1492-1501))