The complex was completed in 1381 at the behest of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (1358-1408), the third shogun of the Ashikaga Shogunate, and used as his and his successors' residence and headquarters.

Built as villa for shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa, who became a Zen monk and willed the property to the Rinzai Zen sect at his death in 1490.

After managing to appoint Ashikaga Yoshiaki as ShÅ gun in 1568 ... Despite not taking center-stage in Shogun’s narrative, he is a crucial piece in the puzzle. Kuroda’s historical counterpart ...

Photo: Ashikaga Flower Park A must-see is the park’s magnificent 150-year-old wisteria tree, which is lit up in the evenings and surrounded by still water that reflects the colourful flowers.

The Shogun, or military ruler ... The three major shogunates were Kamakura, Ashikaga, and Tokugawa. The power wielded by the shÅ gun as a class was more-or-less absolute, and there were even ...