Ashikaga Tadayoshi

Ashikaga Tadayoshi was appointed by his brother Takauji to a senior position in the newly established Ashikaga shogunate. He was tasked with overseeing civil administration and judicial matters, while Takauji focused on military affairs.

Tadayoshi governed Kyoto and managed the shogunate's civil affairs while Takauji campaigned against Emperor Go-Daigo's forces. He implemented policies to stabilize the capital and win support from the court nobility.

Tadayoshi's rivalry with Ko no Moronao, Takauji's favored general, escalated into open conflict. Tadayoshi accused Moronao of corruption and plotting against him, leading to a split within the Ashikaga leadership.

Tadayoshi raised an army and rebelled against his brother Takauji, allying with the Southern Court. The Kanno Disturbance (Kanno no Ran) erupted, a civil war within the Ashikaga shogunate that devastated Kyoto and weakened central authority.

Tadayoshi's forces were defeated by Takauji's army at the Battle of Uchino. He surrendered and was initially pardoned, but later died under suspicious circumstances, possibly poisoned on Takauji's orders.