Hosokawa Masamoto

Hosokawa Masamoto was appointed kanrei (deputy shogun) under Shogun Ashikaga Yoshitane. He wielded significant power and became the de facto ruler of the shogunate during a period of political instability.

Masamoto deposed Shogun Yoshitane and replaced him with Ashikaga Yoshizumi, a puppet candidate. This coup demonstrated the kanrei's ability to control the shogunate and deepened the instability of the Ashikaga regime.

Masamoto adopted Hosokawa Sumimoto as his heir, bypassing his own son Hosokawa Sumiyuki. This decision created a succession dispute within the Hosokawa clan, leading to internal conflict.

Masamoto was assassinated by retainers loyal to his disinherited son Sumiyuki, who sought to claim the clan leadership. The assassination plunged the Hosokawa clan into civil war and further weakened the Ashikaga shogunate.