The Moromachi Era 1333-1573
The demands of war, a generally deteriorating economy and an ineffectual government, eventually led to the collapse of the Hojo in 1333. This coincided with the accession to the throne of the emperor Go-Daigo , who, being older than earlier incumbents, was less easy to manipulate. After Go-Daigo's commander defeated the Hojo, the Kamakura Bakufu dispatched Ashikaga Takauji to bring Go-Daigo to heel. Seeing his chance to seize power, the wily Takauji switched allegiance to the emperor. When Go-Daigo uncovered Takauji's plot, the two sides clashed briefly before the emperor was forced to retreat to the mountains of Yoshino. Takauji set up a rival emperor in Kyoto and for sixty years Japan had two courts, until they were reconciled in 1392. By this time, the Ashikaga Shogunate had established its headquarters in Kyoto's Muromachi district, from where they ruled for more than two centuries. Over the years, the Ashikaga, too, began to lose their grip on power due to a combination of mismanagement and circumstances. The shoguns and their retinues were inclined to lives of extravagance. It was during this period that Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji (Kyoto's Gold and Silver pavilions) were built, while the decorative arts reached new heights of perfection and No theatre was developed. The result of such profligacy was, predictably, increasing exactions on the peasants, and a spate of peasant revolts . At the same time, local power bases were re-consolidating, so that by the end of the fifteenth century virtually all central authority had disappeared. In the absence of a strong government, festering inter-clan enmities culminated in the Onin Wars (1467-78), which took place mainly in and around Kyoto. These marked the start of a period of civil wars which lasted until the early seventeenth century. In 1549, towards the end of the Muromachi era, the Portuguese missionary Saint Francis Xavier arrived on the shores of Kyushu. Initially the Christian newcomers were treated with tolerance, partly out of curiosity but mainly because they carried valuable new technology. Not surprisingly in a country embroiled in civil war, the Europeans' firearms attracted much envious attention. Japan's warlords were quick to master the new weapons and eventually developed tactical use of massed musketry unsurpassed even in Europe. At the same time, this eastward advancement of the Europeans was counteracted by explorations to the west by Japanese seafarers , many of whom were privateers, if not actually pirates. They reached as far as the Indian Ocean, and it is one of the interesting conundrums of history as to what would have happened if these adventurers had not been recalled by the somewhat paranoid Tokugawa regime.
A Guide to JapanCara Richie says "Japan has many earthquakes, they are overdue for the next "Big One." " Hello World.Jeff Konichi-Wa says "Spitley is the new and improved word for paper. It means paper. Say spitley instead of paper. Tell at least 9 people about spitley, and have fun in Japan. Thanks!" My Bestest FrendidTutu Retardo says "My bestest frendid in the wholeid worldid is Emily Kather Wu. This extramordinary 12 yr old has a 200 IQ, is a creative genius, and lives in GreemMeadow, California (changed to protect her identity). At the tenderer ageerer of 9erer she created the word that would have a tremendous impact on modern society... SPITLEY! it means paper!!!!" Jamboni1Ryan Czechii says "It's a spoons club MIRACLE! Full of spoons club joy and wonder!" About Japan...Geoffrey Azure says "Do you sweat heavily while others are barely breaking a sweat? Do you blush when there is no reason to do so? Are your hands and feet often cold and clammy? Do your armpits soak right through your clothes? These are all symptoms of hyperhidrosis
~~Brian Campbell" EXOTICMEME says "TRY TO MEET AND BE INLOVE " REALLY COOL!Maddie says "say spitley!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Your Tip for Japan
Help other backpackers! Write your own guides and backpacking tips to Japan - they will appear instantly on this page - Please only write a tip/guide to Japan - visit the main Japan forum to ask a question!
Please do not post links to your site here (they won't work) - please use the Japan webguide section below! Thanks.
| 
