# Ashikaga Takauji

_First shōgun of the Ashikaga shogunate of Japan (1305–1358)_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/ashikaga-takauji
Last updated: 2026-11-10

> Ashikaga Takauji  also known as Minamoto no Takauji was a Japanese samurai, daimyo and the founder and first shōgun of the Ashikaga shogunate. His rule began in 1338, beginning the Muromachi period of Japan, and ended with his death in 1358. He was a male-line descendant of the samurai of the (Minamoto) Seiwa Genji line who had settled in the Ashikaga area of Shimotsuke Province, in present-day Tochigi Prefecture.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 1305 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q297107#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Kamakura ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q297107#P19))
- **Died:** 7 June 1358 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q297107#P570))
- **Place of death:** Kyōto ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q297107#P20))
- **Citizenship:** Japan ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q297107#P27))
- **Occupation:** samurai; bushi ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q297107#P106))
- **Spouse:** Akahashi Tōshi; Echizen no Tsubone ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q297107#P26))
- **Positions held:** shogun (1338–1358); General Who Conquers the East (since 1335); Sangi (since 1334); Chinjufu shōgun (since 1333) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q297107#P39))

## Questions

**When was Ashikaga Takauji born?**  
Ashikaga Takauji was born on 1305 in Kamakura.

**What positions has Ashikaga Takauji held?**  
Positions held by Ashikaga Takauji include: shogun (1338–1358); General Who Conquers the East (since 1335); Sangi (since 1334); Chinjufu shōgun (since 1333).

## Related

- [Tokugawa Ieyasu](https://diginpl.com/people/tokugawa-ieyasu)
- [Ashikaga Yoshimitsu](https://diginpl.com/people/ashikaga-yoshimitsu)
- [Tokugawa Yoshinobu](https://diginpl.com/people/tokugawa-yoshinobu)
- [Tokugawa Tsunayoshi](https://diginpl.com/people/tokugawa-tsunayoshi)
- [Tokugawa Hidetada](https://diginpl.com/people/tokugawa-hidetada)
- [Tokugawa Iemitsu](https://diginpl.com/people/tokugawa-iemitsu)
- [Ashikaga Yoshimasa](https://diginpl.com/people/ashikaga-yoshimasa)
- [Sakanoue no Tamuramaro](https://diginpl.com/people/sakanoue-no-tamuramaro)

## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Ashikaga Takauji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashikaga_Takauji) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q297107](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q297107) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Ashikaga Takauji Jōdo-ji.jpg by Unknown artist Unknown artist (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ashikaga_Takauji_J%C5%8Ddo-ji.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Ashikaga Takauji, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Ashikaga Takauji Jōdo-ji.jpg — Unknown artist Unknown artist, Public domain.

## Cite this page

"Ashikaga Takauji". DigiNepal. Last updated 10 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/ashikaga-takauji. Retrieved 10 November 2026.