The Story of the Japanese 01335 [Muromachi/Yoshimochi Period] The Akamatsu Mitsusuke Return to Province Incident
There is a specialist in Akamatsu clan research named Daimon Watanabe, and I have relied heavily on his book, 'The Five Generations of the Akamatsu Clan,' among others. While Daimon Watanabe is someone who writes many introductory books and web articles for the general public, he has also published specialized books regarding the Akamatsu clan.
In the 34th year of Oei (1427), a dispute occurred over the Akamatsu family's territory.
On September 21, the head of the Akamatsu family, Yoshinori, passed away. Normally, at the time Yoshinori became critically ill, his heir, Mitsusuke (1381–1441), should have applied to the Shogun for permission to inherit the family headship and the provinces of Harima, Bizen, and Mimasaka, but unfortunately, Yoshimochi was away on a pilgrimage to Ise Jingu. The fact that Mitsusuke could not immediately inherit the territory at this time would lead to trouble.
Now, Akamatsu Mitsusuke, who would become an important figure after this, has made his first appearance. Let me introduce Mitsusuke's character here.
It is recorded that Mitsusuke was called names like 'Three-Shaku Nyudo' due to his short stature and was looked down upon. Three shaku is about 120 cm, so it is possible he had dwarfism.
There is a story about Mitsusuke. When Mitsusuke passed by To-ji Temple, he saw the beautiful branches of a pine tree over the wall and sent a messenger to request that the pine be given to him. After deliberation at To-ji, they decided they had no choice but to give it to him, considering that the Akamatsu family held important positions in the Shogunate. Although Mitsusuke did pay for it, moving a tree from a temple to his private residence was unthinkable by the common sense of the time, and it is said that Mitsusuke's tyranny became a topic of conversation. That said, compared to Ko no Moronao or Toki Yorito, who forcibly cut off branches, I think this is quite mild.
Now, the one who blocked Mitsusuke's inheritance of the family headship was Shogun Yoshimochi. On October 26, Yoshimochi, who was in seclusion at Seiwa-in, sent a messenger to Mitsusuke, who was performing Buddhist services at Ryutoku-ji Temple in Higashiyama, and conveyed something outrageous.
'I will approve the inheritance of Bizen and Mimasaka, but as for Harima, it will be held as a territory under the direct control of the Shogunate and entrusted for a while to my attendant, Akamatsu Mochisada (?:–1427).'
That is what he said. Akamatsu Mochisada was from a branch of the Akamatsu family and was an attendant to Yoshimochi.
Yoshimochi was angry that the previous head, Akamatsu Yoshinori, had acted with such a big attitude, using the fact that he had been a close aide to Yoshimitsu as a shield, and he also seemed to be very fond of his attendant, Akamatsu Mochisada. Even so, refusing to recognize the inheritance of Harima Province can be called extreme bullying. Akamatsu Mitsusuke asked for the decision to be withdrawn many times, but because Yoshimochi would not listen, he actually set fire to his mansion and returned to Harima. Setting fire to one's own mansion is a declaration of intent that 'I will never return to Kyoto.'
October 27. Yoshimochi ordered:
'Mitsusuke still has two provinces left, yet he acts in this way; it is short-sighted. Divide the remaining Bizen and Mimasaka among the Akamatsu branch family members Mitsuhiro and Sadamura (1393–1447), and subjugate Mitsusuke.'
He picked a fight with the Akamatsu family himself, and now he intends to punish them. Will the Akamatsu family be able to survive safely?
Akamatsu Mitsusuke was a figure who left a particular impression on me in the Shogakukan version of 'Manga Japanese History' that I read when I was in elementary school. I find myself sympathizing with Mitsusuke.