Stories of the Japanese 01246 [Muromachi Period / Yoshimitsu Era] Yoshimitsu Becomes Grand Minister of State

On October 24, 1394 (the first year of Oei), Uesugi Norikata, the Kanto Kanrei, passed away. Although his eldest son, Noritaka (1366–?), succeeded him, he resigned after one month due to illness. While Norikata had a younger brother named Norisada (1375–1413), he was still young, so the successor became his cousin, Uesugi Tomomune.
Incidentally, Norikata was the son of Uesugi Noriaki, who boasted great power as the first Kanto Kanrei, and was, so to speak, the main line of the Uesugi family. Because they resided in Yamanouchi in Kamakura, they were called the 'Yamanouchi Uesugi clan.' On the other hand, Tomomune was the son of Noriaki's younger brother, Norifuji, and because they resided in Inugake in Kamakura, they were called the 'Inugake Uesugi clan.'
Now, on December 17, Yoshimitsu held the coming-of-age ceremony for his heir, Yoshimochi, and abdicated the position of Shogun to him. It seems that the third son, Yoshimochi, became the heir because the eldest son, Sonman (1381–?), was made a monk at an early stage, perhaps due to the low status of his birth mother, and the second son had died in infancy. Upon assuming the position of Shogun, Yoshimochi was granted the Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade, but it is said that Yoshimitsu expressed dissatisfaction, as he was originally intended to receive the Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade, and had it changed in a hurry.
Then, having retired from the position of Shogun, Yoshimitsu became the Grand Minister of State (Daijo-daijin), the highest government post for a court noble, on December 25. He was the first person from a samurai family to rise to the position of Grand Minister of State since Taira no Kiyomori.
There is an anecdote that when the Sekkan families (the five regent houses) opposed this appointment, Yoshimitsu threatened them by saying,
“If that is the case, I could make the Shiba, Hosokawa, Hatakeyama, Rokkaku, and Yamana families the five regent houses instead of the current ones.”
It is said that the Fujiwara clan was on the verge of losing even their positions as Regents and Chief Advisors to the Emperor, but I feel this is likely a fabrication.
Then, on January 7, 1395 (the second year of Oei), the ceremony for Yoshimitsu to pay his respects upon becoming Grand Minister of State was held. Looking at the ceremonies regarding Yoshimitsu's promotions until now,
• At the ceremony to pay respects upon becoming Minister of the Right on July 25, 1379 (the fifth year of Tenju / first year of Koryaku), 37 court officials (tenjobito) led the way, and 21 high-ranking nobles (kugyo) followed.
• At the banquet ceremony upon his appointment as Minister of the Interior on July 23, 1381 (the seventh year of Tenju / first year of Eitoku), 26 out of 28 high-ranking nobles attended.
Records such as these can be seen, but Yoshimitsu, having become Grand Minister of State, created further legends. All 31 incumbent high-ranking nobles, including the Chief Advisor to the Emperor, Ichijo Tsunetsugu, followed him. It is unprecedented for the Chief Advisor to the Emperor to follow someone in a ceremony of paying respects. Furthermore, the number of court officials who led the way was 60, and the procession stretched for several hundred meters, requiring them to take a detour from the Muromachi Palace to the Imperial Palace.
Furthermore, at this time, Yoshimitsu received the privilege of the 'Gisha Senji' (Imperial decree for ox-drawn carriages), which allowed him to travel through the Imperial Court by ox-drawn carriage, at the young age of 38. The Gisha Senji was originally a privilege granted to high-ranking nobles who could not walk due to old age, and issuing this decree despite having the ability to walk was an acknowledgment that he was a special person even among the high-ranking nobles. Yoshimitsu had become a special high-ranking noble in every respect.