Ashikaga Mitsukane

Ashikaga Mitsukane (足利 満兼) (1378–1409) was a Nanboku-chō period warrior, and the Kamakura-fu's third Kantō kubō, (Shōgun Deputy).

In 1399, the year after taking power, Mitsukane dispatched his sons Mitsunao and Mitsusada to Mutsu Province's Sasagawa Gosho and Inamura Gosho to stabilize the situation in the region which, together with Dewa Province, his father had received in 1392 from shogun Ashikaga Yoshimochi as a reward for his support against the Yamana clan.

[1] In the same year, when Ōuchi Yoshihiro rebelled in Izumi in the Ōei Rebellion (応永の乱, Ōei no Ran), allying himself with the Southern Dynasty (see article Nanboku-chō period), he planned to join him in the hope of being able to replace his relative, shōgun Ashikaga Yoshimochi.

[1] Because he had not given any help to the Ōuchi clan allowed him to feign innocence with Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (formally retired, but de facto ruler instead of his son Yoshimochi until his death), preventing an overt clash with Kyoto.

In a Shinto prayer (願文, ganbun) left at a Mishima Taisha in Izu, Mitsukane admits attacking superior forces, thanks Uesugi Norisada for his counsel, and swears to mend his ways and never to revolt again.