[citation needed] After the head family of the Minamoto clan died out during the early Kamakura period, the Ashikaga came to style themselves as the head of the Minamoto, co-opting the prestige which came with that name.

Emperor Go-Daigo (1288–1339) destroyed the Kamakura shogunate in 1333, but was unable to control the unrest produced.

The emperor's inefficient rule led to one of his greatest generals, Ashikaga Takauji (1305–1358), to betray him in 1335.

The conflict between Go-Daigo and the Ashikaga clan is known as the Northern and Southern Courts disturbance (南北朝の動乱).

Yoshimitsu sent an embassy to Ming Dynasty China in 1401, headed by priest Soa and Hakata merchant Koetomi.

They brought with them a conciliatory memorial to the emperor, and numerous gifts including horses, fans, gold, screens, paper, swords, armor, and inkstone cases.

A Ming envoy returned alongside Soa and Koetomi, and presented Yoshimitsu with an official imperial Chinese calendar, and documents officially recognizing (or investing) him as "King of Japan.

"[5] After the death of Yoshimitsu, the Ashikaga Shogunate lost power and influence.

His 12-year reign saw the restoration of diplomatic ties and trade between Japan and China that had been the fourth Shogun, Yoshimochi's undertaking.

After rivalry emerged between the two, Nobunaga defeated Yoshiaki and banished him from Kyoto.