Muromachi period

The Muromachi period (室町時代) is a division of Japanese history running from approximately 1336 to 1573. The period marks the governance of the Muromachi or Ashikaga Shogunate which was officially established in 1338 by the first Muromachi shogun Ashikaga Takauji. The Muromachi period is also referred to as the Ashikaga period. The period ended in 1573 when the 15th and last shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki was driven out of the capital in Kyoto by Oda Nobunaga.

The Muromachi period gets its name from the Muromachi area of Kyoto where the third shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu established his residence.

The early years of 1336 to 1392 of the Muromachi period is also known as the Nanboku-cho or Northern and Southern Court period.

The later years of 1467 to the end of the Muromachi period is also known as the Sengoku Period.