Shiba Yoshimasa (斯波義将, c. 1350 - 18 June, 1410) was a busho (military commander) and later shugo (provincial governor) during the Nanboku-cho and early Muromachi periods. Eventually rising to become Kanrei, Yoshimasa routinely was re-granted this position by the Ashikaga shōguns. He would eventually be succeeded by his grandson, Yoshiaki before his death in June 1410. His Buddhist temple name was Hoenjiden Dosho Sekkei (法苑寺殿道将雪渓).
History[]
Early Life[]
The Shiba Clan were descendants of Minamoto no Yoshiie, part of the Seiwa-Genji; the founder of the clan was Shiba Ieuji, son of Ashikaga Yasuuji. Yoshimasa was the fourth son of Shiba Takatsune, a prominent supporter of Ashikaga Takauji. Takatsune would eventually seize power in the capital, rebelling against Takauji’s nephew, Tadafuyu. After the removal of Hosokawa Kiyouji from Kyoto, Takatsune made Yoshimasa shitsuji (what would become Kanrei), in 1362 at the age of 13. However, his uncompromising political actions alienated him from the local shugo. In particular his previous ally, Sasaki Doyo, took issue with Yoshimasa being named shitsuji instead of his brother, Shiba Ujiyori of whom Doyo was the father-in-law. In September 1366, Doyo alongside Ashikaga Yoshiakira, the incumbent shōgun, gathered their forces near Takatsune’s residence and demanded his surrender. Takatsune burnt down his mansion and fled to Echizen. Here he continued to resist bakufu forces until his death in 1367, aged 63.
After his father’s death, Yoshimasa was pardoned and allowed to return to Kyoto, serving under Hosokawa Yoriyuki.