Decline of Muromachi Shogunate Authority

Timeline

1. 1461–1467Kyoto · KyotoAfter acceding in 1449, Ashikaga Yoshimasa devoted himself to cultural pursuits and religious activities in the capital, delegating most government affairs to the kanryō and his close retainers; his restraint over the shugo daimyō weakened and the shogunate's decision-making capacity declined markedly.
2. 1464–1470Kyoto Imperial Palace · KyotoYoshimasa repeatedly changed his chosen heir between Yoshitsugu and Yoshitoshi; the shogun could not arbitrate effectively, the kanryō and shugo daimyō each took sides, and the shogunate's function as supreme arbiter existed in name only.
3. 1465–1470All of Japan · JapanShugo daimyō expanded their power in their domains and ignored shogunal orders; the center's capacity to intervene in local disputes and armed conflicts was nearly lost, paving the way for the outbreak of civil war in 1467.