PASTEXPERIENCE HISTORY

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1378 · Yoshimitsu moves to his Muromachi residence

Kyoto around the shogun’s residence

Government residences and commercial neighbourhoods gave upper Kyoto different functions.

Upper Kyoto

A shogunal residence north of the imperial palace

Maintaining Hana no Gosho involved contributions beyond its occupant: Yamashiro was charged for repairs in 1406, and stones were moved from another temple in 1429. Yoshimitsu completed a Muromachi residence in 1378 and moved next door the following year. The splendid precinct depended on political arrangements for collecting money and materials.

The government’s name reflects this location. Residence, ceremony and official activity overlapped rather than occupying a modern office building. Upper Kyoto concentrated rulers’ homes, while lower Kyoto developed commercial and craft functions.

[1] 京都市歴史資料館[2] 京都市上京区[3] 京都市

Funding an impressive residence

Repair levies in 1406 and additions in 1429 show the resources behind the gardens. Transporting materials and collecting funds connected aesthetic choices with administrative demands. The impressive landscape depended on wider contributions.

Records of the emperor’s 1437 visit identify gates, halls and service spaces. Reception required food, movement and staff alongside ceremonial architecture. Names of buildings make sense through the work performed within them.

Nearby lordly, courtly and religious sites formed several interacting relationships, without making all northern Kyoto private shogunal land. Later destruction and housing changed the use of the same ground.

[1] 京都市歴史資料館[3] 京都市[2] 京都市上京区

War, fire and changing land use

The complex was attacked during the Ōnin conflict and burned in 1476 with neighbouring buildings. Fire connected the fate of court, warrior and religious properties. Contributions sought in 1479 show attempts to restore the political setting after destruction.

Rebuilding faced repeated difficulties, and ordinary housing later occupied parts of the area. Changing use of the land reveals shifts in authority and urban life. The residence depended on continued maintenance rather than remaining permanently at its most splendid stage.

[1] 京都市歴史資料館[3] 京都市

Before and after

  1. 1377

    The city guide dates construction to this year.

  2. 1378

    Yoshimitsu moves to his Imadegawa-Muromachi residence.

  3. 1476

    The residence burns.

  4. 1479

    Contributions are levied for rebuilding.

Key terms

Hana no Gosho
The shogunal residence commissioned by Yoshimitsu.
Kamigyō
The northern urban area of medieval Kyoto.
Government headquarters
A centre for conducting government business.

What supports the account?

Kamigyō also contained commercial districts.

The city chronology describes activities around Kitano.

Limits of the evidence

A shogunal-residence plan does not represent all residents.

[1] 京都市歴史資料館

Check your understanding

Choose an answer to reveal the explanation. Return to the article and sources when you are unsure.

1. What political work is visible when garden records mention collected repair funds?

Sources

  1. Kyoto urban chronology京都市歴史資料館

    The move to Imadegawa-Muromachi in 1378.

  2. The Flower Palace京都市上京区

    Construction in 1377, names, surrounding residences and Kitano commerce.

  3. Urban history 12: Hana no Gosho京都市

    Repair levies, enlargement, imperial visit, fire, rebuilding and later land use.

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