From Ækubo Kaoru, Kokushi kyÇiku to shidÇ katei [National history education and the instructional process] (Tokyo: KÇbunsha, 1937).

Recall that Ashikaga Yoshimitsu was the third Ashikaga ShÇgun and was the power behind the Bakufu from the time he took office as ShÇgun in 1368 until his death in 1408. Yoshimitsu was the most powerful of the Ashikaga ShÇguns, and had little regard for the imperial court. In an effort to secure trade with Ming China, he accepted the title "King of Japan" from the Ming emperor.

What follows is a sample 5th-grade lesson plan in Japanese history taken and translated from the book cited above.

As an example, we include the following actual lesson plan:

Grade Level: Ordinary 5th Grade

Topic: The Audacity of the Ashikaga Clan

Breakdown:

One Hour:

L Depravity of the Ashikaga Inner Circle

L Hosokawa Yoriyuki Assists Yoshimitsu

L Emperor Go-Kameyama Returns to KyÇto

Two Hours:

L Yoshimitsu's Extreme Extravagance

L Yoshimitsu's Audacity

L Yoshimitsu's Disdain for Our National Essence (kokutai)

Goal of the Main Period: This period consists of contrary materials for the teaching of our national history, namely Yoshimitsu's disloyalty, lack of goodness, and worsening audacity, and to make [the students] aware that one should not cause injury to the dignity of the nation and the dignity of the imperial throne [as did Yoshimitsu]. However, with respect to the cultural value of the Golden Pavilion, [the students] are to be made aware that as a representative (daihyÇteki) edifice of the Muromachi period, it is worthy of respect. ...

Classroom Materials: A map of KyÇto and the surrounding area; portrait of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu; wall picture of the Golden Pavilion; A wall picture onto which many picture postcards of the Golden Pavilion have been affixed; Japan-Ming China trade routes map.

Preparation: The map of Kyoto and vicinity and the portrait of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu are to be posted in the classroom from the start of the lesson. The picture postcards are to be set up at the back of the room with the intention of making [the students] look back to observe them.

THE ACTUAL CLASS

I. Preliminary Period Questions and Answers

1. Which reign as ShÇgun was Ashikaga Yoshimitsu?

If there is someone who answers "3rd reign," then talk about the reason and correct them.

2. Under which emperor's august reign did he live?

Confirm that he lived during the reigns of ChÇkei, Go-Kameyama, and Go-Komatsu. If necessary, have them look at a supplementary time line.

3. Who was the person who founded the Ashikaga Bakufu?

Takauji was the one who founded the Ashikaga Bakufu. Be sure to confirm that Yoshimitsu was the first ShÇgun.

4. Who made Yoshimitsu into the important person that he was?

Hosokawa Yoriyuki [a general that served under Yoshimitsu]

5. What sort of thing prompted Yoriyuki to resolve to raise up Yoshimitsu?

Talk about Yoshiakira's trust.

6. In what way did Yoriyuki exert himself on behalf of Yoshimitsu's education?

Some time in the preliminary period have them respond with story of the three supplications, the story of the small boy with hair, etc.

7. What was the venerable reason for Emperor Go-Kameyama's august return to KyÇto?

Confirm that it was because of his compassion for the long suffering of the people from strife and warfare.

II. Reveal the Goals of the Main Period

In the preliminary period, [we learned] that owing to the held of Hosokawa Yoshiyuki [Yoshimitsu] turned out to be a more-or-less impressive person, but today we will learn about the evil things Yoshimitsu did. (Write "Ashikaga Yoshimitsu" on board.)

III. Summary of Yoshimitsu's Life

Yoshimitsu was the third generation counting from Takauji. In former times it was said that riches last three generations, and that destruction is in the third generation. It was said that if the third generation is not made secure, [the lineage] will not continue any further. Although Yoshimitsu had a variety of faults, at any rate, perhaps because he was a sturdy person, the Ashikaga managed to squeak by for thirteen more generations. Counting from Takauji, there were fifteen generations. [Yoshimitsu] was the one who secured the authority of the Ashikaga clan, destroying independent-minded local rulers and beseeching Emperor Go-Kameyama to return to KyÇto. He took the post of ShÇgun at age twelve, and held the post for 26 years. Even after he retired, he held on to real political power until his death at age 51, making a total of roughly forty years connected with politics. On the other hand, viewed as a citizen (kokumin) or with respect to morality, he was a person who did extremely evil things. Owing to Yoriyuki's being forced to retire from the scene owing to slander against him, Yoshimitsu's actions became extremely evil.

IV. Extremes of Extravagance (write on board)

1. Comparison with the Kamakura Period: As for the Kamakura period, because the political policies established by Yoritomo enforced austerity and economy, the ShÇgun, the Regent, and the warriors all had extremely simple clothing, food, residences, etc., and the rank they humbly received from the imperial court was low. By contrast, the Ashikaga clan established its Bakufu in KyÇto. They mixed with the Fujiwara clan, which had been aristocrats since the Heian period, and the women of the ShÇgun's inner household, and even those in the kitchen, apparently came from Fujiwara clan nobility. Therefore, [the ShÇgun's] clothing and residences imitated those of the Fujiwara Clan, being gaudy and resplendent. The court rank [the Ashikaga] received was high, like that of the Fujiwara. In this way, the situation of the Ashikaga Clan differed from that of the Kamakura-period military households, and they should therefore be called "military household aristocrats" (write on board).

2. Yoshimitsu's court rank: The second year following Emperor Go-Kameyama's august return to KyÇto, in the august reign of Emperor Go-Komatsu, at 37 Yoshimitsu relinquished the office of ShÇgun to his son Yoshimochi. He then asked that he be appointed "DajÇ Daijin" (write on board). What sort of a position was DajÇ Daijin?—explain the meaning of the Sokuketsukan [another name for DajÇ Daijin, meaning that if someone of sufficient virtue is available, he will be appointed, but if not, no DajÇ Daijin will be appointed]. In what sort of cases would one receive court rank? Confirm that it is not the sort of thing one asks for one's self. Previously, who besides members of the Fujiwara Clan ever became DajÇ Daijin? Taira Kiyomori.

Yoshimitsu heard that the courtiers were opposed on the grounds that there was no precedent, and became extremely angry, and it is said that he forced members of the Fujiwara Clan to resign. Thereupon, the courtiers were at a loss over what to do faced as they were with such a violent person, so they petitioned the emperor that [Yoshimitsu] be appointed DajÇ Daijin.

Note: As the violent words of Yoshimitsu as recorded in the Ashikaga Jiranki are most inexcusable, considering how they might be taken even though they are facts, make your description vague as in the above text.

3. His residence: Earlier, at age 21, he built a resplendent residence in KyÇto's Muromachi district, and because he planted a variety of flowers, the people of the time called it "Hana no Gosho" [Honorable flower place] (write on board). Point out on the map of KyÇto in what area Muromachi was. Moreover utilizing the map on page 43 of the textbook for youngsters, make them recall its location. Explain that one name for the Ashikaga Bakufu is "Muromachi Bakufu" (write on board) and that the Ashikaga Period is called the "Muromachi Period" (write on board).

4. His second residence: Yoshimitsu also build a splendid residence at Kitayama. This was called what?—"Kinkaku" (write on board). Using the insert in the textbook and the wall picture of Kinkaku, explain the following essential points. Also have them know the location of Kitayama using the Map of KyÇto.

A. Kinkaku was one pavilion of his Kitayama retreat. It consists of three stories, and the doors and walls of the third story are all plated in gold leaf, which is why this pavilion is called Golden Pavilion. As a result of Yoshimitsu's will after he died, it was made into a temple, and is commonly called the Golden Pavilion Temple (Kinkakuji). That time was an age in which little gold was produced, and to construct something of this stature was excessive luxury.

B. According to records of the time, it is recorded that up until the retreat at Kitayama was completed, the cost of the residence and the garden combined came to 1,000,000 kan [of silver]. That would be on the order of 300,000,000 yen in today's currency [1937]. For 300,000,000 yen one could construct three domed buildings.

Note: Because in those days one kanmon equated with one koku of rice, we can estimate that a koku of rice would have cost 30 [of today's] yen.

C. Although Yoshimitsu constructed such a luxurious retreat that was the ultimate in extravagance, the structure that remains today is essential for the purpose of understanding construction during the Muromachi period, it highly refined, and is an elegant architectural style, as it is an excellent historical reference, it is worthy of respect.

Its first and second stories are in the manner of Heian period noble residences, and the third story is a kind of temple construction known as tansã, that first developed in the Kamakura period. The fact that Muromachi construction arose from Heian and Kamakura elements, is like the construction of today that suits Japanese tastes by mixing Japanese and western styles. Also, the Golden Pavilion's garden is well designed, and the scenery in spring, summer, fall, and winter is excellent. As there are picture postcards of the Golden Pavilion's winter scenery in the back of the room, it is fine to point this out and then look. Also, because there are postcards of other dimensions of the Golden Pavilion, it is desirable that [the students] look them over later.

5. Tensan DÇgi: Yoshimitsu lived [at the Golden Pavilion] after handing over the office of ShÇgun to his son Yoshimochi. He shaved his head and styled himself "Tensan DÇgi" (write on board), but continued to control government. Thereupon, both Bakufu officials and Imperial Court officials came [to the Golden Pavilion] to beg for [Yoshimitsu's] decision. The portrait of Yoshimitsu that has been unrolled is of this (explain the wall picture).

V. Yoshimitsu's Audacity

1. The significance of his audacity: As discussed above, Yoshimitsu was excessively extravagant, but an even worse thing was that fact that did many things that were truly inexcusable for someone of his status as an imperial subject. What was this? If anyone knows, have them say. This was "senjÇ" [audacity, forwardness]. The "sen" [of senjÇ] means "to imitate," so the term means "to imitate one's superiors." Specifically it indicates and imperial subject imitating the emperor. Here is an example.

2. Example of senjÇ: Talk about when he ascended Mt. Hiei and pretended to carry out the JÇkÇ gokÇ (rough translation: honorable prosperity for the emperor above) ceremony, forcing the Regent and all lesser imperial officials to follow behind him. Furthermore:

3. Supplement: Talk about when Emperor Go-Komatsu made his honorable way to Yoshimitsu's retreat at Kitayama, Yoshimitsu set up a seat exactly like the [emperor's] jewel throne on the west side of the [emperor's] jewel throne, which he forcibly made his own seat, and then on the east side of the [emperor's] jewel throne he set up a seat for his son Yoshimochi, making all the other court officials from the Regent down line up below. With respect to these behaviors, how would the people have felt at the time? Talk about how although they may have been angry inside, there was nothing they could say in the face of the frightful power of Yoshimitsu. Next bring up the following story and use it to clarify good and evil.

4. Comparison with [Minamoto] Yoritomo: Compared with [Ashikaga Yoshimitsu], [Minamoto] Yoritomo was well aware of his status as an imperial subject. Once when he received [a letter] from a monk of TÇdaiji referring to Yoritomo as "kimi" (roughly: lord), he said that in our country, the term kimi is not to be used for anyone except the emperor, and he firmly chastened the messenger [who had brought the letter].

5. "With Respect to Foreign Countries" (write on board): What has been mentioned thus far were domestic matters, but moreover, Yoshimitsu injured the dignity of our nation vis-a-vis foreign countries, showing extreme rudeness. With regard to this matter, explain the following points:

A. At that time, China (shina) was prospering under the Ming dynasty (use the Japan-Ming trade routes map).

B. So as to curry favor with the Ming ruler [shu, distinctly less than "emperor"] and receive the profits of trade, Yoshimitsu submitted formal documents with his [here meaning Yoshimitsu's own or the Japanese emperor's] signature placed low [note: the position of signatures and names on documents was an important aspect of protocol].

C. On official Ming documents it was written "Minamoto Michiyoshi, King of Japan." [note: The Ashikaga ShÇguns—and all subsequent rulers or ShÇguns—claimed Minamoto descent. "Minamoto Michiyoshi" here is just another name for Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.]

D. Yoshimitsu accepted these documents and in official communications from Japan wrote "King of Japan, Minister Minamoto" (write on board), and used Ming Chinese reign dates.

{This is about 75% of the lesson plan. I ran out of time to translate the rest, but surely you get the point by now.}

This page is part of www.east-asian-history.net. If you arrived here via a link from within the site, simply close this window or tab to return. If you arrived here via a web search or an external link, click the icon at left to go to the home page or click this link to go to the index page for the textbooks: www.east-asian-history.net/textbooks/.