Ashikaga Takauji

Ashikaga Takauji, the Prince of Kamakura

Ashikaga Takauji, the shogun and the “Prince of Kamakura,” did not discriminate against or hate others; he trusted people and did not doubt them; even toward his enemies, he was never cruel but always forgiving; he spared no expense and gave everything he had to others without hesitation; he knew no fear; even in life-threatening situations, he remained calm enough to compose waka poems; and he was also a devoted practitioner of Zen. In short, Takauji was a charismatic figure who even men found captivating.