1157 (Hōgen 2, 5th month): Minamoto no Yoshiyasu died, and Yoshikane became the head of the Ashikaga clan.
About1175–1180 (Angen,Jishō eras): He visited the capitalKyoto, and served princess Hachijyōin Akiko Naishinnō in her court as a court official Kurōdo (蔵人).Prince Mochihito who called for the revolt againstHeike later was Princess Akiko's adopted son.Minamoto no Yukiie who conveyed the command of a prince to various places became her court's Kurōdo later, too.
1180 (Jishō 4): After Minamoto no Yoritomo raised an army against Heike inIzu Province, Yoshikane who had returned toAshikagaManor joined it soon afterwards.
1181 (Jishō 5, 2nd month): Yoshikane married a daughter ofHōjō Tokimasa, Tokiko by intermediation of Yoritomo and became the brother-in-law of him.[1]
1189 (Bunji 5, 7th–9th month): In theŌshū War, he served as one of the commanders of the Kamakura administration forces, and arrested a guardian ofFujiwara no Yasuhira.
1190 (Kenkyū 1, 1st–3rd month): In theŌkawa Kanetō rebellion, he was appointed the commander in chief of the Kamakura administration forces, and subjugated the revolt.
1195 (Kenkyū 6, 3rd month): He became a Buddhist monk; and he took the name Gishō (義称).[1] He retreated to Kabasakidera temple in Ashikaga, Shimotsuke Province. It is said that this secluded life was to escape from political dispute.[3]
^Yoritomo was appointed theSei-i Taishōgun in 1192, plainly promoted the hindrance's exclusion for the establishment of own dictatorship. He has killed his relatives including his brother Noriyori,Yasuda Yoshisada and Yasuda Yoshisuke in successively.
