Yoshimasa

Yoshimasa is a masculine given name of Japanese origin. It is commonly written with the kanji characters 義政, meaning “righteous governance,” though alternative spellings exist in Japanese kanji combinations.

The most prominent bearer of the name is Ashikaga Yoshimasa (足利義政; 1436–1490), the eighth shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate in Japan. He held power as shogun from 1449 to 1473, after which he abdicated in favor of his son but remained an influential figure at court. His tenure encompassed the Onin War, a major civil conflict from 1467 to 1477 that devastated Kyoto and weakened centralized authority, contributing to the ensuing era of fragmented rule in the region.

Yoshimasa is also remembered for cultural patronage that helped shape what is known as Higashiyama culture. Under his influence, arts such as the tea ceremony, Noh theater, garden design, and Zen aesthetics flourished, leaving a lasting imprint on Japanese cultural history. He initiated the project that would become the Silver Pavilion (Ginkaku-ji) in Kyoto, conceived as part of his retirement villa. The temple’s exterior was intended to be clad in silver foil, a plan that was never realized, yet the site remains a symbol of his era.

In modern usage, Yoshimasa continues to be a common given name for Japanese males, with various possible kanji spellings.