“Magnificent. A remarkable tale, told with verve, incorporating the latest scholarship, and bringing to life the world of the Ashikaga shoguns—their successes, failures, and undeniable imprint on pivotal centuries of Japan’s medieval past.”

Thomas D. Conlan, professor of Japanese history, Princeton University

“This thorough history of the Ashikaga lineage of shoguns accomplishes something remarkable. It eludes the trap of simplistic biographical history by delving deep into context and culture, providing coverage of the entire age. It offers an innovative account of one of Japan’s most influential samurai families while also puncturing pernicious myths about samurai society and culture. Best of all, it engages in close reading of diverse primary sources while delivering a narrative that is accessible, stimulating, and significant.”

Morgan Pitelka, Bernard L. Herman Distinguished Professor of Japanese History, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill