King of Japan

Japanese: 日本国王 - にほんこくおう

A title used by the Shoguns of the Muromachi Shogunate in diplomacy with the Ming Dynasty of China. In 1402, the Ming Dynasty sent a letter of recitation to Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, who had expressed a desire for trade, stating that "King of Japan, Minamoto Dogi." Yoshimitsu welcomed the letter and called himself "King of Japan, Minister Minamoto," but this title and Yoshimitsu's diplomatic stance drew criticism from nobles, warriors, and monks. However, by paying homage to the Ming Dynasty and engaging in trade as a form of tribute, Yoshimitsu not only made his position as King of Japan clear, but also paved the way for enormous profits for the Shogunate. From then on, every Shogun except Ashikaga Yoshimochi used the title. → Tribute Trade

Source : Heibonsha Encyclopedia About MyPedia Information

Japanese:

中国明(みん)との外交に室町幕府の将軍が使用した称号。1402年，交易を希望していた将軍足利義満に対し，明は〈日本国王源道義〉と記した詔書を返付。この返牒を歓迎した義満は〈日本国王臣源〉と自称したが，この称号や義満の外交姿勢に対して公・武・僧の非難が集中。しかし義満は明に対して臣礼をとり，朝貢の形で貿易を行うことによって，日本国王としての立場を明らかにするとともに，幕府に莫大な利益をもたらす道を開いた。以後，足利義持を除く歴代将軍が使用。→朝貢貿易

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