The first shogun of the Muromachi shogunate. He was first called Takauji (written with a different first character), and set out under orders from the Kamakura shogunate to strike at Emperor Go-Daigo; but the emperor persuaded him, and he attacked the Kamakura shogunate instead. For this service he was given a character from the emperor’s own name (Takaharu) and became Takauji. In 1336 he set up Emperor Komyo of the Northern Court and came into conflict with Go-Daigo. Having deposed Go-Daigo, he became shogun and the founder of the Muromachi shogunate. He is said to have loved the sho, to have been well read, and to have been skilled in painting and calligraphy.