The 17 Articles of the House Code of the Asakura Clan
Asakura Toshikage
“If you can discern between truth and falsehood, prepare for orthodox and surprise attacks secretly, be flexible in all situations, and depend on a good stratagem, then your victory is assured.”
The Onin War was a bloody struggle for power…
Many Samurai Warriors fought and gave their lives so that the balance of power would be shifted in directions they believed would make lives better for their lords and for their descendants.
Enter the Asakura Clan:
Who were the Asakura Clan? They claimed descent from a family lineage stemming from the Emperor Temmu, who was the 40th Emperor of Japan. The Asakura family settled in Tajima province some time around 800AD, later moving to Echizen province and serving the Shiba Clan.
Then came Asakura Toshikage…
Asakura Toshikage sensed a major opportunity. Unhappy with the decisions being made by the Shiba clan, the leader of the Asakura Clan, Toshikage, organized his followers and gained external influence.
He eventually overthrew the Shiba clan and took control of Echizen province. Toshikage (1428-1481) was a lead strategist in many major battles, including some in the famous Onin War which sparked the Sengoku Period.
Toshikage managed to win most of these battles, and led the Asakura clan to a place of strong reputation and honor.
But this was NOT enough…
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
Everything Toshikage fought for was at risk.
He was getting older, wars were breaking out all over Japan. He knew death would soon come for him, and he would be leaving his House, his Family, in the hands of the next generation.
The Asakura House Laws
Soon after seizing power for the Asakura, Toshikage immediately set in place the now famous “17 Article Injunction of the Asakura House Code” to ensure his descendants wouldn’t… well… mess things up!
He wanted to strengthen and solidify his clan both in military power, and in the unity and effectiveness of his people. He even invited scholars from various areas of Japan to give their insights and knowledge to this purpose.
The Legacy of a Man Lives Forever
Toshikage had given massive effort and great risk by fighting against the Shiba clan - the last thing he wanted was for this effort, and the blood and sacrifice of his followers to go to waste.
The Asakura Clan went on to hold power for another 100 years, until they sided against the powerful warlord Oda Nobunaga. They chose the losing side, and were smashed and scattered.
Did their descendants follow the house code? Did the Asakura Clan implement these laws strictly? As we know, having standards and laws does not necessarily mean that we follow them! Toshikage must have seen good reason for these, and he must have had the best of intentions for his clan. Is there still wisdom to be gained from these Samurai House Codes from the 1400s?