Site of Hosokawa Katsumoto’s Mansion
[HIGASHIJIN]
Hosokawa Katsumoto (1430–1473) was a high-ranking samurai and deputy to the shogun who is remembered mainly for his role in the outbreak of the Onin War (1467–1477), a civil war that laid waste to most of Kyoto.
Hosokawa feuded with his father-in-law, Yamana Sozen (1404–1473), over matters including who would succeed shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa (1436–1490). This power struggle led to war, with Hosokawa striking first. Hosokawa’s army held the northeastern part of the city, while Sozen controlled the western side. The Hosokawa-held part of Kyoto later came to be called Higashijin, or “eastern position,” and Sozen’s former domains were named Nishijin, “western position.”
Despite his reputation as a fierce martial figure, Hosokawa was also well-versed in the arts, as was typical for warriors of his rank at the time. He had a hand in creating the famous Zen rock garden at Ryoanji Temple in 1450. Though the temple and its garden were destroyed during the Onin War, Hosokawa’s son later went on to restore them to their former glory.
There is no formal monument to mark the site of Hosokawa’s residence, which is thought to have been surrounded by an expansive garden.