Nanboku-chō period
was a Japanese samurai of the Nanboku-chō period who was the first to hold the position of "Shitsuji" ("Shōgun"s Deputy). He was appointed by Ashikaga Takauji, the first "shōgun" of the Ashikaga shogunate. As Deputy, he served not only an administrative governmental function, but also as general of the Shogun's armies. He fought for the Ashikaga against the loyalist forces of the Southern Court during the wars of the Nanboku-chō period and killed its generals Kitabatake Akiie and Kusunoki Masayuki.