ABSTRACT
The riches necessary to maintain the city in this state were derived, of course, from the common people, who had to be taxed almost fantastically to provide them. Japanese peasants have always been long-suffering under oppression, but during this period they were often goaded into desperate demonstrations of resistance. Riots usually followed a natural calamity, a drought or flood, which had destroyed the crops and brought on famine. In the wake of famine came epidemics when thousands of the sick and starving crowded into the brilliant capital, hoping for help. Little or nothing was done for them, and the records mention hundreds dying daily in the streets. Because of these things, the name of the Ashikagas in Japanese history is synonymous with callous indifference and maladministration. But the shoguns under whom this happened had become only figureheads of government. Even the strongest of the line, Yoshimitsu, had been unable to coerce the greater of his vassals when they cared to resist him. It is related, for instance, that he once asked Lord Ouchi for help in building the Gold Pavilion. But that baron, being at the time disinclined, and strong enough to do so, replied with cold significance,
tinued to build their fine houses and gardens. It was during this time and, doubtless due in large measure to the increase of moderate-sized houses, that architecture underwent a radical change. The old shinden had been simplified into the military mansion in Kamakura and now another modification created the sho-in style. The sho-in itself was a library or study, the chief room in a house or small temple occupied by a scholar. A low writing table built into a wmdow embrasure was its distinguishing feature. Another architectural characteristic which became widespread about this time was the recess constructed against an inner wall in which was displayed a paint-
ing or other work of art. This recess, called the tokonoma, has survived to the present day as the chief ornamental feature of a Japanese living room.
