Difference between Muromachi and Ashikaga


One of my books notes that the Muromachi and Ashikaga Periods, 室町時代 and 足利時代
respectively, can be used to name the same period of time (1333-1568), but I'm
lost on what the difference is and when I should use which.




「[足利時代]{あしかがじだい}」 is just another name for 「[室町]{むろまち}時代」; There is no
difference in what the two terms refer to. The former name exists because it
was the 足利 family who were in control during that period (1336 - 1573). The
latter is the usual name we learn in school in Japan.

It is like calling 「[江戸]{えど}時代」 as 「[徳川]{とくがわ}時代」; The former is more common.

One just sounds more "neutral" referring to a period without using a family
name.




「[足利時代]{あしかがじだい}」 is just another name for 「[室町]{むろまち}時代」; There is no
difference in what the two terms refer to. The former name exists because it
was the 足利 family who were in control during that period (1336 - 1573). The
latter is the usual name we learn in school in Japan.

It is like calling 「[江戸]{えど}時代」 as 「[徳川]{とくがわ}時代」; The former is more common.

One just sounds more "neutral" referring to a period without using a family
name.

