Hosokawa Yoriyuki vs Jo Gwang-jo

Hosokawa Yoriyuki was appointed kanrei (deputy shogun) to assist the young Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. He became the de facto ruler of the shogunate during Yoshimitsu's minority, managing both military and civil affairs.

Yoriyuki enacted reforms to stabilize the shogunate's finances, including land surveys, tax collection improvements, and measures to curb corruption among provincial governors. These reforms strengthened central authority and reduced unrest.

Yoriyuki moved to check the growing power of the Yamana clan, who controlled multiple provinces. He ordered Yamana Ujikiyo to reduce his holdings, a decision that created lasting enmity between the Hosokawa and Yamana clans.

Yoriyuki was forced to resign as kanrei after losing the favor of Shogun Yoshimitsu, who had come of age and wanted to rule directly. His dismissal marked the end of his influence, though he remained a powerful daimyo.

Jo Gwang-jo advocated for the appointment of neo-Confucian scholars to government positions, bypassing the traditional aristocratic families. He promoted the sarim (forest of scholars) faction, which emphasized moral integrity and learning.

Jo Gwang-jo implemented the hyangyak system of local self-governance based on Confucian principles. These community compacts promoted mutual aid, moral education, and local autonomy, aiming to create a virtuous society.

Jo Gwang-jo proposed reforms to reduce the privileges of the yangban aristocracy, including limiting land holdings and abolishing the practice of selling government positions. These measures faced strong opposition from the established elite.

Jo Gwang-jo was executed during the Literati Purge of 1519, a crackdown on the sarim faction by conservative officials. His death marked the failure of his reform movement and the temporary suppression of neo-Confucian activism.