It is said that the relationship between his father Yoshimitsu and him was bad, and even though he was given the shogun post by his father at the age of 9 in 1934 (Ouei 1), he had no real power while Yoshimitsu as Grand Minister was still alive.
義満との父子関係は険悪であったとされ、1394年（応永元）に9歳で義満より将軍職を譲られるが、太政大臣となった義満の在世中は実権がなかった。