Niki Yoriaki

Niki Yoriaki (1299–1359) was a senior general and steward to Ashikaga Takauji, founder of the Muromachi shogunate. Son of Niki Yoshikatsu, he was born in Mikawa and followed Takauji from 1333, holding Tanba against the Southern Court when Takauji fled to Kyūshū. He rejoined him after Minatogawa in 1336, helped retake Kyoto from Nitta Yoshisada, and fought at Kanegasaki and Shijōnawate.

In the Kannō Disturbance he backed Takauji and became steward in 1351, holding several governorships as the office grew into the kanrei post. He took vows after Takauji's death in 1358 and died in Kyoto in 1359.