NSA - The Court of Hino Tomiko

APPROXIMATE COMMITTEE SIZE: 25 delegates

The court of Hino Tomiko sits at the center of a fragile succession struggle within the Ashikaga shogunate. As Yoshimasa’s wife and the mother of the newly born Yoshihisa, Tomiko’s court has the chance to convert family ties into political power. Although Tomiko is not formally in the running to be the new Shogun, her son is, and his infancy would allow her to rule as de facto regent and situate her in a position of influence rarely held by a figure outside of the shogunate itself. Tomiko’s court is uniquely positioned to leverage its influence and elite connections, but any move will be closely watched by rival factions and could determine whether Yoshihisa’s future is secured or lost. In this committee, delegates must act decisively without appearing reckless, as in a court where personal relationships now shape state survival, their actions could either stabilize the succession or deepen the divisions that are pulling Kyoto into war. With so much power and influence on the line, how will delegates champion Tomiko’s cause and shape the future of the Shogunate?

CHAIR: Alexander Zhou

ISSUES TO CONSIDER

Issue 1: Secure Ashikaga Yoshihisa’s Succession: Tomiko’s support for her son Yoshihisa places her at the forefront of the shogunate succession dispute. How can Tomiko build enough support to secure Yoshihisa’s succession? 

Issue 2: Maintain Political Governance: The Ashikaga government is weakening as factional rivalries spread through Kyoto. How can Tomiko’s court keep the shogunate functioning and maintain political legitimacy while competing factions threaten to tear the court apart? 

Issue 3: Expand Women’s Political Influence: Tomiko is heavily involved in shogunate politics. How can her court strengthen women’s authority and political voices while operating in a system dominated by male military elites? 

About the Chair

Alexander Zhou is a member of the class of 2029, currently studying International Political Economy at the School of Foreign Service of Georgetown University. Born and raised in Hong Kong, he completed high school in Shanghai, China, and speaks English, Cantonese, Mandarin Chinese, and French. Alex is deeply passionate about history and philosophy and is pursuing minors in French and Theology at Georgetown. In his free time, Alex likes to bike, work out, and play tennis with his friends. Unfortunately, he has mediocre musical taste, and his favorite album is Bruno Mars’s 24K Magic. A fun fact about Alex is that he writes with his left hand and constantly laments the discomfort of writing on tables designed for right-handed individuals on campus. He is excited to meet everyone in February 2027.