Nanboku-chō period

The Nanboku-chō period (南北朝時代, Nanboku-chō jidai), also known as the Northern and Southern Courts period, was a time in Japanese history from 1336 to 1392. During this time, there were two rival imperial courts, each claiming to be the true ruler of Japan. This conflict happened while the Muromachi (Ashikaga) shogunate was forming and trying to control the country.

The dispute began after the fall of the Kamakura shogunate in 1333 and the failure of the Kenmu Restoration in 1336. This left a question about who truly had the right to rule. The Northern Court, supported by the new Ashikaga shogunate, was often seen as the official ruler. However, the Southern Court held the Japanese Imperial Treasures, special items that showed an emperor's right to lead.

For many years, history books said the Northern Court was the right one. But later, in 1911, Emperor Meiji said that the Southern Court had been the real ruler all along. This period was important because it showed how power struggles could affect who was seen as the true leader of a country. It also changed the lives of many people, as the rules about land and wealth were shifting, affecting nobles and warriors alike. The changes that began with the Kamakura bakufu continued, altering the social structure of Japan.

Background

There were two imperial courts during this time. The Northern Imperial Court was in Kyoto, led by Ashikaga Takauji. The Southern Imperial Court was in Yoshino, led by Emperor Go-Daigo.

The courts fought because of disagreements after the Mongol invasions of Japan and the failure of the Kenmu Restoration. Some people wanted the emperor to have more power, while others wanted a military government. These disagreements caused a long struggle between the two courts.

Main article: Kenmu Restoration

Internal conflicts: 1350s

In the 1350s, fights began between members of the Ashikaga family, causing trouble for the new government. Ashikaga Tadayoshi and his brother Takauji disagreed on how to lead. Tadayoshi preferred old traditions, while Takauji wanted new ideas. This led to arguments and confusion.

These disagreements weakened the government. Some people who once supported the Ashikaga family changed sides and aided the Southern Court. This made battles more difficult for Takauji. As a result, the Southern Court grew stronger and tried to take power from the Ashikaga leaders.

Rise of the shugo lords

The shōgun Ashikaga Takauji chose members of his family to be shugo lords in many parts of western and central Japan. These included families like the Hosokawa, Yamana, Imagawa, Hatakeyama, Niki, Kira, Shiba, Ishido, and the Isshiki. These lords worked as governors. They helped link the central government with local areas. They had more power than leaders before them. They could solve problems, enforce laws, and collect taxes.

As time passed, these shugo lords became very powerful. They were responsible for collecting taxes from landowners and samurai. This sometimes meant they took more control than the central government wanted. Some local families kept their power even under the new leaders, and a few even rebelled. The shugo lords used their roles to build strong connections with local warriors. This helped them take care of the land and keep order.

Consolidation of power: 1360–1370

Large guardian statues were made in 1339 at the Kinpusen-ji temple.

After a leader died in 1358, his son took over. With help from a key advisor, the government worked to connect local leaders more closely to the central rule in the 1360s and 1370s. They created a new system to link these leaders directly to the government, which made the central authority stronger.

This new system had a council to help make big decisions. It let local leaders share their ideas but also kept them loyal to the central government. The leader used these links to stay in control and deal with problems from powerful families. Over time, this helped make the government's power stronger during a busy and changing time in history.

Centralization of power: 1379–1399

After many years, the leaders of the Muromachi period made their control stronger. Powerful local leaders started to follow the central government more, which made resistance weaker. The government built a stronger army and worked more closely with important families. This helped it control more areas.

The leader, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, persuaded a weaker emperor to give up important treasures in 1392. Though they agreed to share power, this promise was later broken. The government focused mainly on central and western parts of Japan, leaving other areas to local leaders. Over time, the Muromachi period became Japan’s strongest government.

Administration

Fighting lasted almost 30 years between two groups in Japan. Ashikaga Takauji wanted to lead the country. He had three main plans to gain power. He made stronger promises to his warriors, used local leaders as governors, and let warriors take half of the land from nobles.

These plans helped Takauji control more land and people. In earlier times, during the Kamakura period, warriors managed land for nobles but were loyal to both nobles and the leader. Takauji changed this by making warriors loyal only to him. This helped keep peace and support his rule.

Legacy

Since the 1800s, many people have thought the emperors from the Southern Imperial Court were the real emperors of Japan. They believed this because the Southern Court had important treasures and a famous book written by Kitabatake Chikafusa that supported their claim.

These events still affect how people in Japan view the emperor today. In 1911, an official announcement said the Southern Court emperors were the rightful rulers. After World War II, some people said they were descendants of the Southern Court and questioned the current imperial family.

Main article: Jinnō Shōtōki
Further information: State Shinto

Southern Court emperors

The Southern Court had emperors who said they were the true rulers of Japan. Emperor Go-Daigo reigned from 1318 to 1339. He was exiled but came back to power. Emperor Go-Murakami ruled from 1339 to 1368 and was briefly the emperor for all of Japan. Emperor Chōkei reigned from 1368 to 1383, and Emperor Go-Kameyama ruled from 1383 to 1392. In 1392, Emperor Go-Kameyama stopped his claim, ending the fight between the two courts.

Northern Court emperors

After Emperor Go-Daigo was exiled, the Kamakura shogunate chose Kōgon of the Jimyōin line to rule Japan in October 1331. He was later replaced during the Kenmu Restoration. This restoration did not last, and then his younger brother took power in 1336 with help from the new Ashikaga shogunate.

The Northern Court had several emperors. These included Emperor Kōgon, Emperor Kōmyō, Emperor Sukō, Emperor Go-Kōgon, Emperor Go-En'yū, and Emperor Go-Komatsu. In 1392, the Southern Court stopped their claim. Then Emperor Go-Komatsu became the ruler of all of Japan until he stepped down in 1412.

Explanatory footnotes

a.**^**Shugo (守護?) was a special title, often called "Governor". Important leaders in old Japan, called shōgun, gave this title to people to watch over areas called provinces.

b.**^**To "enfeoff" means to give someone land to care for, like a reward.

c.**^**An old book called the Taiheiki has a story about a man named Tadayoshi and his plan.