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 between 1336 and 1392. It happened during the early years of the Muromachi (Ashikaga) shogunate. During this period, there were two rival imperial courts, each claiming to be the true ruler of Japan and arguing over who should sit on the Chrysanthemum Throne.

The Southern Court and the Northern Court were the two opposing sides. The Southern Court was based in Yoshino, while the Northern Court was in Kyoto, under the control of the Ashikaga shogunate. The conflict began after the fall of the Kamakura shogunate in 1333 and the failure of the Kenmu Restoration in 1336, which left a question about who had the right to rule.

In the end, the Southern Court gave up its claim in 1392, and the Northern Court was recognized as the official ruler. However, for many years, historians debated which court was the real legitimate one. The Northern Court was controlled by the shogunate and was seen by some as puppets, while the Southern Court held the Japanese Imperial Treasures, sacred items that showed an emperor's right to rule. In 1911, Emperor Meiji officially stated that the Southern Court had been the legitimate ruler during this time. This period was important because it showed the struggles between different groups in Japan and how the rules of leadership were decided.

Background

There were two imperial courts during this time: the Northern Imperial Court in Kyoto, started by Ashikaga Takauji, and the Southern Imperial Court in Yoshino, started by Emperor Go-Daigo.

The main reasons for the conflict between these courts were disputes over power after the Mongol invasions of Japan and the failure of the Kenmu Restoration. The Kenmu Restoration tried to bring back the power of the emperor, but it failed because the samurai were unhappy with the changes. Ashikaga Takauji then started his own government, leading to a long struggle between the two courts.

Kenmu Restoration: 1333–1336

Main article: Kenmu Restoration

In 1333, Emperor Go-Daigo tried to restore the emperor's power with the help of his supporters. However, this effort failed because the samurai wanted land rewards and a military government like the one before. When Ashikaga Takauji rebelled against the emperor, it led to the start of the Nanboku-chō War, a long conflict between the two courts.

Internal conflicts: 1350s

During the 1350s, tensions grew between brothers Ashikaga Takauji and Ashikaga Tadayoshi, who were both important leaders in Japan. Their conflict began when Takauji chose a new deputy, which upset Tadayoshi. This led to a big problem called the Kannō disturbance. Tadayoshi tried to remove his brother’s deputy but failed. He was forced to leave his position and became a Buddhist monk. However, he later joined forces with the Southern Court, a group that opposed his brother, and fought against Takauji. Though he won some battles, he was eventually defeated and died under mysterious circumstances.

The conflict was not just personal; it also involved disagreements about how to run the country. Takauji wanted to make changes and reward his warriors with land, while Tadayoshi preferred to keep old traditions and systems. These differences weakened their leadership and gave strength to their enemies, including the Southern Court, which used these divisions to challenge their rule.

Rise of the shugo lords

The shōgun Ashikaga Takauji appointed branch family members as shugo lords in various provinces of western and central Japan. These included the Hosokawa, Yamana, Imagawa, Hatakeyama, Niki, Kira, Shiba, Ishido, and Isshiki families. These shugo lords acted as governors, linking the central government with local areas. They had more power than leaders from the earlier Kamakura period, handling disputes, collecting taxes, and enforcing laws.

Over time, some shugo lords gained even more control. They took over lands that belonged to nobles and gave parts of them to local warriors in exchange for loyalty and military support. This helped them build stronger influence in their regions.

Consolidation of power: 1360–1370

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

After the death of Takauji in 1358, his son Yoshiakira took over. With the help of Hosokawa Yoriyuki, they worked to bring the shugo lords into the government. They created a system called the kanrei council, which included powerful shugo families. This helped strengthen the government's control and allowed them to manage the shugo lords better.

The kanrei council included important families like the Hosokawa, Hatakeyama, and Shiba. These families took turns leading the council, which helped make decisions together with the shōgun. This system tied the military leaders closer to the government, making it easier to manage Japan’s central and western areas.

In 1362, two powerful families, the Ouchi and the Yamana, agreed to follow the Ashikaga rule as long as they could control their own lands. Later, conflicts arose when some families grew too powerful, leading to the shōgun using other lords to keep them in check. By the end of this period, the Ashikaga had gained more control, though challenges remained in fully uniting all regions under one rule.

Centralization of power: 1379–1399

During the 1360s, many powerful lords began to submit to the Muromachi regime, making resistance from the Southern Court less likely. The regime could call on these lords to attack each other, showing growing control. New systems and ties to the imperial court helped strengthen the shogun's rule.

The shogun tightened control by bringing powerful lords to Kyoto. This restricted their movement and power. The shogun also built a new army, which helped keep the lords in line. By using both military force and clever politics, the shogun prevented any one lord from becoming too powerful. The regime also gained wealth from taxes and trade in Kyoto, which helped support its rule.

Administration

Serious fighting lasted nearly 30 years between two rival imperial courts before Ashikaga Takauji and his supporters won control. To build his power, Takauji used three main strategies: strengthening ties with samurai warriors, using regional lords called shugo as governors, and allowing samurai to take half of estate lands while still protecting the estate system.

These policies helped the Ashikaga shogunate connect with both warriors and nobles. During the earlier Kamakura period, samurai stewards balanced their duties to the shogun and the noble owners of the land they managed. The Ashikaga shoguns continued these traditions while also giving more power to regional lords, which helped keep both warrior and noble interests alive.

Legacy

Since the 19th century, many people have viewed the Emperors of the Southern Imperial Court as the true Emperors of Japan. They believed this because the Southern Court had important sacred treasures and a famous book written by Kitabatake Chikafusa that supported their rule.

The events from this time still affect how people in Japan think about the emperor today. In 1911, an official announcement said the Southern Court emperors were the rightful rulers. After World War II, some people claimed they were descendants of the Southern Court and said the current imperial family was not the true one.

Southern Court emperors

The Southern Court had four emperors who claimed to be the rightful rulers of Japan during the Nanboku-chō period. The first was Emperor Go-Daigo, who was exiled but later reclaimed his throne before facing new challenges from the Ashikaga shogunate.

Next was Emperor Go-Murakami, who briefly ruled all of Japan until tensions flared again. Emperor Chōkei and finally Emperor Go-Kameyama followed. In 1392, Emperor Go-Kameyama gave up his claim, ending the conflict between the two courts.

Northern Court emperors

Following the exile of Emperor Go-Daigo, the Kamakura shogunate chose Kōgon of the Jimyōin line to rule Japan in October 1331. He was later replaced during the Kenmu Restoration, leading to a series of emperors supported by the Ashikaga shogunate.

The Northern Court included emperors such as Emperor Kōgon, Emperor Kōmyō, Emperor Sukō, Emperor Go-Kōgon, Emperor Go-En'yū, and Emperor Go-Komatsu. Eventually, Emperor Go-Komatsu became the sole ruler of Japan after the Southern Court gave up their claim in 1392.

Explanatory footnotes

a.^ Shugo (守護?) was a title given to certain officials in old Japan. They were chosen by the shōgun to watch over one or more areas, or provinces, of the country.

b.^ The word "to enfeoff" means to give someone a piece of land to own and control.

c.^ There is a story about someone named Tadayoshi planning to harm another person named Moronao. This story comes from a book called the Taiheiki.