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 period, 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 main reasons for the conflict between these courts were disagreements among warrior groups after the Mongol invasions of Japan and the failure of the Kenmu Restoration. This was a time when some people wanted the emperor to have more power, while others wanted a military government like the one before. These disagreements led to a long struggle between the two courts.

Main article: Kenmu Restoration

Internal conflicts: 1350s

During the 1350s, conflicts grew between members of the Ashikaga family, which led to problems for the new government. Ashikaga Tadayoshi and his brother Takauji had different ideas about how to run things. Tadayoshi wanted to keep old ways, while Takauji wanted new changes. This caused fights and confusion.

These disagreements made it hard for the government to stay strong. Some people who used to support the Ashikaga family switched sides and helped the Southern Court. This made the battles even harder for Takauji. The Southern Court grew stronger because of these changes, and they tried to take control from the Ashikaga leaders.

Rise of the shugo lords

The shōgun Ashikaga Takauji appointed members of his family as shugo lords in various provinces across western and central Japan. These included families like the Hosokawa, Yamana, Imagawa, Hatakeyama, Niki, Kira, Shiba, Ishido, and the Isshiki. These lords acted as governors, helping to connect the central government with local areas. They had more power than leaders from an earlier time, able to handle disputes, enforce laws, and collect taxes.

Over time, these shugo lords grew very powerful. They were given the job of collecting taxes from landowners and samurai, which sometimes led them to take more control than the central government liked. Some local families kept their power even under the new leaders, and a few even rebelled. The shugo lords used their positions to build strong ties with local warriors, helping them manage the land and keep order.

Consolidation of power: 1360–1370

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

After the death of one leader in 1358, the rule passed to his son. Under his guidance and that of a key advisor, the government worked to bring local leaders closer to central control in the 1360s and 1370s. This was achieved through a new system that connected these leaders directly to the government, strengthening the central authority.

This new system included a council that helped make important decisions, ensuring that local leaders had a voice but also remained loyal to the central government. The leader used these connections to maintain control and address any challenges from powerful families. Over time, this helped solidify the government's power during a complex and changing period in history.

Centralization of power: 1379–1399

After many years, the leaders of the Muromachi period strengthened their control. Powerful local leaders began to follow the central government more closely, making resistance weaker. The government built a stronger army and worked more closely with important families, which 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

Serious fighting lasted nearly 30 years between two rival groups. Ashikaga Takauji, who wanted to lead Japan, used three main plans to build his power. He made stronger promises to his warrior followers, used local leaders as governors, and allowed warriors to take half of the land from nobles.

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

Legacy

Since the 19th century, the emperors from the Southern Imperial Court have often been seen as the true emperors of Japan. This view comes from the Southern Court holding important imperial treasures and a famous book written by Kitabatake Chikafusa that supported their claim.

The events from this time still shape 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 to be 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 several emperors who claimed to be the true rulers of Japan. Emperor Go-Daigo reigned from 1318 to 1339. He was exiled but later returned to power. Emperor Go-Murakami ruled from 1339 to 1368 and briefly was 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 gave up his claim, ending the conflict 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, which failed, leading to his younger brother taking power in 1336 with support from the new Ashikaga shogunate.

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

Explanatory footnotes

a.**^**Shugo (守護?) was a title, often called "Governor", given to some important officials in old Japan. The shōgun, or military leader, chose these people to watch over one or more areas, called provinces.

b.**^**To "enfeoff" means to give someone a piece of land to control and care for, like a reward or trust.

c.**^**One story from an old book called the Taiheiki tells about a plan by a man named Tadayoshi to possibly stop another leader, Moronao.