A guide to understanding the Nanboku-cho Period ↓

First, what is the "Nanboku-cho Period"?

The Nanboku-cho period refers to an era when two Imperial Courts existed in Japan simultaneously.

Normally, there is only one "Imperial Court where the Emperor resides." However, during this era:

• Northern Court: The court located in Kyoto.
• Southern Court: The court located in Yoshino (modern-day Nara Prefecture).

These two existed at once, each claiming to be the "legitimate court."

Because of this, samurai across Japan split into Northern and Southern factions and fought one another.

The conflict lasted a long time, finally ending in 1392 when the two courts were unified under the third Muromachi Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.

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Why were there two courts?

The story begins with the fall of the Kamakura Shogunate.

1. The Fall of the Kamakura Shogunate

In 1333, the Kamakura Shogunate was destroyed.

The central figure behind this was Emperor Go-Daigo.

Emperor Go-Daigo wanted to move away from the "era of samurai rule" and return to a system centered on the Emperor.

This was the Kenmu Restoration.

However, dissatisfaction spread among the samurai regarding the distribution of rewards and other issues.

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2. Ashikaga Takauji Opposes Emperor Go-Daigo

This is where Ashikaga Takauji enters the scene.

Takauji was originally a general who played a major role in overthrowing the Kamakura Shogunate.

However, he became a leader for the samurai dissatisfied with the Kenmu Restoration and came into conflict with Emperor Go-Daigo.

Takauji seized Kyoto and established a different court from Emperor Go-Daigo's.

This was the Northern Court.

Meanwhile, Emperor Go-Daigo fled Kyoto for Yoshino and opened his court there.

This was the Southern Court.

In short:

Emperor Go-Daigo → Southern Court

The court supported by Ashikaga Takauji → Northern Court

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3. "Which side was right?"

This is crucial to understanding the Nanboku-cho period.

It isn't a simple story of:

"The Northern Court was evil!"

"The Southern Court was justice!"

People at the time acted based on their own positions and circumstances.

For example, samurai decided which side to join based on various factors:

• Relationship with their lord
• Their own land holdings
• Family standing
• Rewards
• Political gain
• Regional power dynamics

Furthermore, some figures changed sides halfway through.

Therefore, the Nanboku-cho period was not an era where "enemies and allies were fixed forever."

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4. Ashikaga Takauji and Ashikaga Tadayoshi

If you only look at Takauji, the Nanboku-cho period is hard to grasp.

Takauji had a younger brother, Ashikaga Tadayoshi.

Tadayoshi supported his brother and handled the administration of the Muromachi Shogunate.

However, Takauji and Tadayoshi gradually came into conflict.

In the 1350s, their rivalry escalated into a massive civil war.

This was the Kanno Disturbance.

So, the Nanboku-cho period was not just "Northern vs. Southern," but a complex tangle of:

• Internal Shogunate struggles
• Power struggles between samurai
• Rivalries within families

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5. Who were the figures on the Southern side?

Famous figures of the Southern Court include:

Emperor Go-Daigo The central figure of the Southern Court. He aimed for imperial rule and opposed Takauji.

Kusunoki Masashige A general serving Emperor Go-Daigo. Known as a brilliant strategist who used clever tactics to fight with small numbers.

Nitta Yoshisada A Southern general. He was instrumental in destroying the Kamakura Shogunate, then opposed Takauji and fought for the South.

Kitabatake Chikafusa A Southern court noble and politician. He asserted Southern legitimacy and supported the court politically.

Kitabatake Akiie The son of Chikafusa. He was active as a powerful Southern general from a young age.

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6. Who were the figures on the Northern/Shogunate side?

Ashikaga Takauji The founder of the Muromachi Shogunate and the central figure of the Northern side.

Ashikaga Tadayoshi Takauji's brother. He supported the administration but later fought against Takauji.

Ashikaga Yoshiakira Takauji's son. He became the second Shogun after Takauji's death.

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu The third Shogun. The man who achieved the unification of the two courts.

*Note: While Takauji and Yoshimitsu are figures of the same era, Yoshimitsu was born the year Takauji died. Therefore, a scenario where Takauji talks to a grown Yoshimitsu is historically impossible.

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7. Was the Nanboku-cho period "constant war"?

While it was an era with many wars, that wasn't everything.

Politics were conducted in Kyoto and Yoshino, and nobles and monks were active.

Samurai fought over land, and temples/shrines held great power.

Culture also continued to develop, including:

• Waka poetry
• Renga (linked verse)
• Sarugaku (performing arts)
• Zen culture
• Tea-drinking habits
• Painting and calligraphy

However, you must not bring later culture into the Nanboku-cho period. For example, the formal "Wabi-cha" of Sen no Rikyu belongs to a much later time.

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8. How did people live?

Japan at the time was home to people of various statuses:

• Emperors and Court Nobles
• Shoguns
• Shugo (Provincial Governors)
• Kokujin/Jizamurai (Local Samurai)
• Samurai
• Monks
• Merchants
• Artisans
• Peasants

Samurai were not just warriors; they were involved in land management and politics.

In rural areas, villagers often managed their communities collectively, and commerce flourished.

In cities like Kyoto, merchants and artisans were active, and religious institutions had a major impact on politics and the economy.

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9. How do "factions" work in the Nanboku-cho period?

If you think of this as a game, this part is very important.

Japan was not neatly divided into "Northern countries" and "Southern countries."

Even within the same province, factions could be split, with one samurai siding with the North and another with the South.

Furthermore, samurai often made independent decisions to protect their own lands.

Thus, the world of the Nanboku-cho period is best understood not just as "Kyoto Shogunate/North vs. Yoshino/South," but as a world where regional governors, local samurai, warriors, and temples were all involved in complex relationships.

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10. And then, 1392

The Nanboku-cho conflict lasted about 60 years.

Finally, during the time of the third Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the Southern and Northern Courts were unified.

This brought the Nanboku-cho period to an end.

However, the Muromachi Shogunate's politics did not remain stable afterward; various issues regarding the relationship between the Shogun and the Shugo Daimyo continued.

Eventually, this led to the Onin War and paved the way for the Sengoku (Warring States) period.