A guide to understanding the Nanboku-cho period ↓

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

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

Normally, there is only one Imperial Court. However, during this era:

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

Both existed at the same time, each claiming, "We are the legitimate court."

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

This 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 did two courts form?

It all started 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 end the era of "samurai-led politics" and return to a system centered on the Emperor.

This was called the Kenmu Restoration.

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

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② Ashikaga Takauji Clashes with 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 the leader of the samurai who were dissatisfied with the Kenmu Restoration, leading to a conflict with Emperor Go-Daigo.

Takauji seized Kyoto and established a different court from 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 court was right?"

This is the most important part for understanding the era.

It isn't as simple as:

"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:

• Relationships with their lords
• Their own land holdings
• Family status
• 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

You cannot understand the era by looking at Takauji alone.

Takauji had a younger brother, Ashikaga Tadayoshi.

Tadayoshi supported his brother and handled the administrative side of the Muromachi Shogunate.

However, Takauji and Tadayoshi eventually 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 web of:

• "Shogunate internal strife"
• "Power struggles between samurai"
• "Internal clan rivalries"

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⑤ Who were the figures on the Southern side?

Famous Southern Court figures include:

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

Kusunoki Masashige A general who served 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 Southern cause.

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

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

Ashikaga Tadayoshi Takauji's brother. He supported the Shogunate's administration but later clashed with Takauji.

Ashikaga Yoshiakira Takauji's son. He became the second Shogun after Takauji's death and took over the Shogunate.

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu The third Muromachi Shogun. He achieved the unification of the Northern and Southern Courts.

Note: While Takauji and Yoshimitsu are historical contemporaries in a broad sense, Yoshimitsu was born in the year Takauji died. Therefore, a scenario where Takauji and an adult Yoshimitsu have a conversation is historically impossible.

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

While it was an era of frequent warfare, that wasn't everything.

Politics continued in Kyoto and Yoshino, and court nobles and monks remained active.

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

Culture also continued to develop, including:

• Waka poetry
• Renga (linked verse)
• Sarugaku (early theater)
• Zen culture
• Tea-drinking habits
• Calligraphy and painting

However, you must not bring later cultures into the Nanboku-cho period. For example, the formal "Wabi-cha" of Sen no Rikyu came much later and did not exist yet.

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⑧ How did people live?

Japanese society at the time included:

• Emperors and Court Nobles
• Shoguns
• Shugo (Provincial Governors)
• Kokujin/Jizamurai (Local Lords)
• 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 began to flourish.

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 What was the "Power Map" like?

If you're thinking of this as a game, this part is crucial.

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

Even within the same province, you might find:

"This samurai is Northern."

"This one is Southern."

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

It's easiest to think of the Nanboku-cho world not just as "Kyoto Shogunate/Northern Court vs. Yoshino Southern Court," but as a complex world where local governors, lords, samurai, and temples were all intricately connected.

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⑩ And finally, 1392

The Nanboku-cho conflict lasted about 60 years.

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

This marked the end of the Nanboku-cho period.

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

As time passed, this eventually led to the Onin War and the subsequent Sengoku (Warring States) period.