Hokuchō tennō kenkyū no saizensen (The Frontiers of the Study of the Northern Court Emperors)

In 1333, the Kamakura Shogunate fell and Emperor Godaigo formed the new Kenmu government. After a while, however, Emperor Godaigo and Ashikaga Takauji, who played a leading role in defeating the shogunate, fell out. Emperor Godaigo fled to Yoshino, and Takauji newly appointed Emperor Kōgon as jiten no kun and Kōmyō as emperor. Thereafter, emperors existed in both the Southern and the Northern Dynasties. Throughout the 14th century, known as the period of the Northern and Southern Dynasties, warfare continued in Japan. You may have read about the upheavals of the Northern and Southern Dynasties in Japanese history textbooks. It was a landmark period in which the nature of Japanese society changed dramatically.
 
In the past, the Northern Dynasty did not receive much attention because of its image as a puppet of the Muromachi Shogunate. Since the start of the 21st century, however, research focusing on the Northern Dynasty itself has been progressing. In this book, 12 researchers present their research results in an easy-to-understand manner, focusing on various aspects of the Northern Court, including the achievements of each emperor, its relationship with the Southern Court, its relationship with the Muromachi Shogunate, and the people and culture within the Northern Court.
 
The first part traces the genealogy of the emperors of the Northern Dynasty. The second part focuses on the Ashikaga shoguns and courtiers who supported the Northern Dynasty. The third part presents arguments and new perspectives on the Northern Dynasty from the aspects of religion and culture. It is worth paying attention to its activities as it tries to establish legitimacy while being tossed about in the midst of turbulent times.

Other books have been published in the same series that examine the situation from the standpoint of the Southern Dynasty and the Muromachi Shogunate. We would encourage you to compare the perspectives of each side.
 

(Written by ENDO Tamaki, Associate Professor, Historiographical Institute / 2025)