Northern Court

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Northern Court

Role / Field:

Rival imperial line to the Southern Court during Japan's Nanboku-chō period (1336–1392).

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

The Northern Court (北朝, hokuchō), also known as the Ashikaga Pretenders or Northern Pretenders, were a set of six pretenders to the throne of Japan during the Nanboku-chō period from 1336 through 1392. Even though the present Imperial House of Japan is descended from the Northern Court emperors, the Southern Court is considered the legitimate line, with the argument being that it was the Southern court which possessed the Imperial Regalia, which was later handed over to the Northern court, thus making Emperor Go-Komatsu the 100th Emperor of Japan. In 1911, Emperor Meiji passed an edict which made the Southern line the legitimate one. Before this, pre-Meiji scholars considered the Northern line as the legitimate line. The Northern dynasty is also referred to as the "senior line" or the Jimyōin line (持明院統, Jimyōin-tō); Jimyō-in was a temple and retirement residence of this line's emperors Go-Fukakusa and Fushimi.

Career & Major Achievements

The origins of the Northern Court go back to Emperor Go-Saga, who reigned from 1242 through 1246. Go-Saga was succeeded in turn by two of his sons, Emperor Go-Fukakusa and Emperor Kameyama. On his death bed in 1272, Go-Saga insisted that his sons adopt a plan in which future emperors from the two fraternal lines would ascend the throne in alternating succession. This plan proved to be unworkable, resulting in two rival factions, the Daikaku-Ji line and the Jimyoin-to line. When the Daikaku-Ji emperor Go-Daigo rebelled against the Kamakura Shogunate, The Shogun installed the jimyoin-to line emperor Kogon as a puppet ruler.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

After the Shogunate was overthrown, Go-Daigo started the Kenmu Restoration. He started the Kenmu Restoration to restore the power to the Imperial Court. By doing this, he wanted the emperor to have all the power. Due to it, he refused to grant Ashikaga Takauji the title of Shogun. When Takauji went without the Emperor's permission to suppress a rebellion by the recently ousted Hojo clan, Go Daigo ordered Takauji to come back, but Takauji, realizing that the Samurai class were with him, marched on to Kyoto directly.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1242: 1242 Milestone — The origins of the Northern Court go back to Emperor Go-Saga, who reigned from 1242 through 1246.
2. 1272: 1272 Milestone — On his death bed in 1272, Go-Saga insisted that his sons adopt a plan in which future emperors from the two fraternal lines would ascend the throne in alternating succession.
3. 1336: 1336 Milestone — The Northern Court (北朝, hokuchō), also known as the Ashikaga Pretenders or Northern Pretenders, were a set of six pretenders to the throne of Japan during the Nanboku-chō period from 1336 through 1392.
4. 1911: 1911 Milestone — In 1911, Emperor Meiji passed an edict which made the Southern line the legitimate one.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Northern Court

True or False: “The Northern Court was always recognized as the legitimate line by all Japanese scholars throughout its existence.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While pre-Meiji scholars sometimes viewed the Northern line as legitimate, the Southern Court eventually gained recognition, especially after the 1911 Meiji edict.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Cyprian, Metropolitan of Kiev — Historical peer (Born in 1336) (1336): Bulgarian prelate who served as Metropolitan of Kiev and All Rus', known for his writings.
• A. N. Sherwin-White — Historical peer (Born in 1911) (1911): British academic and ancient historian, specializing in Roman law and society.
• Ahmed Urabi — Historical peer (Died in 1911) (1911): Pioneering Egyptian military and political leader who spearheaded the 'Urabi Revolt.
• Arnolfo di Cambio — Historical peer (Born in 1242) (1242): Pioneering 13th-century Italian architect and sculptor of the Duecento.
• Hōjō Yasutoki — Historical peer (Died in 1242) (1242): Third Shikken of the Kamakura Shogunate, who solidified the Hōjō regency's power.
• Dafydd ap Llywelyn — Historical peer (Died in 1246) (1246): Prince of Gwynedd, a key figure in the struggle for Welsh independence.
• Henry III of England — Historical peer (Died in 1272) (1272): King of England, whose reign saw the limitation of royal power by the barons.

Frequently Asked Questions about Northern Court