Nanboku-chō period

The Nanboku-chō period (南北朝時代, nanbokuchō-jidai, "South and North courts period", also known as the Northern and Southern Courts period), spanning from 1336 to 1392, was a period that occurred during the early years of the Muromachi period of Japan's history. During this period, there existed a North Imperial Court, established by Ashikaga Takauji in Kyoto, and a South Imperial Court, established by Emperor Go-Daigo in Yoshino.

The two courts fought for 50 years, with the South giving up to the North in 1392. Still, the Emperors of the South Imperial Court are today considered the legitimate Emperors of Japan, since they controlled the Japanese imperial regalia. This view dates from the 19th century.

Southern Court Emperors

• Emperor Go-Daigo「後醍醐天皇」(1288–1339, r. 1318-1339)
• Emperor Go-Murakami「後村上天皇」(1328–1368, r. 1339-1368))
• Emperor Chokei「長慶天皇」((1343–1394, r. 1368-1383)
• Emperor Go-Kameyama「後亀山天皇」(1347-1424, r. 1383-1392)

Northern Court emperors

• Northern Ashikaga Pretender 1: Emperor Kōgon「光厳天皇」(1313–1364, r. 1331–1333)
• Northern Ashikaga Pretender 2: Emperor Kōmyō「光明天皇」(1322–1380, r. 1336–1348) *
• Northern Ashikaga Pretender 3: Emperor Sukō「崇光天皇」(1334–1398, r. 1348–1351)
• Interregnum, November 26, 1351 until September 25, 1352
• Northern Ashikaga Pretender 4: Emperor Go-Kōgon「後光厳天皇」(1338–1374, r. 1352–1371) *
• Northern Ashikaga Pretender 5: Emperor Go-En'yū「後円融天皇」(1359–1393, r. 1371–1382) *

References

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This period consists of the early part of the Muromachi period of the History of Japan.

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