What is nanbokucho?

The Nanbokucho period, also known as the Northern and Southern Courts period, was a time of political conflict and division in Japan from 1336 to 1392. This period was characterized by a division between the Ashikaga shogunate, centered in Kyoto, and the imperial court, which was split into two rival factions, with one based in Kyoto and the other in Yoshino.

The conflict began when Emperor Go-Daigo attempted to restore the power of the imperial court and remove the Kamakura shogunate from power. However, his efforts were met with resistance from the shogunate, which led to a civil war. Eventually, the imperial court fell into two rival factions, known as the Southern Court and the Northern Court.

The Southern Court was recognized by China and other foreign powers, while the Northern Court was supported by the Ashikaga shogunate. The conflict between the two sides continued for almost 60 years, leading to extensive destruction and turmoil in Japan.

Despite the ongoing conflict, the Nanbokucho period is considered an important era in Japanese history because it gave rise to the development of a distinctively Japanese culture and art, including Zen Buddhism, the tea ceremony, and the Noh theatre.