Lindsey’s Reviews > A History of Japan, 1334-1615 > Status Update

Section 1: Go-Daigo’s Policies.

Section 1 describes the policies that began the Kemmu Restoration (1334–1336). Go-Daigo brought back the Record Office and made it into a court of law handling all disputes. Chief among these, as is common throughout Japanese history, were land disputes. Go-Daigo sought to bring back a golden age of Japan, and believed it was in his grasp to do so. However, his reforms failed and the so-called Kemmu Restoration would not last. The imperial government did nothing to stop Constable and Stewards’ abuses of power, and land was handed out to those who had no right to hold it. They also gave generously to powerful monasteries, but many of the monks who became land owners tended to treat tenants harshly. Farmers, and the peasantry saw no improvement or were even worse off due to Go-Daigo’s reformations. As for the warriors who helped the imperialist cause, the “greater” warriors (Kusunoki, Ashikaga, etc.) received generous awards, while “lesser” warriors received far less, if any, land. The Office of Awards set up to give deeds was ineffective, with bribery and favoritism running rampant. Furthermore, it (and the land in which was awarded by the office) were headed by men unqualified for their duties, further complicating matters. Making matters worse, during this time Go-Daigo set out to build a new palace in Kyōto, with the previous having been destroyed for over a century. As a result, heavy taxes were levied upon a populace who were already shifting to an unfavorable view of the court. However, the court was careful to not upset one warrior in particular: Ashikaga Takauji, a descendant of the Seiwa Genji, and the soon to be shōgun.