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

Section 2: Provincial Affairs.

Section 2 describes imperial rule under Go-Daigo’s government. Naturally, they were attuned to events in and near the capital, but they soon expanded east towards old Bakufu stomping grounds. Installing a new Shōgun would be antithetical to the restoration movement, so in late 1333 Go-Daigo ordered Kitabatake Akiiye, son of Chikafusa, to escort Prince Norinaga to Mutsu. He was instilled as the Governor-General of the entire region. This move hurt Takauji’s designs, and in early 1334 Takauji’s brother Ashikaga Tadayoshi escorted Prince Narinaga to Kamakura, where he was instilled as Governor of Kōtsuke, with Tadayoshi as his deputy. This was a sign that the warrior class still wanted power, so the imperial government made use of the new Musha-dokoro, headed by the Nitta family, to keep order amongst warriors stationed in Kyōto. Simultaneously, Prince Morinaga and Takauji’s rivalry continued to grow, as Morinaga was the only one with enough stature to oppose Takauji. Furthering his goals, Takauji took control of the Rokuhara headquarters upon its fall, operating it much like the Bakufu. Eventually a (likely false) rumor of Morinaga staging an attack reached Takauji, and he confronted Go-Daigo, who insisted upon his innocence and let Morinaga take the fall. Soon after, Morinaga was seized by imperial warrant and killed less than a year later by command of Takauji. Much as before, the restoration movement continued to be ineffective, giving overly lavish gifts and appointments to those who did not deserve/could not handle them, and in large being ineffective in ruling the country.