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

Section 3: Loyalist Efforts in the Northern Region

Section 3 describes the loyalist struggles in the north. Chikafusa, still at his stronghold in Oda, Hitachi Province, was unable to move northward due to the opposition of influential warrior Yūki Chikatomo. Around this time, the fortress of Taga (and seat of government of Mutsu) was captured by Shiba clan member Ishidō. In summer of 1340, Akinobu left to take up his position as Commander-in-Chief at Mutsu, stopping by Oda to assist Chikafusa, but was ultimately checked by Ishidō. In 1342, after years of struggles, the loyalist positions in Hitachi fell to the continued siege. Chikafusa escaped back to Yoshino, and Akinobu stayed in Mutsu. A different part of the north (Hokurikudō) was struggling after Nitta’s death, but Yoshisuke made some small successes before eventually being driven out of Echizen and back into Yoshino. Despite their continued ill-fortune, the southern court still held out hope; this was partly due to the facts that they were able to recuperate rather quickly, and their enemies were not united.

Section 4: Kanenaga’s Mission in Kyūshū

Section 4 talks about Prince Kanenaga’s activities in Kyūshū from 1336–1348. Despite their failings elsewhere, as well as the powerful Ashikaga supporting families (Shimazu, Ōtomo, and Shōni) the loyalists found success in Kyūshū. The Kikuchi and Aso families were aligned with the loyalists, but this alone did not mean much. Prince Kanenaga was sent to look after loyalist interests in Kyūshū when he was 7 years old in 1336. He reached it later that year with help from the Kumano pirates. In 1337, Kanenaga and his protector Isshiki Noriuji arrived at the Seven Islands (Kotsuna Shichitō), the base of the powerful Kotsuna family. The Kotsuna clan controlled traffic through the Inland Sea, and were also the leaders of pirates who made their living there. Fortunately for the southern court, the Kotsuna were stalwart allies of their cause, ever since the fighting against the Hōjō. They stayed with them for 3 years, making contact with the Kikuchi and Aso clans, as well as gaining more allies before ultimately departing in 1340; they reached the coast of Bungo-Hyūga around late April. However, the loyalists did not have enough troops to engage in conflicts in the area. Because of this, Wakiya Yoshisuke was appointed as commander of the Western Defenses in 1341. On his way there, he acquired at minimum 300 Kumano pirate vessels, as well as support and troops from sympathizers. Shortly after landing in Iyo, however, he fell ill and died. The Hosokawa family took advantage of this, crushing loyalist support there. In 1342, Kanenaga took residence in Satsuma in the castle of a local warrior named Taniyama. They were able to hold off attacks on the castle, but when Kanenaga sent an envoy north in 1343, they were defeated and cut off from the prince. After this Shimazu chieftain Sadahisa attacked the castle, but his forces were repelled. This impressed local chieftains who joined the loyalist cause. Their newfound allies served to rejuvenate the loyalists, but Sadahisa renewed his attack in 1344, surrounding the castle and forcing the prince to stay isolated, thereby ruining his immediate plans to enter Higo. Adding to this were the Aso chieftains Korezumi and Koretoki unwillingness to cooperate with the prince, the latter allying with the Ashikaga and preventing any movement towards Higo. The state of affairs were made known to Chikafusa, and he and his colleagues called upon the support of their allies in Kii, Ise, and along the Inland Sea—especially that of the pirates, whom they invited to threaten the coast of Kyūshū. This maritime support allowed for the prince’s forces to consolidate begin their movement towards Higo in 1345. In 1347, fleets of pirate vessels attacked the coast of Chikuzen, and later ~30 vessels landed in Kagoshima. The prince’s forces were able to move to Higo and set up their headquarters.

Section 5: Prospects in the Home Provinces

Section 5 discusses the loyalist activities near Kyōto from 1343–1349. The year 1343 marks Chikafusa’s return to Yoshino, as he begin to concoct a strategy after the southern court’s numerous setbacks. Around this time Kusunoki Masatsura, son of Kusunoki Masashige, emerged as a brilliant general. He had been active since 1340, but in 1347 he attacked Bakufu sympathizers in Kii with such success that he was able to further bolster his forces. This alarmed the Bakufu, and Hosokawa Akiuji was sent to attack Sakainoura in Izumi; he was met by Masatsura who was able to break it off. Panic and anxiety spread through the capitol, and Masatsura turned to Kawachi in the autumn of 1347, crushing the Bakufu forces. After a month of inactivity following Hosokawa retreat to Tennōji, Masatsura went on the offensive on December 28, 1347 with further success, going as far as killing his brothers and injuring his sons. The Bakufu army reacted in February 1348 by sending forces headed by Moronao and Moroyasu to Masatsura’s base in Kawachi. Chikafusa diverted part of their army while Masatsura opposed the advance of Moronao’s force, which resulted in Masatsura’s death. Moronao advanced to Yoshino, but the court had already moved; he burned the buildings there anyways. Simultaneously, Moroyasu was in the hands of forces at Kawachi. The fortunes of the Bakufu seemed to be on the decline by autumn of 1349, with both sides of the conflict talking of ending things by uniting the two dynasties of the senior and junior line.