Fix the mistake: Nanboku-chō period

The Kenmu Restoration

Emperor Go-Daigo, who overthrew the Kamakura Shogunate, began an ideal government of direct imperial rule called the Kenmu Restoration. However, it collapsed after only three years. Why?

Basic Knowledge

In 1333, after the fall of the Kamakura Shogunate, Emperor Go-Daigo returned to Kyoto, changed the era name to "Kenmu," and declared direct imperial rule, without appointing a regent, chief adviser, or Sei-i Taishogun. This was the Kenmu Restoration.
Go-Daigo declared, "My new policies shall become precedents for the future," and regarded the governance of the Engi and Tenryaku eras in the Heian period as his ideal. He established the Records Office for administration, the Office for the Examination of Appeals for lawsuits, the Rewards Office for granting rewards, and the Warriors' Office for military affairs.
However, his policies were unrealistic, causing dissatisfaction among both warriors and court nobles. In particular, the fatal problems were that rewards favored court nobles and temples while treating warriors coldly, and that heavy taxes were imposed to build the Great Imperial Palace.
In 1335, when the Nakasendai Disturbance occurred and Hojo Takatoki's son Hojo Tokiyuki temporarily recaptured Kamakura, Ashikaga Takauji, who suppressed the revolt, raised a rebellion and seized Kyoto in 1336. The Kenmu Restoration collapsed after only two and a half years.

Further Study (Background and Effects)

The essence of the Kenmu Restoration's failure was anachronistic idealism. It was impossible to revive Heian-style direct imperial rule after warriors had dominated society for more than 150 years.
The Nijo Kawara Graffiti of 1334 sharply satirized the confusion of the new government. Because land ownership could be overturned by a single imperial decree, warriors could not securely possess their estates.
Go-Daigo regarded warriors as "servants," but warriors had fought for rewards, not out of loyalty to him. This gap in understanding was fatal.

Points to Note (Easily Confused)

① Do not confuse the Kenmu Restoration (Go-Daigo's direct imperial rule, 1333-1336) with the Kenmu Code (Ashikaga Takauji's basic policy for the shogunate, 1336). They share the name "Kenmu" but had opposite purposes.
② Emperor Go-Daigo is read "Go-Daigo."
③ The Nakasendai Disturbance (1335) was Hojo Tokiyuki's temporary recapture of Kamakura and became Takauji's pretext for breaking away.
④ The Nijo Kawara Graffiti was graffiti satirizing society at the time and is a frequently studied historical source.

Practice

1. What was the name of the emperor who began the Kenmu Restoration?
2. What was the name of the 1334 graffiti that satirized the failure of the Kenmu Restoration?
3. Give one major reason why the Kenmu Restoration caused dissatisfaction among warriors.