Against a background of gokenin dissatisfaction after the Mongol invasions and distrust of the shogunate, Emperor Go-Daigo plotted to overthrow it. The Kamakura Shogunate, which had lasted about 150 years, fell suddenly in 1333.
Basic Knowledge
At the beginning of the 14th century, the Jimyoin Imperial Line and the Daikakuji Imperial Line clashed over succession to the throne. Emperor Go-Daigo of the Daikakuji Line became angry at shogunate interference in succession and decided to overthrow it.
Two plans to overthrow the shogunate failed: the Shochu Disturbance of 1324 and the Genko Disturbance of 1331. Go-Daigo was exiled to Oki, but movements to overthrow the shogunate spread throughout the country. Kusunoki Masashige, an akuto from Kawachi, resisted the shogunate army from Chihaya Castle. Responding to Go-Daigo after his escape from Oki, the powerful gokenin Ashikaga Takauji captured the Rokuhara Tandai in Kyoto, while in eastern Japan Nitta Yoshisada attacked Kamakura.
In May 1333, the last regent, Hojo Takatoki, committed suicide with his family at Tosho-ji after Kamakura was attacked. The Kamakura Shogunate fell. Go-Daigo returned to Kyoto and began the Kenmu Restoration, direct imperial rule.
1324 Shochu Disturbance (Go-Daigo's first failed plan to overthrow the shogunate)
1331 Genko Disturbance (second plan to overthrow the shogunate)
1332 Emperor Go-Daigo is exiled to Oki
May 1333 Ashikaga Takauji captures the Rokuhara Tandai
May 1333 Nitta Yoshisada captures Kamakura; Hojo Takatoki commits suicide = fall of the Kamakura Shogunate
Further Study (Background and Effects)
The fundamental causes of the fall of the Kamakura Shogunate were the impoverishment of the gokenin and their distrust of the shogunate after the Mongol invasions. The head of the Hojo clan, Hojo Takatoki, was an incompetent leader absorbed in dengaku and dog fighting. Actual political power was held by close aides such as Naikanrei Nagasaki Takasuke and the Miuchibito, increasing the dissatisfaction of powerful gokenin, or tozama gokenin.
Ashikaga Takauji had originally been a powerful gokenin of the shogunate and a member of a prestigious Minamoto line. Although sent to pursue Go-Daigo, he switched sides and joined Go-Daigo's forces. This became the decisive event and symbolized the gokenin's judgment that "the shogunate was no longer worth protecting."
- 1333 = Fall of the Kamakura Shogunate
- Emperor Go-Daigo = Daikakuji Line and central figure in the movement to overthrow the shogunate
- Kusunoki Masashige = akuto from Kawachi, famous for the Battle of Chihaya Castle
- Ashikaga Takauji = captured the Rokuhara Tandai in the Kyoto area
- Nitta Yoshisada = captured Kamakura in eastern Japan
- Last regent = Hojo Takatoki, who committed suicide at Tosho-ji
- Alternating Imperial Lines = alternating accessions by the Jimyoin and Daikakuji Lines
Points to Note (Easily Confused)
① The Shochu Disturbance (1324) and Genko Disturbance (1331) were both Go-Daigo's plans to overthrow the shogunate. Distinguish their order and details.
② Distinguish the roles of Kusunoki Masashige, Ashikaga Takauji, and Nitta Yoshisada.
③ The Jimyoin and Daikakuji Imperial Lines were both imperial lines and later led to the Northern and Southern Courts period.
④ Emperor Go-Daigo was the leading figure in overthrowing the Kamakura Shogunate, but his Kenmu Restoration collapsed after three years.
Practice
- In what year did the Kamakura Shogunate fall, and what was the name of its last regent?
- What powerful gokenin captured the Rokuhara Tandai in Kyoto?
- What was the name of the Kawachi akuto who cooperated with Emperor Go-Daigo?