In 1392, an envoy from Ashikaga persuaded Go-Kameyama to come to Kioto and hand over the regalia of Go-Komatsu, the northern emperor. The basis of peace was that Go-Kameyana should receive the title of Dai Jo Tenno (ex-emperor), Go-Komatsu be declared emperor, and the throne be occupied alternately by the rival branches of the imperial family.
The ceremony of abdication of surrender of regalia, on the one hand, and investiture, on the other, were celebrated with due pomp and solemnity in one of the great temples in the capital, and the war of fifty-six years duration ceased. All this redounded to the glory and power of Ashikaga.
The period of 1336-1392 is of great interest in the eyes of all native students of Japanese history. In the Dai Nihon Shi, the Southern dynasty are defended as the legitimate sovereigns, and the true descendants of Ten Sho Dai Jin, the sun-goddess; and the Northern dynasty are condemned as mere usurpers.
The same view was taken by Kitabatake Chikafusa, who was the author of the Japanese Red Book, who warned the emperor Go-Daigo against Ashikaga, and in 1339 wrote a book to prove that Go-Daigo was mikado, and the Ashikagas nominee a usurper. This is the view now held in modern Japan, and only those historians of the period who award legitimacy to the Southern dynasty are considered authoritative. The Northern branch of the imperial family after a few generations became extinct.
Previous article Next article
From General Nelson A. Miles
Thrilling Stories of The Russian-Japanese War, 1904
