In the time of the early Ashikagas (1336-1390) there were two mikados ruling, or attempting to rule, in Japan. The Emperor Go-Daigo had chosen his son Kuniyoshi as his heir, but the latter died in 1326. Kogen, son of the Mikado Go-Fushimi (1299-1301), was then made heir. Go-Daigos third son, Moryoshi, however, as he grew up, showed great talent, and his father regretted that he had consented to the choice of Kogen, and wished his own son to succeed him.
He referred the matter to Hojo ant Kamakura, who disapproved of the plan. Those who hated Hojo called Kogen the “false emperor,” refusing to acknowledge him. When Nitta destroyed kamakura, and Go-Daigo was restored, Kogen retired to obscurity. No one for a moment thought of or acknowledged any one but Go-Daigo as true and only mikado. When, however, Ashikaga, by his treachery, had alienated the emperor from him, and was without imperial favor, and liable to punishment as a rebel, he found out and set up Kogen as mikado, and proclaimed him sovereign. Civil war then broke out.
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From General Nelson A. Miles
Thrilling Stories of The Russian-Japanese War, 1904
