L L B C (7) Ginkgo

🗾   L's Life in a Big City  (7) Ginkgo    🗾

The road in front of the building where I'm working is a 4-lane boulevard street trees planted. I want to explain these street trees this time.

Before I start the story, I'd like to mention the unusual weather of this year. During late June and the beginning of July is a rainy season named 'Tsuyu', so, usually we have much rainfall every year. 

However, this year is different. There were few rainfalls and the weather soon became very hot instantly.  

A little ago, people believed that many people sprinkled with water at the same time, then the temperature went down. Because the vaporization of the sprinkled water takes away the heat in the air. We experienced the event to sprinkle water at a same time with all of citizens.

Recently, I don't hear the information of such event, maybe city officials learned that such effort was useless against the violence of global warming. 

By the way, I hear that ginkgo trees are resistant to polluted-air from vehicles. So, ginkgo trees are popular as street trees.

Ginkgo leaves change color to yellow in autumn. This sight of ginkgo trees makes us feel the change of the season to autumn. Furthermore, their nuts which covered with smelly flesh cover the pavements. By this smelly and uncomfortable event also makes us feel an elegance of autumn in Japan.  

Until quite recently, I didn't notice the importance of existence of ginkgo trees in summer. They make shadow by their plenty of leaves. They avoid the violent sunbeam from the sun.

I see many boulevard streets uncovered by street trees. Even if there are street trees, they are cruelly pruned. But this 4-lane boulevard street has street trees covered with plenty of leaves. Thanks to them, I can spend a little acceptable atmosphere in front of my working place.

Temple in the land of Perfect Bliss

 Temple in the land of Perfect Bliss

Byodoin (平等院) temple is a world heritage site in the Uji (宇治) city near the Kyoto city. Famous as the location of the Hou-ou-do (鳳凰堂) or the Phenix Hall which is, needless to say, one of Japan's leading architecture. Speaking about our experience, we had visited there long time ago, but, we haven't after the big scale renovation during 2012 to 2014.

At the very beginning of this temple, there were many buildings in the area. However, repeated disasters of wars destroyed them, and only the Hou-ou-do survived miraculously. As for the building date of this precious structure, it is said that the Hou-ou-do was completed at 1053.

We suppose this survived building wasn't built at 1053 but at the beginning of the 12th century. Because the first renovation held then included the change of the basement. Assuming that, it's more reasonable to think that everything was restarted then.

Even if you follow our idea, it's been 900 years and more since it was built. Don't you think it's miraculous that such aged-building still survives?

A visit

The Byodoin is located at the west shore of the Uji river. Strictly speaking, the Uji river doesn't run from south to north but from southeast to northwest. The old city area is spread in the west shore of the river, and the Byodoin is located in this old city area. The temple area is east of the narrow road from the Uji bridge which is north of Byodoin. And the eastern end of the temple is the Uji river.

The southern end is adjoining a road heading toward the Nara city. So, the temple area seems to be locked up in a narrow space now. Between the river and the temple area, there is a promenade now, but the temple bordered the river in the old time. 

By the way, there is a concrete square-box-shaped building near the south gate of the temple. It's the Hoshokan (鳳翔館) treasure museum. It's very difficult to imagine there's a one thousand aged building inside this quite modern entrance.

We don't have any information about these buildings inside the temple area. So, we aimed the reception counter for the people wanted to enter the Hou-ou-do. The visitors' route continues from the entrance shed at the south gate to the reception counter of the Hou-ou-do. Heading to the counter, we can see the back view of the Hou-ou-do. The counter is on the right side of the building from its front. We reserved the admission of entrance, and strolled at the south garden of the Hou-ou-do.

The facade of the Hou-ou-do is just as imagined. Namely, this is exactly one of the most popular buildings in Japan. We know in our mind the shape looking like a bird spreading both wings widely in front of a wide pond.

On the contrary, whenever we visit other iconic historical buildings, we always find something different from our memory. For example, the Himeji Castle (姫路城), the Matsumoto Castle (松本城), the Kinkaku-ji (金閣寺), the Kiyomizudera (清水寺) temple, we found differences from what we expected. Before visiting the Hou-ou-do, we have been believing that some kind of difference would exist in the real. Then, maybe we are quite surprised by the new finding.

However, our prediction changes in the profile view. 

Because the profile view of this building is too much thin, or there isn't depth of the structure. The wide-wing structures look like imitation. In other words, the wide-wing structures are only for the front view. In that sense, it's a strange idea but, the Hou-ou-do has the same design concept like European church architecture. The strong facade intentionality.

📗

Now, using the knowledge from books, we would like to explain why we felt the facade of the Hou-ou-do was exactly same as that we expected. In other words, why the beauty of the facade is completed so much perfectly.

The first reason is related to the side-wings. The side-wings have three layers. The first floor is consisted of uncovered pillars only, so, you can look behind of the building. And the second floor is covered with wide room like banquet seats. Speaking on the third floor, there are small watch towers in the both ends of side-wings. By the combination uncovered first floor, massive second floor and small third floor makes the viewer concentrate on the center building. Please have a second look at the picture we upload. You will be surprised by this idea, at least we are surprised. 

In addition, there aren't stairs to the second floors in these wing-structures. If so, there may be the second floor in the center building and people would visit the wing-structures' second floor from the center building. But, to tell the truth, the wing-structures aren't connected with the center building. So, the center building and both side-wing structures are independent three buildings. When you look at this building from far opposite side of the facade, you would think it's a one consisted building but the truth is it's not. And this is also the trick for the beauty of the Hou-ou-do. Structures aren't necessary for the beauty are scraped off from this building. 

The third reason is related to the center building, the Amida-do (阿弥陀堂). It has an unreasonable balcony above the main entrance door. Please have a third look at the picture we upload. This balcony also has no approach. It's difficult to suppose the reason of the existence of an unaccessible balcony. It's also the secret trick for the beauty. 

There might be other tricks more detailed. As a whole, this building is not for the people's use but for the reproduction of a utopia. Because this building is an imitation of the palace of Buddhism paradise. The fact that the basic building is only a center one, the Amida-do, but there are double width meaningless wing-buildings. And useless balcony only for its design. What a wonderful utopia.

We believe the religious architecture is not for practical use but for mental impact. In that sense, it's more reasonable to pursue religious ideals. Like peacock spreading wings wide to intimidate its enemies, this building spreading wing-structures wide to gain the faith of believers. 

Maybe it's not important but we would like to add this information. Behind the Amida-do, the center building, there is a tail structure. We can't find the explanation about the use of this part. So, the use of it is unclear. However, we personally suppose this is also for its beauty. Because if there isn't this part, the whole profile of the Hou-ou-do will look too much flimsy.  

By the way, we would like to explain the inside of the Amida-do. When we started the short tour of the Amida-do, we entered the building from the right side near the reception counter. On the first-floor of the right wing-structure, we took off our shoes. And we walked a narrow first-floor veranda to the south entrance door, and entered the hall. There is only a 3-meter- high Amida (阿弥陀) statue, and no other Buddha statue. There isn't any information there was only an Amida statue or other statues were removed a long time ago. 

On the surface of surrounding-walls, colored paintings were drawn. However, more than 900 years weathering avoids understanding of the paintings. We have no idea what kind of drawings were painted there. In 2012 to 2014, this building was renovated and some part of the paintings were re-drawn by the specialist. According to the paper for the tourists, the drawings are the 9 scenery after death. It's too difficult to imagine the scenery for us. 

Around the Hou-ou-do, several Buddhism halls are standing. However, there is no information in the paper for the tourists. We suppose these buildings are omitted from tour routes. At the Hoshokan treasure museum, you can see several sculptures from closing up. Beside the treasure museum, tea house is located. The treasure museum and the tea house are quite modern, but you can appreciate the suggestiveness of this sightseeing place. 

Why there?

The Uji town is located in the 15 kilometers south of the Kyoto city where the Emperors have been living. And the Byodoin was build in the Uji town. Why the owner built this temple in the Uji town but in the Kyoto city? 

At that time, novel people ruled Japan especially the Kyoto city. They owned wide site surrounded Kyoto. Especially scenic areas were owned by powerful people. And they made their second house or villa there.

This place was also villa of the Fujiwara (藤原) clan (very powerful novel people). One of the head person of this clan happened to make a temple. And he ordered to renovate his villa into a giant temple. This is the beginning of the Byodoin.

The orderer imagined a reproduce the Buddhism palace in the imaginal world named the Gokuraku Jodo (極楽浄土), the land of Perfect Bliss. So, the Hou-ou-do was not made as the place to enshrine the Amida statue. It was the visualization of the Buddhism palace.

Travelers from Kyoto to the Uji town visited the Fushimi town which was located in the south of Kyoto at that time. And they changed their route to the east. Because south of the Fushimi town was a massive lake named Ogura-ike. Travelers went south along the east coast of the lake. And, at the southern end of the lake, they found the Uji bridge, and other side of the bridge was the Uji town.

By the way, according to the Buddhist Scripture, the Gokuraku Jodo is in the west end. The orderer of the Byodoin temple resembled the west coast of the Uji river as the Gokuraku Jodo. He made the Hou-ou-do bordering the Uji river. So, people standing on the east shore of the river would consider as the real palace in the Gokuraku Jodo. 

This concept was a big success. The impressive exterior of the Hou-ou-do graved people's mind intensely. After the success of this temple, the architectural style of this temple was imitated so many times. It's no exaggeration to say, it was a big boom. The most famous imitated temple was the Mootuji (毛越寺) temple in Iwate (岩手) Pref. which is registered as a world heritage site. However, there is no building there. Because an ancient war-disaster destroyed it, and only footings remain there. 

Rise of the Muromachi 2

Rise of the Muromachi 2

The Muromachi era (1338-1573) is quite less popular. We supposed 3 reasons why this era was less popular in the previous article.

The 1st speculating is the severity of explaining the essence of this era. To put it plainly, the researchers' can't explain the rise of the Muromachi era amusingly. So, people misunderstand that this era is drab. However, we don't re-examine at the moment. 

The 2nd speculating is that the opposite relationships at the rise of the Muromachi era were complicated. We examined this point. At the beginning of the examination, we regarded this was quite complicated in accordance with the guess. And we tried to compare the Muromachi era and the Azuchi-momoyama era (quite popular among today's Japanese). Then, in conclusion, we spotted the degrees of complexity of these eras were similar. So, we concluded this 2nd reason isn't true in the previous article. 

The 3rd speculating is the lack of information of this era. We can hardly know the things happened in this era. Especially about Kassen (Japanese use "Kassen (合戦)" when they express "Wars" at that time). If you compare wars happened in the Muromachi era and these happened in the Azuchi-momoyama era, we haven't enough information about previous wars. And, we supposed that was an essential reason for unpopularity of the Muromachi era. It may not be so important the details of wars, but, we think, if there were deficiencies of information, you might not be interested in this era.

From here, we will try to compare the two types of wars. The first example is "the Akasaka castle (赤坂城) war (1332)" which happened in an unquiet time before the beginning of the Muromachi era. And the next example is "the Nagashino (長篠) war (1575)" which happened at the final moment of the Sengoku era. So, the Nagashino war happened about 250 years after the Akasaka castle war. We quite understand the difference of the age of information makes the difference of the quality of information for us (people live in nowadays). However, the description of the Akasaka castle war is not history but the story (there may not be the facts but someone's imagination). 

    

The Akasaka castle war 

The background of this war:

This war happened because Kusunoki Masashige (楠木正成) who dissatisfied with the government of the Kamakura shogunate raised his army at the Akasaka castle. Before the raising of him, the emperor Godaigo (後醍醐天皇) asked several local regional warriors to rise against the Kamakura shogunate. At the same time, the emperor Godaigo escaped from Kyoto to the Kasagi mountain (笠置山). Kusunoki Masashige responded the emperor Godaigo's offer and he entered the Akasaka castle. He fought against the soldiers who belonged to the Kamakura shogunate side. 

The siege started at the middle of September in 1332, and one month later, the castle was failed. However, there was no historical detail about the sequence of events. According to a famous tale, "the Taiheiki (太平記)" which described in this era, the Kusunoki army fought against the Kamakura shogunate's soldiers quite bravely. The Kusunoki army fought with many tactics during one month. On the other hand, according to the historical records written at that moment, the details were different. The historians who research this era suppose that the Kamakura shogunate's army waited to attack the Akasaka castle. Because they were afraid of the ability of the Kusunoki's army too much. They arrived at the foot of the castle, and captured it in a day. 

The scale of the battle:

According to a tale named "the Taiheiki", Kusunoki's soldiers were 500, and the Kamakura shogunate's soldiers were 300,000. The tale describes only 500 soldiers fought against 300,000 enemy soldiers during about one month. It's a saga, but we can't believe this heroic description, because it has a lack of reality. There is another estimate but also suspicious. According to this estimation, the Kamakura shogunate's soldiers were around 10,000. This estimation has more believable ring of truth, however, the Akasaka castle was in the deep in the mountains. Still suspicious to believe this estimation. It's difficult to gather 10,000 people there, even in the previous age when the traffic has become convenient. 

About the expectations of the characters:

We think the emperor Godaigo's strategy was quite sloppy. He believed he was popular, and if he started the war against the Kamakura shogunate, many influential regional people would respond to his activity. However, in reality, only armed priests of the Enryakuji temple (延暦寺)and Kusunoki's army fought for him. In the long run, his sloppy overeager became the trigger of the overthrow of the Kamakura shogunate. If he had tried this risky action betting the danger of his death, it would be kind of strategy. These whole story looks like a story made later (in our opinion). 

We would like to think about the situation the war had happened. The Kamakura shogunate placed their stationed troops in Kyoto. Because their headquarters was located in Kamakura city far from Kyoto. When the emperor Godaigo raised his army, the stationed troops of the Kamakura shogunate waited to start battles and requested reinforcements to make absolutely sure. After the arrival of the reinforcements, the stationed troops and the reinforcements started battles. The Kamakura shogunate amy got smooth victory in regular tactics. So, we think there weren't brave activities of the anti-shogunate armies. How come the Akasaka-castle-siege-saga exists?  

      

The battle of Nagashino 

The background of this war:

Takeda Katsuyori (武田勝頼), one of strong Sengoku warriors raised his troopers to occupy Totoumi (遠江) and Mikawa (三河) region. And Oda Nobunaga (織田信長) and Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川家康) battled against him to avoid his invasion. However, there are several explanations why the Takeda army invaded the Nagashino castle which located in the mountainous Mikawa region. 

The raising of the Takeda army was in April 1575, and they surrounded the castle in May. This castle had a locational advantage, and the Takeda army couldn't capture it at the first fight. On 14th May, the request of reinforcements from the Nagashino castle arrived at the Okazaki castle. In the Okazaki castle, the Oda Nobunaga's army and the Tokugawa Ieyasu's army were already assembled there. Because they had the information of the Takeda army's movement. On 18th May, the Oda army and the Tokugawa army built barricades at Shitaragahara (設楽原) near the Nagashino castle. The Takeda army rushed in the barricades, and they suffered heavy loss and withdrew.

The scale of the battle: 

It is said that the Takeda army had 15 thousands people, the Nagashino castle had 5 hundreds, the Oda army had 30 thousands, and the Tokugawa army had 8 thousands. There would not be a big difference between the ratio of these armies. Some researchers present new ideas even now. Although we don't think the silliness in these numbers we felt when we saw the difference in the size of the armies of the Akasaka castle siege.

About the expectations of the characters: 

It is said that the reason the Takeda army attacked was an imitating of his father's strategy. His father had had a strategy to advance to Kyoto and govern whole Japan. There is a new theory which was born recently. He knew the difference in the size of the armies realistically, and he aimed to destroy the Tokugawa army relatively small scale. And there is an another theory. The difference in the size of the armies would change in a disadvantageous direction year after year. Furthermore, his allies were destroyed one after another. So, he decided all-or-nothing trial, because the sooner the better. 

It's difficult to investigate what the Takeda army intended. But it's easy to suspect the strategy of the Oda army and the Tokugawa army. The invasion of the Takeda army was the second time. And the Oda army had given deficient reinforcements for the first time and defeated and battered. So, they prepared whole capability and overwhelming number of Arquebuses (鉄砲). And also prepared the high-tech strategy to build the field fortification. These new style strategy brushed away the Takeda army. The Takeda army were expelled in a single blow.

By the way, the difference of around 250 years gave people many changes in the idea of recording battles. Reporters lived around 1575 knew the incorrectness of the describing way of "Taiheiki" style or tale style. The way of describing historical tale made the records incorrect and deliberate. So, they recorded the fact and didn't describe their imaginary story. These changes made the records more correct and more detailed. Furthermore, number of people who intended to record experience of battles increased in the end of the Sengoku period compared with the beginning of the Muromachi period.  

Even though 450 years had passed after the battle of Nagashino, there are still incorrect and vague descriptions of historical records. There are many records nowadays, however, still uncertainty remains. 

🗻

Now, let's return to the story of unpopularity. We supposed the reason of unpopularity of this era is uncertainty of information about wars happened in this era. We conclude that uncertainty of information causes the lack of interest. However, we think it doesn't cause the unpopularity of the Muromachi era.

We supposed the 3 reasons, and found 2 of 3 weren't true. Then, how about the 3rd one, namely, severity of explaining the essence of the Muromachi era? We can't conclude with conviction, but we believe this is the reason of unpopularity of this era. We feel difficult to expand our understanding of this era. And we can't feel familiarity, and we come to think unpopular. 

In the Kamakura period, people in the administration had strong willing to record their own history. Because the Kamakura shogunate was the 1st administration governed by samurai people. On the other hand, people in the administration of the Muromachi shogunate had less passion to record their history. Because they believed the emperor Godaigo govern smoothly at first. But, his administration failed very soon. So, the 2nd administration governed by samurai was born quite unavoidably. The birth of the shogunate made the people in the administration played by ear. Furthermore, they had to battle restlessly, so, they couldn't have the perspective they had to record their history correctly. 

Finally we expect someone to reconsider this era and reconstruct the explanation of the Muromachi era. Current explanation of this era isn't attractive! Someday someone explains this era attractively. Then, people will reconsider the Muromachi era's popularity. We expect the arrival of the day and finish this article. 

L L B C (6) Lavender

🗾  L's Life in a Big City  (6) Lavender 🗾

Recently, I read an Internet article which described the flowering of lavender at a park nearby my living place. So, I visited the park to see the lavender.

Immediately after arrival, I found a flower bed changed into lavender color. That was real lavender. Then, I first wondered the article said about this flower bed.

However, in the article there was a word "lavender fields," so, I reconsidered there would be another wide field of lavender flower. Even though I knew the size was not the same scale of the ones in Hokkaido. So, I continued the investigation of another lavender field.

Several minutes later, I found the lavender field which was really small. However, up to that point, the development of my effort was within expectation as I imagined, but...

In the lavender field, there wasn't lavender flourished. And, I found the signboard in which the lavender flowered was the early bloomer lavender. And real lavender will flourish in June or July. So, I have to finish my investigation in this point.

L L B C (5) Shirotori Garden

 

 🗾  L's Life in a Big City  (5) Shirotori Garden 🗾

The Shirotori Garden is located in the southern part of the downtown area of this city. You should ride a subway for five stations long when you visit this garden. It was constructed as one of facilities of the exposition held in 1989. 

This garden is made by the style named Chisen-kaiyu. 
"Chisen" literally means pond and "Kaiyu" refers to a circuit that follows a loop. Gardens made by this style represent so-called Japanese gardens. When people list Japanese style gardens, they choose gardens made by this Chisen-kaiyu style. In a Chisen-kaiyu garden there is a wide pond. And people stroll paths around the pond and appreciate changes of scenery. 

The Chisen-kaiyu style gardens were developed between the end of the Momoyama era and the beginning of the Edo era. They were made in the residential properties of Daimyos, feudal lords at that time. 

In summer

This Shirotori garden has no relationship with the Daimyo governed this area at that time. However, if he made the garden, he would make the same kind of, such as width, grace and dignity. In the autumn, you can enjoy the leaves turn yellow/red there. Furthermore, in a several days there will be lit up and opening time will be extended. How about appreciating a moony night tour? 

Rise of the Muromachi 1

The Muromachi (室町) era (1338-1573) has a dubious reputation when comparing other eras in Japan. At the same time, the Sengoku (戦国) era and the Azuchi-momoyama (安土桃山) era are quite popular, which are overlapping in the latter part of the Muromachi era. Why such difference exist? We can't put our fingers on it now. So, we would like to find the reason below.

The Myoshinji temple

Let us clarify the fact that in the era between Sengoku and Azuchi-momoyama, depressed mood in the Japanese history was changed and something energetic was flourished. 

If we dare to look for a comparison target, the Renaissance period in European countries would be. We believe its popularity is caused by the fact new energetic mood was flourished in this period. Furthermore,  we don't know in detail but the previous period might be unpopular.

Now, we would like to clarify a couple of reasons why the Muromachi era is unpopular. 

The first target is the abstruseness of the reasoning of the incidents happened during this era. 

Why the definitive events happened or why the current of Japan's history brought the Muromachi era after the Kamakura (鎌倉) shogunate? We suppose any researchers can't unravel the sealed book of the birth of this era. 

The second target is the confusing structural-outlines who battled against who. Right after this information, we would like to describe biographies of the main characters and opposite relationships. In this article, the main focus is there. 

The third target will be the lack of information about the war of this era. For example, preparation and progress of wars, ability and tactics. We know the war in this era was different from the war in the Sengoku era. Because we are more familiar with this information by looking at historical dramas or reading historical novels. However, we don't know the difference in detail. We would like to mention our ideas in the next article in the current schedule.

The shokokuji temple

Let's get started with the explanation of the confusing structural-outlines. Until a while ago, we learned like below. Before the beginning of the Muromachi era, there was the Nanbokucho (南北朝) era (the era of the Northern and Southern courts). And before the Nanbokucho era, there was the Kamakura era. However, we would like to mention there was no reality to the situation of the Nanbokucho era. 

In our understanding, there were the Kamakura era, chaotic time and the Muromachi era in sequential order. Firstly, there was the Kamakura era when the Kamakura shogunate had the politic power and govern the whole country. Secondly, there was a chaos when the person who had the politic power changed frequently. And finally, the Muromachi shogunate had the politic power and govern whole Japan. Then, we will describe the confusing structural-outlines at the beginning of the Muromachi era in sequential order.

The Muromachi era began at 1338 when Ashikaga Takauji (足利尊氏) was designated as the first shogun and established a new shogunate. We would like to call the year as "Muromachi 0." The Kamakura shogunate had been destroyed at 1333, "Muromachi -5." At this time, the Kamakura shogunate was governed by the Hojo family and the Ashikaga family was one of their subordinates.

At the same time the Emperor Godaigo (後醍醐天皇) who headed the Imperial Court in Kyoto struggled against the shogunate already for several years. The trigger of overthrowing of the regime was the betrayal of Ashikaga Takauji. This was namely Ashikaga Takauji turned over to the Emperor Godaigo side. And soon after the incident, Kamakura was attacked by the alliances' army and the Hoyo (北条) clan was killed there. Then the Kamakura shogunate was destroyed and the Emperor Godaigo took the politic power.

In this situation, the opposing structural-outline was the Hoyo clan versus the Emperor Godaigo. As to Asikaga Takauji, he belonged the Hoyo clan's side before 1333. And at 1333 he changed his situation to the Emperor Godaigo's side. It was very important for the victory of the Emperor Godaigo's side, however, Ashikaga Takauji was not allowed to be the shogun. At this point, he was only a subordinate of the Emperor.

History of this period was handed down by the Senki-mono (戦記物 = battle tales). Which was not a real history book but a story book in which many fiction were written. For that reason, it was difficult to make sense and several facts were distorted for fun of the story. People who were loyal to the Emperor Godaigo such as Kusunoki Masashige (楠木正成) and Nitta Yoshisada (新田義貞) were excessively highlighted.

On the contrary, Ashikaga Takauji was underestimated because he betrayed the Emperor Godaigo in the next situation. Even so, he had quite high historical-significanse. We have to notice and avoid this trap.

The Emperor Godaigo was the existence beyond human understanding for these historically famous people at that time. Ashikaga Takauji, Kusunoki Masashige, Nitta Yoshisada and other people always obeyed this imperial majesty. However, for Ashikaga Takauji, devotion with all his heart and soul was a wasted effort. Because the emperor neglected him. So he had no alteration except for betrayal.   

The Emperor Godaigo

The next opposing structural-outline was Ashikaga Takauji plus Ashikaga Tadayoshi (足利直義) versus the Emperor Godaigo. This situation started at 1335, "Muromachi -3." Around this time, Ashikaga Tadayoshi was noticed as a key person. He was a younger brother of Ashikaga Takauji and this brother began to fight their own battles from this time.

As the result of this confusing, Asikaga Takauji and Asikaga Tadayosi killed Kusunoki Masashige and Nitta Yoshisada who belonged on the Emperor Godaigo side. According to this result, the Emperor Godaigo left Kyoto (the center of the court) and moved to Yoshino (吉野) in Nara Pref. (奈良県).

Depending on this consequence, the other Emperor enthroned and dominated the court. However, the Emperor Godaigo still existed in Yoshino and continued his political action. So, there were two courts in Japan at this time. Historian named the situation, "Nanbokucho (the Northern court and the Southern court)." If we are particular about the details, the Nanbokucho started at 1336, "Muromachi -2."

The Emperor Godaigo died there at 1339, "Muromachi +1." His group continued their struggles against the administration of Ashikaga Takauji, however, the difference of the power was quite obvious.

Kono Moronao

The opposing structural-outline after that was Ashikaga Takauji plus Kono Moronao (高師直) versus Ashikaga Tadayoshi. This situation started at 1349, "Muromachi +11." Around this time, Kono Moronao was noticed as the next key person. He was the butler of the Ashikaga clan. However, we suppose the butler in the Japanese history and the one in Europian countries is different. In other words, he was the top retainer of the Ashikaga group.

In the previous year, his army fought against Kusunoki Masayuki (楠木正行)'s army. Kusunoki Masayuki was an important and high class warrior of the Emperor Godaigo's group. Kono Moronao's army won the battle and killed Kusunoki Masayuki, so, his position in the Muromachi shogunate was highly uplifted. 

Around this time, Ashikaga Takauji, the first shogun appointed Tadayoshi as the administrator of full power. Several dissatisfied subordinates tied to Kono Moronao. Asikaga Takauji hoped to avoid the battle against his younger brother. All his hope was in vain, they began to conflict with each other.

At 1351, "Muromachi +13," Ashikaga Takauji and Kono Moronao allied forces fought against Ashikaga Tadayoshi's army. The allied forces were defeated. After that, Kono Moronao and his clan were killed.

The conflict continued further, and the next year, the position was reversed. Ashikaga Tadayoshi surrendered to Takauji and soon after that, he died (the cause of death isn't clear, maybe killed maybe died from illness). Ashikaga Takauji died at 1358, "Muromachi +20." His son, Ashikaga Yoshiakira (足利義詮) became the second shogun. After that, although the generation changed, the conflict between the Southern court and the Northern court continued until 1392, "Muromachi +54." 

As we mentioned above, there were three major conflicts. According to that result, the politic power who took over the reins of government was changed frequently. It's too difficult to catch up with the alterations. Furthermore, battle fields extended various places. For example, the eastern area such as Kamakura and base cities up through Kamakura. Dazaifu (大宰府) where was the administrative center of Kyusyu (九州) area and base cities up through Dazaifu. Moreover, the Tohoku (東北) area and Kii (紀伊) peninsula where the strong bases of the Emperor Godaigo group existed. 

We suppose the lack of stability and dynamism of the Muromachi shogunate caused the unpopularity of it. Because we expect such kind of things for something newly born.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi

To close, we would like to compare the beginning of the Muromachi shogunate and political power during the Azuchi-momoyama era. During the later period, the three heroes, Oda Nobunaga (織田信長), Toyotomi Hideyoshi (豊臣秀吉) and Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川家康)were active. At first, Oda Nobunaga destroyed the Muromachi shogunate. And after the death of him, Toyotomi Hideyoshi established his government. However, his government perished in one generation and Tokugawa Ieyasu established the Edo shogunate which lasted a long time. If we compare these two, it will be a little too much biased, however, we believe you will find something which we hope to report.

We will set the timing when Toyotomi Hideyoshi destroyed the Hojo clan, 1590 as "Momoyama 0." We will describe the history quickly below. At first, Oda Nobunaga destroyed the Muromachi shogunate at 1590, "Momoyama -17." And, he was killed by one of his retainers, Akechi Mitsuhide at 1582, "Momoyama -8." At 1582, "Momoyama -8," Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu battled directly. At 1586, "Momoyama -4," they became related by the marriage of Tokugawa Ieyasu and Toyotomi Hideyoshi's younger sister. Then Tokugawa Ieyasu became a vassal of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. 

We will overlap Oda Nobunaga and the Emperor Godaigo. And we believe that we get a deduction below. The Emperor Godaigo destroyed the previous government 5 years before the establishment of the next government which was established by Ashikaga Takauji. Oda Nobunaga destroyed the previous government 17 years before the establishment of the next government which was established by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Each of them disappeared in the short term and their successors flourished the new governments.

In the case of Ashikaga Takauji, he was disliked by the ruler of the previous government. And he unwillingly changed his situation to the opposite side. In the case of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, at first, there was the death of the ruler of the previous government. And he won the battle of the potential successors. So, in this comparison, there will be unreasonableness to gain a deduction. 

Tokugawa Ieyasu

Then, can we overlap someone to Tokugawa Ieyasu? There will be two people, Ashikaga Tadayosi or Kono Moronao. However, Ashikaga Tadayoshi was a younger brother of the rival, so, we will choose Kono Moronao. In the case of Tokugawa Ieyasu, he was very clever and he waited until his previous ruler died from illness. Toyotomi Hideyoshi died at 1598, "Momoyama +8." (Ashikaga Takauji lived until 1358, "Muromachi +20," so, Hideyoshi's ruling time was comparatively short.) And Tokugawa Ieyasu established his shogunate at 1603, "Momoyama +13."

On the contrary, Kono Moronao climbed the ladder and reached one step behind the success at 1351, "Muromachi +13." And he defeated and died then. From this consideration, we may get an outlandish deduction that finalists become active after the establishment of stop-gap authority. Because "after 13 years" matched by chance in this article. 

We described very high-handed measurement, but, we believe we have gotten the deduction below. 

Very popular Azuchi-momoyama era and very unpopular Muromachi era is not all that different. For example, composition of main characters, developments of important incidents and flows of historical progress. Such kind of things is quite similar.

Up to this point, we have considered our second guessing is correct or not. The guessing is that confusing structural-outlines who battled against who is the cause of unpopularity of this era. However, we have found the conclusion it wasn't true. So, we would like to consider our third guessing is correct or not in the next article.