Kenmu Restoration: Map & History
The Kenmu Restoration was a three-year period of Imperial rule in Japanese history between the Kamakura period and the Muromachi period from 1333 to 1336.
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The Kenmu Restoration was a three-year period of Imperial rule in Japanese history between the Kamakura period and the Muromachi period from 1333 to 1336. The Kenmu Restoration was an effort made by Emperor Go-Daigo to overthrow the ruling Kamakura Shogunate and restore the Imperial House to power in Japan, returning to civilian government after 148 years of de facto military government from Kamakura. Go-Daigo launched the Genkō War in 1331 against the Kamakura Shogunate but was defeated and forced to exile to the Oki Islands. Go-Daigo launched a second uprising, and with the assistance of the defected Kamakura general Ashikaga Takauji and rebel leader Nitta Yoshisada, defeated the Kamakura Shogunate at the siege of Kamakura in 1333. The Imperial House was restored to power but Go-Daigo's policies failed to satisfy his major samurai supporters and most Japanese people. The Kenmu Restoration was ultimately overthrown when Takauji became Shōgun and founded the Ashikaga Shogunate in 1336, beginning the "Northern and Southern Courts" period and the Muromachi period.
Modern Countries Once Part of Kenmu Restoration
At its mapped extent, Kenmu Restoration covered territory in 1 present-day country. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Kenmu Restoration's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Kenmu Restoration in Depth
Background
The Emperor's role had been usurped by the Minamoto and Hōjō families ever since Minamoto no Yoritomo had obtained from the Emperor the title of shōgun in 1192, ruling thereafter from Kamakura.
For various reasons, the Kamakura shogunate decided to allow two contending imperial lines—known as the Southern Court or junior line, and the Northern Court or senior line—to alternate on the throne. The method worked for several successions until a member of the Southern Court ascended to the throne as Emperor Go-Daigo. Go-Daigo wanted to overthrow the shogunate and openly defied Kamakura by naming his own son his heir. In 1331 the shogunate exiled Go-Daigo but loyalist forces, including Kusunoki Masashige, rebelled and came to his support.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Kenmu Restoration (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Kenmu Restoration: Key Facts
| Capital | Heian-kyō |
|---|---|
| Religion | shinbutsu-shūgō |
| Form of government | absolute monarchy |
| Currency | ryō |
| Founded | 17 July 1333 |
| Dissolved | 10 October 1336 |
Preceded by
- Kamakura shogunate
- Kamakura period
Succeeded by
- Ashikaga shogunate
- Southern Court
- Muromachi period
Facts from Wikidata Q826021 (CC0).
Kenmu Restoration Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 320,516 km² in 1338 CE.
Kenmu Restoration: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Kenmu Restoration exist?
Kenmu Restoration is dated to 1333 CE – 1343 CE, in the High & Late Middle Ages era.
What was the capital of Kenmu Restoration?
The capital of Kenmu Restoration was Heian-kyō.
How large was Kenmu Restoration at its peak?
At its peak in 1338 AD Kenmu Restoration covered about 320,516 km².
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