Stories of the Japanese 00748 [Late Kamakura Period] Emperor Kogon, the First Emperor of the Northern Court

September 5, 1331 (Genko 1 / Gentoku 3). In Kamakura, upon learning that Emperor Go-Daigo's plan to overthrow the shogunate was larger than anticipated, it was decided to send an even larger army.
The generals chosen were members of the Hojo clan, including:
・Osaragi Sadanao (?-1333)
・Kanazawa Sadafuyu (?-1333)
・Nagoe Tokimi
Ashikaga Takauji was also selected from among the influential gokenin (shogunal retainers).
Ashikaga Takauji, the first shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate, makes his first appearance here, though at this point his name is still 'Takauji'. This is the name he received during his coming-of-age ceremony, taking the character 'Taka' from Hojo Takatoki. It is only after he overthrew the Kamakura Shogunate that he changed the kanji for his name to 'Takauji'.
By the time the punitive force reached Kyoto, the rebellion had spread to various regions. On September 11, Kusunoki Masashige raised an army at Shimo-Akasaka Castle (Chihayaakasaka Village, Osaka Prefecture), and on September 14, Sakurayama Koretoshi (?-1332) raised an army at Sakurayama Castle (Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture). Details for both will be provided later.
The shogunate side took a hardline stance.
Declaring that 'Emperor Go-Daigo, who plotted to overthrow the shogunate, can no longer be recognized as Emperor,' they decided on September 20 to have the Crown Prince, Prince Kazuhito, ascend to the throne. This drama of replacing the Emperor was carried out by Nikaido Do-un and Adachi Takakage (?-1333), who were dispatched from Kamakura and gained the support of the court noble Saionji Kimimune.
Although he ascended to the throne, Emperor Go-Daigo had already taken the Three Sacred Treasures with him. The shogunate had no choice but to have him ascend without the treasures, based solely on an imperial edict from the Retired Emperor Hanazono. This followed the precedent of Emperor Go-Toba's accession when the Taira clan fled the capital with Emperor Antoku. Furthermore, since Emperor Go-Daigo still claimed to be the rightful Emperor, it can be said that the chaotic situation of the Northern and Southern Courts, with two emperors existing simultaneously, began here.
Prince Kazuhito, who ascended the throne, became Emperor Kogon. While Emperor Go-Daigo became the first of the Southern Court, this Emperor Kogon became the first of the Northern Court; the circumstances of this will be discussed in detail later.
The punitive force that arrived in Kyoto decided first to take Mount Kasagi, where Emperor Go-Daigo was holed up. On September 26, Osaragi Sadanao and Kanazawa Sadafuyu left Kyoto and headed for Mount Kasagi. This was the beginning of the full-scale Siege of Kasagi.