Stories of the Japanese 01005 [Early Northern and Southern Courts Period] Tadayoshi Surrenders to the Southern Court
The custom of "high-ranking officials who have lost their position within the Muromachi Shogunate surrendering to the Southern Court" began here. Tadayoshi was the first example, but similar events would occur about ten more times after this.
As Tadayoshi's rebellion spread across the country, the Takauji administration found itself in a dire predicament. From here, I must finally tell you about Tadayoshi's unexpected "forbidden move." It was, of all things, to join forces with the Southern Court.
December 9, 1350 (the 5th year of Shohei, 1st year of Kanno, 6th year of Jowa). The letter Tadayoshi sent to the Southern Court in Yoshino was as follows:
"At the beginning of the Genko era, when the late Emperor (Emperor Go-Daigo) moved the Imperial Palace to the Western Sea (the Oki Islands) due to treacherous subjects, there were many who raised armies in response to the Imperial command. Some were surrounded by enemies or lost their resolve after defeat in battle, but I encouraged my brother Takauji to follow the Emperor. I believe this was an action that met with the late Emperor's approval."
"After that, due to the slanders of Nitta Yoshisada and others, I became the object of the late Emperor's wrath despite being innocent, and we were separated from the Emperor. That the Ashikaga clan became enemies of the Imperial Court is a source of endless regret."
"I believe my sins are truly heavy, but if I may be forgiven by the Emperor's grace, I intend to apologize for my sins and immediately quell the great chaos in the realm."
This was truly a letter of "surrender." Tadayoshi was attempting to form an alliance with the Southern Court, and for that purpose, he adopted the form of a "surrender."
In the Southern Court at Yoshino, the court nobles immediately gathered to discuss how this should be received. Toin Saneyo stated:
"There is a great falsehood in Tadayoshi's words. He is merely trying to borrow the Emperor's authority because he has been driven out of the capital by Moronao and Moroyasu and has nowhere else to go. Is it not entirely Tadayoshi's fault that we have spent nearly these past 20 years far from the capital in vain? If Tadayoshi says he will surrender, we should take this opportunity to punish him. We should promptly dispatch a punitive force and display Tadayoshi's head before the gates of the Imperial Palace."
This opinion views Tadayoshi, not Takauji, as the central figure of the Shogunate.
On the other hand, Nijo Yoshimoto stated:
"Might someone who apologizes for their own sins instead serve with unwavering loyalty and integrity? If Tadayoshi comes to our side, it will lead to the Emperor reclaiming the realm. It would be best to forgive his past merits from the Genko era, restore him to his official position, and employ him."
Toin Saneyo and Nijo Yoshimoto. Which of the two opinions will prevail?