Six centuries ago the maxim was rudely shattered when rival feudal lords supported a “Southern Emperor” named Go-Daigo and a “Northern Emperor” named Kogon (both members of the imperial ...

Defending Japan against the Mongols in 1274 and 1281 created deep money woes. The end came with Emperor Go-Daigo’s successful 1333 revolt. His reforms ended in 1336 when a supporting clan ...