In the early 14th century in Japan, Emperor Go-Daigo had a desire to overthrow the Kamakura Shogunate (or any Shogunate) and restore Imperial rule throughout all of Japan. He succeeded in 1333, and he was known for his desire to create a government similar to the Imperial Dictatorship of China, as he desired to make Japan as Chinese as possible, as he admired Chinese society and way of life, and the Emperor also had ambitions to become the most powerful ruler in all the East (Imagine an Emperor of Cathay and Cipango). Sadly, this government was overthrown by the Ashikaga clan who would establish their own Shogunate.

Anyone have any ideas of how this might succeed?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenmu_Restoration
 
Japanese history isn't my forte, but i think Go-Daigo had a good chance to defeat Ashikaga Takauji at either the Battle Of Minatogawa or the Battle of Tatarahama.
The problem with Go-Daigo's reforms is that they were too quick and upset the military aristocracy (especially the shogun). Thus, conflict was inevitable. But if the emperor can defeat the shogun quick enough, then he'll be able to stand unopposed.
 

raharris1973

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So, Go-Daigo adopts an examination system from China? I wonder if he allies with the Yuan or tries to liberate the Chinese from them.
 
The thing is... Go-Daigo was simply trying to pretty much destroy the current order and put Japan in a path people haven't see since what? The Tara period? To make things worse, AFAIK, guy is completely outnumbered in arms and support against Takauji.
 
Based admittedly entire on Wikipedia - I'd have to say that undermining the powerful clans with minor warriors might well be a good start. However it also seems like he created toothless courts. If he brings the minor warriors on side, and makes the courts more powerful (with their main authorised punishment being the confiscation of land and wealth), then it might change things and prevent a civil war - but only if he starts lavishing these confiscations onto the peasantry. That should undo a lot of the unpopularity issues with the peasants and minor warriors - and undermine any other authority.

However, it sounds like there is space for pulling a Hideyoshi - and unleash the now slightly-less-power lords on Korea. It'll weaken them to an extent, allow Go-Daigo to consolidate in Japan - and then allow the establishment of Daimyo in Korea as the first part of an invasion of China (somehow, don't ask me how he expected to pull it off). Worst case scenario is that he wins in Korea but the Daiymo form a Shogunate and ignore him - rather than being his agent in the peninsula. - Although, on second thought, this could be turned on its head as a happy trap, with the Emperor able to come in with more loyal forces afterwards (including a peasant-turned-professional army(?) I don't know about that sort of policy), and appoint loyal minor warriors and local Koreans to the administration in Korea.
 

raharris1973

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t sounds like there is space for pulling a Hideyoshi - and unleash the now slightly-less-power lords on Korea

Is there any record of Go-Daigo thinking of invading Korea?

I wonder how many times the Japanese seriously thought about pulling a Hideyoshi but did not launch for one reason or another. Over the whole span of Japan's history, invasions of the mainland were very few and far between before the late 19th century.
 
Is there any record of Go-Daigo thinking of invading Korea?

I wonder how many times the Japanese seriously thought about pulling a Hideyoshi but did not launch for one reason or another. Over the whole span of Japan's history, invasions of the mainland were very few and far between before the late 19th century.

He did apparently desire to be the most powerful ruler in all the East, and the way to do that is by conquering China, and the gateway to China is Manchuria, and the gateway to Manchuria is...
 

raharris1973

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He did apparently desire to be the most powerful ruler in all the East, and the way to do that is by conquering China, and the gateway to China is Manchuria, and the gateway to Manchuria is...

Would Go-Daigo have thought of Japan, Korea and China as "the East" or simply "the world"
 
OK I have no idea WHERE people are getting the Korea thing from but let my nip it in the bud right now: there's NO evidence WHATSOEVER of any plans by Go-Daigo to invade Korea, Manchuria or China. I'd highly recommend Kenmu: Go-Daigo's Revolution by Andrew Edmund Goble for anyone interested in the Restoration. It's a fascinating read, if a bit dry, that basically argues that the restoration was more of a revolution that had a good chance of succeeded if the reforms had been given time to take hold. Personally I think the best bet would be to have Prince Moriyoshi, Go-Daigo's son and chief imperialist general, not be arrested and beheaded. He had the respect of a good deal of the military aristocracy and had been a major rival to the Ashikaga brothers. They played on the Emperor's paranoia to get permission to arrest the Prince and later execute him; have the Prince retain his father's confidence could go a long way, especially if Moriyoshi becomes Crown Prince. One should also consider having Nitta Yoshisada successfully defeat the Ashikaga in late 1335/early 36. A combo of these two would likely be best.
 
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