Go-Daigo endeavors in the swell of victory to restore imperial authority and tenth-century Confucian practices.

This period of reform, known as the Kenmu Restoration (1333-36), aims at strengthening the position of the emperor and reasserting the primacy of the court nobles over the bushi.

The reality, however, is that the forces who had arisen against Kamakura had been set on defeating the Hōjō, not on supporting the emperor.

Ashikaga Takauji finally sides with the Northern Court in a civil war against the Southern Court represented by Go-Daigo. The long War Between the Courts lasts from 1336 to 1392.

Early in the conflict, Go-Daigo is driven from Kyoto, and the Northern Court contender is installed by Ashikaga, who becomes the new shogun.