Changes

==Background==

==Background==

In the beginning of the 13th century, Emperor Go-Toba found his attempts at political maneuvers blocked by the Kamakura shogunate. Seeking independence, and the power rightfully his as [[Emperors of Japan|the ruler of Japan]], Go-Toba gathered allies in 1221, and planned to effect an overthrow of the shogunate. These allies consisted primarily of members of the [[Taira clan]], and other enemies of the [[Minamoto clan]], the victors in the [[Genpei War]], and clan of the [[shogun]]s.

In the beginning of the 13th century, Emperor Go-Toba found his attempts at political maneuvers blocked by the Kamakura shogunate. Seeking independence, and the power rightfully his as [[Emperors of Japan|the ruler of Japan]], Go-Toba gathered allies in 1221, and planned to effect an overthrow of the shogunate. These allies consisted primarily of members of the [[Taira clan]], and other enemies of the [[Minamoto clan]] - the victors in the [[Genpei War]], and clan of the [[shogun]]s.

In the fifth lunar month of 1221, the Retired Emperor Go-Toba decided on lines of succession, without consulting the shogunate. He then invited a great number of potential allies from amongst the eastern warriors of Kyoto to a great festival, thus revealing the loyalties of those who rejected the invitation. One important officer revealed his loyalty to the shogunate by doing so, and was killed. Several days later, the Imperial Court declared [[Hojo Yoshitoki|Hôjô Yoshitoki]], the regent and representative of the shogunate, to be an outlaw, and three days later the entirety of eastern Japan had officially risen in rebellion.

In the fifth lunar month of 1221, the Retired Emperor Go-Toba decided on lines of succession, without consulting the shogunate. He then invited a great number of potential allies from amongst the eastern warriors of Kyoto to a great festival, thus revealing the loyalties of those who rejected the invitation. One important officer revealed his loyalty to the shogunate by doing so, and was killed. Several days later, the Imperial Court declared [[Hojo Yoshitoki|Hôjô Yoshitoki]], the regent and representative of the shogunate, to be an outlaw, and three days later the entirety of eastern Japan had officially risen in rebellion.

These forces faced meager opposition on their way to the capital; the Imperial commanders were simply outfought. When Go-Toba heard of this string of defeats, he left the city for [[Enryakuji|Mount Hiei]], where he asked for aid from the ''[[sohei|sôhei]]'', the warrior monks of Mount Hiei. They declined, citing weakness, and the Go-Toba returned to Kyoto. The remnants of the Imperial army fought their final stand at the bridge over the river Uji, where the opening battle of the Genpei War had been fought, 41 years earlier. Yasutoki's cavalry pushed through, scattering the Imperial forces, and pressed on to Kyoto.

These forces faced meager opposition on their way to the capital; the Imperial commanders were simply outfought. When Go-Toba heard of this string of defeats, he left the city for [[Enryakuji|Mount Hiei]], where he asked for aid from the ''[[sohei|sôhei]]'', the warrior monks of Mount Hiei. They declined, citing weakness, and the Go-Toba returned to Kyoto. The remnants of the Imperial army fought their final stand at the bridge over the river Uji, where the opening battle of the Genpei War had been fought, 41 years earlier. Yasutoki's cavalry pushed through, scattering the Imperial forces, and pressed on to Kyoto.

The capital was taken by the shogun's forces, and Go-Toba's rebellion was put to an end. Go-Toba was banished to the [[Oki province|Oki Islands]], from where he never returned. His sons were also banished, including [[Emperor Tsuchimikado|Retired Emperor Tsuchimikado]] (to [[Tosa province|Tosa]]) and [[Emperor Juntoku|Retired Emperor Juntoku]] (to [[Sado province|Sado]]), and the recently enthroned [[Emperor Chukyo]], the first son of Juntoku, was replaced with [[Emperor Go-Horikawa]], a nephew of Go-Toba.

The fighting lasted only about one month. The capital was taken by the shogun's forces, and Go-Toba's rebellion was put to an end. Go-Toba was banished to the [[Oki province|Oki Islands]], from where he never returned. His sons were also banished, including [[Emperor Tsuchimikado|Retired Emperor Tsuchimikado]] (to [[Tosa province|Tosa]]) and [[Emperor Juntoku|Retired Emperor Juntoku]] (to [[Sado province|Sado]]), and the recently enthroned [[Emperor Chukyo]], the first son of Juntoku, was replaced with [[Emperor Go-Horikawa]], a nephew of Go-Toba.

 

==Historical materials==

==Historical materials==

==References==

==References==

*Sansom, George (1958). 'A History of Japan to 1334'. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press.

*Sansom, George (1958). 'A History of Japan to 1334'. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press.

[[Category:Kamakura Period]]

[[Category:Kamakura Period]]

[[Category:Battles]]

[[Category:Battles]]