Changes

Respected by the Hojo, Takauji was among those men quickly dispatched east after the news of Go-Daigo's rebellion reached Kamakura. In October Takauji joined in the Bakufu's assault on Kasagi, which led to the apprehension of Go-Daigo.

Respected by the Hojo, Takauji was among those men quickly dispatched east after the news of Go-Daigo's rebellion reached Kamakura. In October Takauji joined in the Bakufu's assault on Kasagi, which led to the apprehension of Go-Daigo.

In Spring [[1333]] Go-Daigo escaped exile on Oki Island and returned to the mainland, buoyed by the activities of [[Kusunoki Masashige]], who presently holding off Bakufu troops at Chihaya fort, on Mt. Kongo. Determined to end this attempt at Imperial restoration once and for all, the Hojo Shikken, Takatoki ordered two powerful armies to join in the war. One of these hosts was under the control of Ashikaga Takauji, which departed from Kamakura, the other being led by a certain Nagaoshi Takaie. Loyalist samurai of the Akamatsu clan ambushed Nagaoshi's force and Nagaoshi himself was killed. This reverse left Takauji the most powerful Bakufu commander now operating in the field. Gathering up allies as he moved, Takauji arrived in [[Tamba province|Tamba]], a province controlled by Takauji's relatives the Uesugi, at the beginning of June. At this point, Takauji probably could have added his men to those already pressing the loyalists and ended Go-Daigo's rebellion. Instead, Takauji declared for the Imperial cause and in mid-June attacked Kyoto.

In Spring [[1333]] Go-Daigo escaped exile on [[Oki province|Oki Island]] and returned to the mainland, buoyed by the activities of [[Kusunoki Masashige]], who presently holding off Bakufu troops at Chihaya fort, on Mt. Kongo. Determined to end this attempt at Imperial restoration once and for all, the Hojo Shikken, Takatoki ordered two powerful armies to join in the war. One of these hosts was under the control of Ashikaga Takauji, which departed from Kamakura, the other being led by a certain Nagaoshi Takaie. Loyalist samurai of the Akamatsu clan ambushed Nagaoshi's force and Nagaoshi himself was killed. This reverse left Takauji the most powerful Bakufu commander now operating in the field. Gathering up allies as he moved, Takauji arrived in [[Tamba province|Tamba]], a province controlled by Takauji's relatives the Uesugi, at the beginning of June. At this point, Takauji probably could have added his men to those already pressing the loyalists and ended Go-Daigo's rebellion. Instead, Takauji declared for the Imperial cause and in mid-June attacked Kyoto.

In all probability, Takauji had planned on changing sides as soon as he received his orders to march west, in part due to perceived slights by the Hojo. His army was largely composed of warriors whose chiefs had familial ties to the Ashikaga and his decision to march straight to Tamba first was no doubt significant. The reasons Takauji had for rebellion ranged from personal ambition to a growing dislike of the Hojo: he came from a family with stronger blood then the Hojo and resented being treated like a vassal.

In all probability, Takauji had planned on changing sides as soon as he received his orders to march west, in part due to perceived slights by the Hojo. His army was largely composed of warriors whose chiefs had familial ties to the Ashikaga and his decision to march straight to Tamba first was no doubt significant. The reasons Takauji had for rebellion ranged from personal ambition to a growing dislike of the Hojo: he came from a family with stronger blood then the Hojo and resented being treated like a vassal.