Emperor Godaigo, on the other hand, escaped from Kyoto, fleeing to Yoshino and insisting that 'The Imperial Regalia I handed over to the Northern Court are fake; Emperor Komyo's throne is not the true Imperial throne' before establishing his own Court at Yoshino (the Southern Court), sending his own sons in obedience to his wishes to various areas, including Hokuriku and Kyushu.
後醍醐天皇は京都を脱出して吉野へ逃れ、「北朝に渡した神器は贋物であり光明天皇の皇位は正統ではない」と主張して吉野に南朝（吉野朝廷）を開き、北陸や九州など各地へ自らの皇子を奉じさせて派遣する。