In the early Muromachi period, the Japanese government was separated into the Southern Dynasty of Daikakuji-to (imperial lineage starting with Emperor Kameyama) and the Northern Dynasty of Jimyoin-to (imperial lineage from Emperor Gofukakusa to Emperor Gokomatsu) which opposed one another.
また室町時代初期には、大覚寺統の南朝(日本)（吉野朝廷）と持明院統の北朝(日本)とに分かれ対立していた。