Emperor Godaigo attempted to rehabilitate the political power and influence of the Court through the return to direct Imperial rule, but his attempts left many in the samurai class in particular disgruntled, until in 1336 the most powerful member of the Kawachi-Genji (Minamoto clan), Takauji ASHIKAGA, became estranged from Emperor Godaigo, leading to the collapse of the Imperial government.
後醍醐天皇は天皇親政によって朝廷の政治を復権しようとしたが、武士層を中心とする不満を招き、1336年（建武3年）に河内源氏の有力者であった足利尊氏が離反したことにより、政権は崩壊した。