Its origin was the Kamakura shogunfu headed by Imperial Prince Nariyoshi, a prince of Emperor Godaigo, which Emperor Godaigo established, as a part of the Kenmu Restoration, for the purpose of ruling the Kanto region.
後醍醐天皇が建武の新政の一環として関東統治を目的に皇子・成良親王を奉じて鎌倉へ下向させて創設した鎌倉将軍府が起源。