There are two views regarding the year of Muromachi Bakufu's establishment--in November 1336, when the administrative policies of Bakufu were set up (being clearly indicated as Kenmu Shikimoku), or in 1338, when Takauji ASHIKAGA was assigned as Seii Taishogun (literally, "great general who subdues the barbarians") by Emperor Komyo of Jimyoin-to faction (持明院統); however, the former view is more convincing.
室町幕府の成立時期には、幕府の施政方針が建武式目として確立・明示された1336年（建武(日本)3）11月、足利尊氏が持明院統の光明天皇に征夷大将軍へ補任された1338年（暦応1）の2説があるが、前者が有力説である。