Who’s Emperor Anyway? Nanboku-chō Northern Court, 1336 EMPEROR

In the northern capital Kyoto, cuirasses were fastened and chonmages tied tight as generals awaited orders that could determine the course of the Northern Imperial Court. The youthful Kōmyō exits the palace and steps out into the sunlight, standing directly in front of Kōgon, his older brother. From now on, he will be referred to as Emperor Kōmyō. His eyes are bright, and his smile is divinely radiant. He doesn’t know it yet, but in 12 years, he is fated to lose his throne to his brother’s son.

For now, however, he is the legitimate heir to the Chrysanthemum Throne.

Far away, among the cherry blossoms of southern Yoshino, “Emperor” Go-Daigo’s exiled court refuses to yield. Go-Daigo spends his days staring at his reflection in the mirror. Behind him, a sword is reflected. And within the shine of the sword, a jewel of immense size can be seen. Together, these artifacts constitute the Imperial Treasures. Without them, Go-Daigo will continue to claim that Emperor Kōmyō’s rule cannot be legitimate.

Within Kyoto, however, power does not await a consensus. The Ashikaga brothers, Kugyō and Kuge, push and shove, fighting to be heard. Although Kōmyō is merely a fourteen-year-old boy, he recognizes their true agenda; when tradition and force do not align, they all seek power.

Beyond the capital, war and reality are synonymous. The rugged terrain of Southern Japan, for now, shields the Southern Court from assault, while defections and betrayals from opportunistic alliances force the Northern Court to remain vigilant. You are one of many members of the Northern Court at the height of the Nanboku-chō conflict. You must convince Emperor Kōmyō to make the right choices to prove to the public (ironically) that he is not just a puppet. As the line blurs between emperor and instrument, one question will define every decision made within the court:

Who’s emperor, anyway?