For most of
Japan's history, the Emperor was a powerless figurehead while real power rested in the
Shogunate, and this was no different for
Emperor Godaigo who was overshadowed by the
Kamakura Shogunate. But in 1324, during the last few years of the
Kamakura period, the Emperor plotted to overthrow the Shogunate but his plan was discovered. Undeterred, he tried again seven years later but was once again discovered due to the treachery of Fujiwara Sadafusa, Godaigo's trusted adviser. Realizing that he was at the end of his rope, the Emperor fled from
Kyoto for
Kasagi, and was besieged there by Kamakura Shogunate troops. Godaigo survived
the siege, but he was banished to the
Isles of Oki. Meanwhile,
Kusunoki Masashige and Kusunoki Shichiro, two brothers who had sworn their allegiance to the Emperor, were gathering their forces at
Shimo Akasaka, a fortress built upon
Mount Yoshino, and were joined there by the Emperor's son,
Prince Moriyoshi. As 200-300,000 Kamakura Shogunate soldiers arrived to besiege the fortress in November, Akasaka was garrisoned by 200
samurai inside the fort; a
palisade protected by 20-30 wooden towers under Masashige while another 300 samurai waited on a nearby hill under Kusunoki Shichiro's command. ==Battle==