The Nanboku-cho (南北朝, lit. "North and South courts"), spanning from 1336 to 1392, was a period that occured during the early years of the Muromachi period of Japan's history. During this period, there existed a North Imperial Court, established by Ashikaga Takauji in Kyoto, and the South Imperial Court, established by Emperor Go-Daigo in Yoshino.
The two courts fought for 50 years, with the South giving up to the North in 1392.