Japanese Civil War
The Japanese Civil War was fought between Imperial Year 2602-2611 (AD 1942-1951), Xòwa 10-19 in the official records, Xinwa Gannen-10 in the rival's records. It was fought between supporters of the main line of the Imperial House, represented by Emperor Xòwa, and the Cumazawa branch, represented by the pretender Xinwa.
The war broke out over the issue of Xòwa's loyalty to China. Beginning in Xòwa 5 (1937), Cumazawa Hiromitxi began publically criticizing the Emperor, and his entire lineage. Cumazawa claimed that Japan's problems would only end once the corrupt Northern Court lineage was removed, and the purer Southern Court restored to power. It goes without saying that this was very unpopular among the government leaders, and they moved to arrest Cumazawa. Cumazawa fled to the countryside, finding support in northern Tòhocu. There he established himself as the Xinwa Emperor (真和天皇) at the city of Aquita, in Aquita Province, and organized an army.
The initial stages of the civil war had no real battle front, as Cumazawa's supporters were scattered throughout the Empire. But, soon, only the northernmost part of Honxù, and southern Hoccaidò, remained loyal to him. Southern Hoccaidò was soon lost to the breakaway Republic of Ezo. Initially, the Cumazawa hopes seemed doomed to failure, but then, several major generals betrayed the Xòwa Emperor and sided with the Xinwa Pretender. Guerilla support throughout the Xòwa-held area also helped the Xinwa Pretender. His fortunes turned around, and his armies soon began marching southward, capturing Tòquiò in Xòwa 14/Xinwa 5 (1946), forcing the Emperor and his family, and most of the government, to flee south to the historic capital of Quiòto.
The Xinwa Pretender occupied the Imperial Palace and moved his government to Tòquiò. The heighth of the Xinwa fortunes was in Xòwa 16/Xinwa 7 (1948), when their control stretched down into the Txùbu region. However, they were held there along a line stretching from Ixicawa through Gifu and into Aitxi. However, despite their advantages in ground combat, they had very little naval strength, which was quickly brushed aside by the Xòwa navy. A total blockade of the Xinwa region, combined with the war damage of their territories and lack of silver, weakened the Xinwa forces. They were unable to produce weapons fast enough to meet the Xòwa forces, and were also going hungry.
The Xòwa forces began pushing northward, reaching Tòquiò and surrounding in Xòwa 19/Xinwa 10 (1951). The Xinwa pretender surrendered, to avoid further damage to Tòquio, and signed a treaty with the Xòwa Emperor agreeing to recognize the legitimacy of the Northern Court's descendants (the main line), in exchange for which the Cumazawa branch was given recognition as Imperial Family members, their branch protected from disestablishment, and inserted them into the line of succession. In addition, Xòwa consented to abdicate at the end of the year in favor of his son, Crown Prince Aquihito, who became the new Emperor. It was also agreed that a new constitution would be written. The Cumazawa won a few concessions in the new constitution.
