Emperor Go-Daigo
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Emperor Go-Daigo (後醍醐天皇 ''Go-Daigo-tennō'') (26 November 1288 – 19 September 1339) was the 96th
emperor of Japan The Emperor of Japan is the monarch and the head of the Imperial Family of Japan. Under the Constitution of Japan, he is defined as the symbol of the Japanese state and the unity of the Japanese people, and his position is derived from "the ...
, Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'')
後醍醐天皇 (96)
retrieved 2013-8-28.
according to the traditional
order of succession An order of succession or right of succession is the line of individuals necessitated to hold a high office when it becomes vacated such as head of state or an honour such as a title of nobility.overthrew the
Kamakura shogunate The was the feudal military government of Japan during the Kamakura period from 1185 to 1333. Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005)"''Kamakura-jidai''"in ''Japan Encyclopedia'', p. 459. The Kamakura shogunate was established by Minamoto no ...
in 1333 and established the short lived
Kenmu Restoration The was a three-year period of Imperial rule in Japanese history between the Kamakura period and the Muromachi period from 1333 to 1336. The Kenmu Restoration was an effort made by Emperor Go-Daigo to overthrow the ruling Kamakura Shogunate ...
to bring the
Imperial House A dynasty is a sequence of rulers from the same family,''Oxford English Dictionary'', "dynasty, ''n''." Oxford University Press (Oxford), 1897. usually in the context of a monarchical system, but sometimes also appearing in republics. A d ...
back into power. This was to be the last time the emperor had real
power Power most often refers to: * Power (physics), meaning "rate of doing work" ** Engine power, the power put out by an engine ** Electric power * Power (social and political), the ability to influence people or events ** Abusive power Power may a ...
until the
Meiji Restoration The , referred to at the time as the , and also known as the Meiji Renovation, Revolution, Regeneration, Reform, or Renewal, was a political event that restored practical imperial rule to Japan in 1868 under Emperor Meiji. Although there were ...
in 1868.Sansom 1977: 22–42. The Kenmu restoration was in turn overthrown by
Ashikaga Takauji was the founder and first '' shōgun'' of the Ashikaga shogunate."Ashikaga Takauji" in ''The New Encyclopædia Britannica''. Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 15th edn., 1992, Vol. 1, p. 625. His rule began in 1338, beginning the Murom ...
in 1336, ushering in the
Ashikaga shogunate The , also known as the , was the feudal military government of Japan during the Muromachi period from 1336 to 1573.Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005)"''Muromachi-jidai''"in ''Japan Encyclopedia'', p. 669. The Ashikaga shogunate was establi ...
, and split the imperial family into two opposing factions between the Ashikaga backed
Northern Court The , also known as the Ashikaga Pretenders or Northern Pretenders, were a set of six pretenders to the throne of Japan during the Nanboku-chō period from 1336 through 1392. The present Imperial House of Japan is descended from the Northern Cou ...
situated in
Kyoto Kyoto (; Japanese language, Japanese: , ''Kyōto'' ), officially , is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture in Japan. Located in the Kansai region on the island of Honshu, Kyoto forms a part of the Keihanshin, Keihanshin metropolitan area along wi ...
and the Southern Court based in
Yoshino Yoshino may refer to: * Yoshino cherry, another name for ''Prunus × yedoensis'', a flowering cherry tree * Japanese cruiser Yoshino, Japanese cruiser ''Yoshino'', a protected cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy Places * Yoshino, Nara, a town ...
led by Go-Daigo and his later successors. This 14th-century sovereign personally chose his posthumous name after the 9th-century
Emperor Daigo was the 60th emperor of Japan,Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 醍醐天皇 (60)/ref> according to the traditional order of succession. Daigo's reign spanned the years from 897 through 930. He is named after his place of burial. G ...
and ''go-'' (後), translates as "later", and he is thus sometimes called the "Later Emperor Daigo", or, in some older sources, "Daigo, the second" or as "Daigo II".


Biography

Before his ascension to the
Chrysanthemum Throne The is the throne of the Emperor of Japan. The term also can refer to very specific seating, such as the throne in the Shishin-den at Kyoto Imperial Palace. Various other thrones or seats that are used by the Emperor during official functions ...
, his personal name (''
imina in modern times consist of a family name (surname) followed by a given name, in that order. Nevertheless, when a Japanese name is written in the Roman alphabet, ever since the Meiji era, the official policy has been to cater to Western expecta ...
'') was Takaharu''-shinnō'' (尊治親王). He was the second son of the Daikakuji-tō emperor, Emperor Go-Uda. His mother was Fujiwara no ''Chūshi''/Tadako (''藤原忠子''), daughter of Fujiwara no Tadatsugu (Itsutsuji Tadatsugu) (''藤原忠継/五辻忠継''). She became Nyoin called Dantenmon-in (談天門院). His older brother was Emperor Go-Nijō. Emperor Go-Daigo's ideal was the Engi era (901–923) during the reign of
Emperor Daigo was the 60th emperor of Japan,Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 醍醐天皇 (60)/ref> according to the traditional order of succession. Daigo's reign spanned the years from 897 through 930. He is named after his place of burial. G ...
, a period of direct imperial rule. An emperor's posthumous name was normally chosen after his death, but Emperor Go-Daigo chose his personally during his lifetime, to share it with Emperor Daigo.


Events of Go-Daigo's life

* 1308 ('' Enkyō 1''): At the death of Emperor Go-Nijō, Hanazono accedes to the
Chrysanthemum Throne The is the throne of the Emperor of Japan. The term also can refer to very specific seating, such as the throne in the Shishin-den at Kyoto Imperial Palace. Various other thrones or seats that are used by the Emperor during official functions ...
at age 12 years; and Takaharu''-shinnō'', the second son of former- Emperor Go-Uda is elevated as Crown Prince and heir apparent under the direction of the
Kamakura shogunate The was the feudal military government of Japan during the Kamakura period from 1185 to 1333. Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005)"''Kamakura-jidai''"in ''Japan Encyclopedia'', p. 459. The Kamakura shogunate was established by Minamoto no ...
. * 29 March 1318 ('' Bunpō 2, 26th day of 2nd month''): In the 11th year of Hanazono's reign (花園天皇十一年), the emperor abdicated; and the succession (''senso'') was received by his cousin, the second son of former-Emperor Go-Uda. Shortly thereafter, Emperor Go-Daigo is said to have acceded to the throne (''sokui''). * 1319 (''Bunpō 3, 4th month''): Emperor Go-Daigo caused the ''
nengō The , also known as , is the first of the two elements that identify years in the Japanese era calendar scheme. The second element is a number which indicates the year number within the era (with the first year being ""), followed by the literal ...
'' to be changed to '' Gen'ō'' to mark the beginning of his reign. In 1324, with the discovery of Emperor Go-Daigo's plans to overthrow the
Kamakura shogunate The was the feudal military government of Japan during the Kamakura period from 1185 to 1333. Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005)"''Kamakura-jidai''"in ''Japan Encyclopedia'', p. 459. The Kamakura shogunate was established by Minamoto no ...
, the
Rokuhara Tandai was the post of the chiefs of the Kamakura shogunate in Kyoto whose agency, the , kept responsibility for security in Kinai and judicial affairs on western Japan, and negotiated with the imperial court. Despite keeping security, the Rokuhara we ...
disposed of his close associate Hino Suketomo in the Shōchū Incident. In the Genkō Incident of 1331, Emperor Go-Daigo's plans were again discovered, this time by a betrayal by his close associate Yoshida Sadafusa. He quickly hid the Sacred Treasures in a secluded castle in Kasagiyama (the modern town of Kasagi, Sōraku District, Kyōto Prefecture) and raised an army, but the castle fell to the shogunate's army the following year, and they enthroned
Emperor Kōgon was the first of the Emperors of Northern Court during the Period of the Northern and Southern Courts in Japan. His reign spanned the years from 1331 through 1333. Genealogy Before his ascension to the Nanboku-chō throne, his personal name (h ...
, exiling Daigo to Oki Province (the
Oki Islands The is an archipelago in the Sea of Japan, the islands of which are administratively part of Oki District, Shimane Prefecture, Japan. The islands have a total area of . Only four of the around 180 islands are permanently inhabited. Much of the ...
in modern-day Shimane Prefecture), the same place to which
Emperor Go-Toba was the 82nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1183 through 1198. This 12th-century sovereign was named after Emperor Toba, and ''go-'' (後), translates literally as "later"; a ...
had been exiled after the
Jōkyū War , also known as the Jōkyū Disturbance or the Jōkyū Rebellion, was fought in Japan between the forces of Retired Emperor Go-Toba and those of the Hōjō clan, regents of the Kamakura shogunate, whom the retired emperor was trying to overthrow ...
of 1221. In 1333, Emperor Go-Daigo escaped from Oki with the help of
Nawa Nagatoshi Nawa Nagatoshi (名和長年) (died August 7, 1336) was a Kamakura Period military figure who defended the Southern Court during the Nanboku-chō period. Nawa was appointed Governor of Hoki Province as a reward for his support of Go-Daigo during t ...
and his family, raising an army at Senjo Mountain in
Hōki Province was an old province of Japan in the area that is today the western part of Tottori Prefecture. It was sometimes called . Hōki bordered on Inaba, Mimasaka, Bitchū, Bingo, and Izumo Provinces. The ancient capital was in the area that is ...
(the modern town of Kotoura in Tōhaku District,
Tottori Prefecture is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region of Honshu. Tottori Prefecture is the least populous prefecture of Japan at 570,569 (2016) and has a geographic area of . Tottori Prefecture borders Shimane Prefecture to the west, Hiro ...
).
Ashikaga Takauji was the founder and first '' shōgun'' of the Ashikaga shogunate."Ashikaga Takauji" in ''The New Encyclopædia Britannica''. Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 15th edn., 1992, Vol. 1, p. 625. His rule began in 1338, beginning the Murom ...
, who had been sent by the shogunate to find and destroy this army, sided with the emperor and captured the
Rokuhara Tandai was the post of the chiefs of the Kamakura shogunate in Kyoto whose agency, the , kept responsibility for security in Kinai and judicial affairs on western Japan, and negotiated with the imperial court. Despite keeping security, the Rokuhara we ...
. Immediately following this,
Nitta Yoshisada was a samurai lord of the Nanboku-chō period Japan. He was the head of the Nitta clan in the early fourteenth century, and supported the Southern Court of Emperor Go-Daigo in the Nanboku-chō period. He famously marched on Kamakura, besieging ...
, who had raised an army in the east, laid siege to Kamakura. When the city finally fell to Nitta, Hōjō Takatoki, the shogunal regent, fled to Tōshō temple, where he and his entire family committed suicide. This ended Hōjō power and paved the way for a new
military regime A military dictatorship is a dictatorship in which the military exerts complete or substantial control over political authority, and the dictator is often a high-ranked military officer. The reverse situation is to have civilian control of the m ...
. Upon his triumphal return to Kyoto, Daigo took the throne from Emperor Kōgon and began the
Kenmu Restoration The was a three-year period of Imperial rule in Japanese history between the Kamakura period and the Muromachi period from 1333 to 1336. The Kenmu Restoration was an effort made by Emperor Go-Daigo to overthrow the ruling Kamakura Shogunate ...
. The Restoration was ostensibly a revival of the older ways, but, in fact, the emperor had his eye set on an imperial dictatorship like that of the
emperor of China ''Huangdi'' (), translated into English as Emperor, was the superlative title held by monarchs of China who ruled various imperial regimes in Chinese history. In traditional Chinese political theory, the emperor was considered the Son of Heav ...
. He wanted to imitate the Chinese in all their ways and become the most powerful ruler in the East. Impatient reforms, litigation over land rights, rewards, and the exclusion of the samurai from the political order caused much complaining, and his political order began to fall apart. In 1335,
Ashikaga Takauji was the founder and first '' shōgun'' of the Ashikaga shogunate."Ashikaga Takauji" in ''The New Encyclopædia Britannica''. Chicago: Encyclopædia Britannica Inc., 15th edn., 1992, Vol. 1, p. 625. His rule began in 1338, beginning the Murom ...
, who had travelled to eastern Japan without obtaining an imperial edict in order to suppress the Nakasendai Rebellion, became disaffected. Daigo ordered Nitta Yoshisada to track down and destroy Ashikaga. Ashikaga defeated Nitta Yoshisada at the Battle of Takenoshita, Hakone.
Kusunoki Masashige was a Japanese samurai of the Kamakura period remembered as the ideal of samurai loyalty. Kusunoki fought for Emperor Go-Daigo in the Genkō War to overthrow the Kamakura shogunate and restore power in Japan to the Imperial Court. Kusunoki ...
and Kitabatake Akiie, in communication with Kyoto, smashed the Ashikaga army. Takauji fled to Kyūshū, but the following year, after reassembling his army, he again approached Kyōto. Kusunoki Masashige proposed a reconciliation with Takauji to the emperor, but Go-Daigo rejected this. He ordered Masashige and Yoshisada to destroy Takauji. Kusunoki's army was defeated at the
Battle of Minatogawa The Battle of Minatogawa (), also known as the Battle of Minato River, was a battle of the Nanboku-chō Wars fought near the Minato River in Settsu Province (present day Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture) on 5 July 1336. The Imperial forces loyal to Em ...
. When Ashikaga's army entered Kyōto, Emperor Go-Daigo resisted, fleeing to
Mount Hiei is a mountain to the northeast of Kyoto, lying on the border between the Kyoto and Shiga Prefectures, Japan. The temple of Enryaku-ji, the first outpost of the Japanese Tendai (Chin. Tiantai) sect of Buddhism, was founded atop Mount Hiei b ...
, but seeking reconciliation, he sent the imperial regalia to the Ashikaga side. Takauji enthroned the Jimyōin-tō emperor, Kōmyō, and officially began his shogunate with the enactment of the Kenmu Law Code. Go-Daigo escaped from the capital in January 1337, the regalia that he had handed over to the Ashikaga being counterfeit, and set up the Southern Court among the mountains of
Yoshino Yoshino may refer to: * Yoshino cherry, another name for ''Prunus × yedoensis'', a flowering cherry tree * Japanese cruiser Yoshino, Japanese cruiser ''Yoshino'', a protected cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy Places * Yoshino, Nara, a town ...
, beginning the Period of Northern and Southern Courts in which the Northern Dynasty in
Kyoto Kyoto (; Japanese language, Japanese: , ''Kyōto'' ), officially , is the capital city of Kyoto Prefecture in Japan. Located in the Kansai region on the island of Honshu, Kyoto forms a part of the Keihanshin, Keihanshin metropolitan area along wi ...
and the Southern Dynasty in Yoshino faced off against each other. Emperor Go-Daigo ordered Imperial Prince Kaneyoshi to Kyūshū and Nitta Yoshisada and Imperial Prince Tsuneyoshi to Hokuriku, and so forth, dispatching his sons all over, so that they could oppose the Northern Court. * 18 September 1339 (''
Ryakuō was a Japanese era of the Northern Court during the Era of Northern and Southern Courts, lasting from August 1338 to April 1342. The emperor in Kyoto was . Go-Kōgon's Southern Court rival in Yoshino during this time-frame was . Nanboku-chō ...
2, 15th day of the 8th month''): In the 21st year of Go-Daigo's reign, the emperor abdicated at Yoshino in favor of his son, Noriyoshi''-shinnō,'' who would become
Emperor Go-Murakami (1328 – March 29, 1368) was the 97th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession, and a member of the Southern Court during the Nanboku-chō period of rival courts. He reigned from September 18, 1339, until March 29, 13 ...
. * 19 September 1339 (''
Ryakuō was a Japanese era of the Northern Court during the Era of Northern and Southern Courts, lasting from August 1338 to April 1342. The emperor in Kyoto was . Go-Kōgon's Southern Court rival in Yoshino during this time-frame was . Nanboku-chō ...
2, 16th day of the 8th month''): Go-Daigo died; The actual site of Go-Daigo's grave is settled. This emperor is traditionally venerated at a memorial
Shinto Shinto () is a religion from Japan. Classified as an East Asian religion by scholars of religion, its practitioners often regard it as Japan's indigenous religion and as a nature religion. Scholars sometimes call its practitioners ''Shintois ...
shrine A shrine ( la, scrinium "case or chest for books or papers"; Old French: ''escrin'' "box or case") is a sacred or holy space dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, martyr, saint, daemon, or similar figure of respect, wherein they ...
(''misasagi'') at Nara. The Imperial Household Agency designates this location as Go-Daigo's mausoleum. It is formally named ''Tō-no-o no misasagi''.


Genealogy


Consorts and children

* Empress (''Chūgū''): Saionji '' Kishi'' (''西園寺禧子'') later Empress Dowager Go-Kyōgoku-in (後京極院), Saionji Sanekane's daughter ** Princess (b. 1314) ** Second Daughter: Imperial Princess Kanshi (懽子内親王, 1315–1362) later Empress Dowager Senseimon-in (宣政門院), Saiō at
Ise Shrine The , located in Ise, Mie Prefecture of Japan, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu. Officially known simply as , Ise Jingū is a shrine complex composed of many Shinto shrines centered on two main shrines, and . The Inner ...
; later, married to
Emperor Kōgon was the first of the Emperors of Northern Court during the Period of the Northern and Southern Courts in Japan. His reign spanned the years from 1331 through 1333. Genealogy Before his ascension to the Nanboku-chō throne, his personal name (h ...
* Empress (''Chūgū''): Imperial Princess Junshi (珣子内親王) later Empress Dowager Shin-Muromachi-in (新室町院),
Emperor Go-Fushimi was the 93rd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1298 to 1301. This 13th-century sovereign was named after his father, Emperor Fushimi and ''go-'' (後), translates literally as ...
’s daughter ** Imperial Princess Sachiko (幸子内親王, b. 1335) *'' Nyōgo'': Fujiwara no Eishi (藤原栄子) also Anfuku-dono (安福殿),
Nijō Michihira was a Japanese ''kugyō'' (court noble) of the late Kamakura period. He was the son of regent Nijō Kanemoto. Michihira held the position of '' kampaku'' (chief advisor to the emperor) from 1316–1318 and from 1327–1330. He married a ...
’s daughter *Court lady: Fujiwara no Chikako (藤原親子) also Chūnagon-tenji (中納言典侍), Itsutsuji Munechika's daughter ** Eleventh Son: Imperial Prince Mitsuyoshi (満良親王) *Lady-in-waiting: Dainagon'nosuke, Kitabatake Moroshige's daughter *Lady-in-waiting: Shin-Ansatsu-tenji (新按察典侍), Jimyoin Yasufuji's daughter *Lady-in-waiting: Sochi-no-suke (帥典侍讃岐) *Court lady: Koto no Naishi (勾当内侍), Saionji Tsunafusa's daughter ** Princess *Court lady: '' Shōshō no Naishi'' (少将内侍), Sugawara no Arinaka's daughter **Imperial Prince Seijo (聖助法親王) – Head Priest of Onjō-ji *Court lady: Fujiwara (Ano) no ''Renshi'' (藤原廉子/阿野廉子) later Empress Dowager Shin-Taikenmon-in (新待賢門院, 1301–1359), Ano Kinkado's daughter ** Imperial Prince Tsunenaga (also Tsuneyoshi) (恒良親王) ** Imperial Prince Nariyoshi (also Narinaga) (成良親王) ** Imperial Prince Noriyoshi (義良親王) later become
Emperor Go-Murakami (1328 – March 29, 1368) was the 97th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession, and a member of the Southern Court during the Nanboku-chō period of rival courts. He reigned from September 18, 1339, until March 29, 13 ...
** Imperial Princess ''Shoshi'' (祥子内親王) – Saiō at
Ise Shrine The , located in Ise, Mie Prefecture of Japan, is a Shinto shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu. Officially known simply as , Ise Jingū is a shrine complex composed of many Shinto shrines centered on two main shrines, and . The Inner ...
1333–1336; later, nun in Hōan-ji ** Imperial Princess ''Ishi'' (惟子内親王) – nun in Imabayashi ** Speculated - Imperial Princess Noriko (憲子内親王) later Empress Dowager Shinsenyō-mon-in (新宣陽門院) *Court lady:
Minamoto no Chikako was the daughter of Kitabatake Morochika, and Imperial consort to Emperor Go-Daigo. She had earlier been Imperial consort to Go-Daigo's father, Emperor Go-Uda was the 91st emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. H ...
(源親子), Kitabatake Morochika's daughter ** Imperial Prince Moriyoshi (or Morinaga) (護良親王) – Head Priest of
Enryakuji is a Tendai monastery located on Mount Hiei in Ōtsu, overlooking Kyoto. It was first founded in 788 during the early Heian period (794–1185) by Saichō (767–822), also known as Dengyō Daishi, who introduced the Tendai sect of Mahayana ...
(Tendai-zasu, 天台座主) (Buddhist name: Prince Son'un, 尊雲法親王) ** Imperial Prince Kōshō (恒性, 1305–1333) – priest ** Imperial Princess ''Hishi'' (妣子内親王) – nun in Imabayashi ** princess – married to Konoe Mototsugu (divorced later) ** Imperial Prince Sonsho (尊性法親王) *Court lady: Fujiwara no ''Ishi''/Tameko (藤原為子, d. ), Nijō Tameyo's daughter ** Imperial
Prince Takanaga was the second son of Emperor Go-Daigo of Japan. He fought for his father in the Nanboku-chō Wars. Since the characters used to write "Takanaga" can also be read as "Takayoshi", the prince is sometimes known by that name as well. Appointed ''Se ...
(also Takayoshi) (尊良親王) ** Imperial Prince Munenaga (also Muneyoshi) (宗良親王) – Head Priest of
Enryakuji is a Tendai monastery located on Mount Hiei in Ōtsu, overlooking Kyoto. It was first founded in 788 during the early Heian period (794–1185) by Saichō (767–822), also known as Dengyō Daishi, who introduced the Tendai sect of Mahayana ...
(Tendai-zasu, 天台座主) (Buddhist name: Prince Sonchō, 尊澄法親王) ** Imperial Princess Tamako (瓊子内親王, 1316–1339) – nun ** Princess *'' Nyōgo'': Fujiwara no Jisshi (実子). Tōin Saneo's daughter ** Princess *Court lady: Fujiwara no Shushi/Moriko (藤原守子, 1303–1357), daughter of Tōin Saneyasu (洞院実泰) ** Imperial Prince Gen'en (玄円法親王, d.1348) – Head Priest of
Kōfuku-ji is a Buddhist temple that was once one of the powerful Seven Great Temples in the city of Nara, Japan. The temple is the national headquarters of the Hossō school. History Kōfuku-ji has its origin as a temple that was established in 669 b ...
** Imperial Prince Saikei (最恵法親王) – priest in Myōhō-in *Princess: Imperial Princess Kenshi (憙子内親王, 1270–1324) later Empress Dowager Shōkeimon'in (昭慶門院), Emperor Kameyama’s daughter ** Mumon Gensen (無文元選, 1323–1390) – founder of Hōkō-ji (Shizuoka) *Court lady: Fujiwara (Nijo) Michiko (二条道子) also ''Gon-no-Dainagon no Sammi no Tsubone'' (権大納言三位局, d. 1351) later Reisho-in (霊照院), Nijō Tamemichi's daughter ** Imperial Prince Hōnin (法仁法親王, 1325–1352) – priest in
Ninna-ji is the head temple of the Omuro school of the Shingon Sect of Buddhism. Located in western Kyoto, Japan, it was first founded in AD 888 by Emperor Uda, and was later reconstructed in the 17th century. It is part of the Historic Monuments of A ...
** Prince Kaneyoshi (also Kanenaga) (懐良親王, 1326–1383) – Seisei Taishōgun (征西大将軍) 1336–? ** princess *Court lady: ''Ichijō no Tsubone'' (一条局) later Yūgimon'in (遊義門院), Saionji Sanetoshi's daughter ** Imperial Prince Tokiyoshi (also Yoyoshi) (世良親王) ( – 1330) ** Imperial Prince Jōson (静尊法親王) (Imperial Prince Keison, 恵尊法親王) – priest in Shōgoin (聖護院) ** Imperial Princess ''Kinshi'' (欣子内親王) – nun in Imabayashi *Court lady: ''Shōnagon no Naishi'' (少納言内侍), Shijō Takasuke's daughter ** Sonshin (尊真) – priest *'' Nyōgo'': Dainagon-no-tsubone (大納言局), Ogimachi Saneakira's daughter ** Imperial Princess Naoko (瑜子内親王) *'' Nyōgo'': Saemon-no-kami-no-tsubone (左衛門督局), Nijō Tametada's daughter ** Nun in Imabayashi *Court lady: ''Gon-no-Chūnagon no Tsubone'' (権中納言局), Sanjō Kinyasu's daughter ** Imperial Princess Sadako (貞子内親王) *'' Nyōgo'': Yoshida Sadafusa's daughter *'' Nyōgo'': Bōmon-no-tsubone (坊門局), Bomon Kiyotada's daughter ** Princess (Yōdō?) *'' Nyōgo'': Horikawa Mototomo's daughter ** Princess *'' Nyōgo'': Minamoto-no-Yasuko (源康子) also Asukai-no-tsubone (飛鳥井局) later Enseimon'in Harima (延政門院播磨), Minamoto-no-Yasutoki's daughter *'' Nyōgo'': Wakamizu-no-tsubone (若水局), Minamoto-no-Yasutoki's daughter *'' Nyōgo'': Horiguchi Sadayoshi's daughter ** daughter married Yoshimizu Munemasa *Court lady: ''Konoe no Tsubone'' (近衛局) later Shōkunmon'in (昭訓門院) ** Prince Tomoyoshi (知良王) *(unknown women) ** Yōdō (d. 1398) – 5th Head Nun of Tōkei-ji ** Rokujō Arifusa's wife ** Ryusen Ryosai (竜泉令淬, d.1366) ** Kenkō (賢光) Go-Daigo had some other princesses from some court ladies.


Kugyō

'' Kugyō'' (公卿) is a collective term for the very few most powerful men attached to the court of the
Emperor of Japan The Emperor of Japan is the monarch and the head of the Imperial Family of Japan. Under the Constitution of Japan, he is defined as the symbol of the Japanese state and the unity of the Japanese people, and his position is derived from "the ...
in pre- Meiji eras. Even during those years in which the court's actual influence outside the palace walls was minimal, the hierarchic organization persisted. In general, this elite group included only three to four men at a time. These were hereditary courtiers whose experience and background would have brought them to the pinnacle of a life's career. During Go-Daigo's reign, this apex of the '' Daijō-kan included: * '' Kampaku'',
Nijō Michihira was a Japanese ''kugyō'' (court noble) of the late Kamakura period. He was the son of regent Nijō Kanemoto. Michihira held the position of '' kampaku'' (chief advisor to the emperor) from 1316–1318 and from 1327–1330. He married a ...
, 1316–1318 * ''Kampaku'', Ichijō Uchitsune, 1318–1323 * ''Kampaku'',
Kujō Fusazane , son of regent Tadanori with Fujiwara Aritoki's daughter and adopted son of Moronori, was a ''kugyō'' or Japanese court noble of the Kamakura period (1185–1333). He held a regent position ( kampaku) from 1323 to 1324. Nijo Haruko, a daughter ...
, 1323–1324 * ''Kampaku'', Takatsukasa Fuyuhira, 1324–1327 * ''Kampaku'', Nijō Michihira, 1327–1330 * ''Kampaku'', Konoe Tsunetada, 1330 * ''Kampaku'', Takatsukasa Fuyunori, 1330–1333 * '' Sadaijin'' * ''
Udaijin was a government position in Japan in the late Nara and Heian periods. The position was consolidated in the Taihō Code of 702. The Asuka Kiyomihara Code of 689 marks the initial appearance of the ''udaijin'' in the context of a central administ ...
'' * '' Naidaijin'' * ''
Dainagon was a counselor of the first rank in the Imperial court of Japan. The role dates from the 7th century. This advisory position remained a part of the Imperial court from the 8th century until the Meiji period in the 19th century.Nussbaum, "Dainag ...
''


Eras of Go-Daigo's reign

The years of Go-Daigo's reign are more specifically identified by more than one
era name A regnal year is a year of the reign of a sovereign, from the Latin ''regnum'' meaning kingdom, rule. Regnal years considered the date as an ordinal, not a cardinal number. For example, a monarch could have a first year of rule, a second year of ...
or ''
nengō The , also known as , is the first of the two elements that identify years in the Japanese era calendar scheme. The second element is a number which indicates the year number within the era (with the first year being ""), followed by the literal ...
''. Emperor Go-Daigo's eight era name changes are mirrored in number only in the reign of Emperor Go-Hanazono, who also reigned through eight era name changes.Titsingh, :Pre''-Nanboku-chō'' court * '' Bunpō'' (1317–1319) * '' Gen'ō'' (1319–1321) * '' Genkō'' (1321–1324) * '' Shōchū'' (1324–1326) * ''
Karyaku , also romanized as Kareki, was a after ''Shōchū'' and before '' Gentoku.'' This period spanned the years from April 1326 through August 1329. The reigning Emperor was . Change of era * 1326 : The new era name was created to mark an event or ...
'' (1326–1329) * '' Gentoku'' (1329–1331) * '' Genkō'' (1331–1334) * ''
Kenmu was a Japanese era name of the Northern Court during the Era of Northern and Southern Courts after '' Shōkei'' and before '' Ryakuō.'' Although Kemmu is understood by the Southern Court as having begun at the same time, the era was construed t ...
'' (1334–1336) :''Nanboku-chō'' southern court * Eras as reckoned by legitimate sovereign's Court (as determined by Meiji rescript) ** ''
Engen Engen (延元) was a Japanese era of the Southern Court during the Era of Northern and Southern Courts after Kenmu and before Kōkoku, lasting from February 1336 to April 1340.Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "''Engen''" i ''Japan encyclop ...
'' (1336–1340) :''Nanboku-chō'' northern Court * Eras as reckoned by pretender sovereign's Court (as determined by Meiji rescript) ** '' Shōkei'' (1332–1338) ** ''
Ryakuō was a Japanese era of the Northern Court during the Era of Northern and Southern Courts, lasting from August 1338 to April 1342. The emperor in Kyoto was . Go-Kōgon's Southern Court rival in Yoshino during this time-frame was . Nanboku-chō ...
'' (1338–1342)


In popular culture

Emperor Go-Daigo appears in the alternate history novel '' Romanitas'' by
Sophia McDougall Sophia McDougall (born 1979) is a British novelist, playwright, and poet. Life and career McDougall is best known internationally as the author of alternate history novels published by Orion Publishing Group and based on the premise that the R ...
.


See also

*
Emperor of Japan The Emperor of Japan is the monarch and the head of the Imperial Family of Japan. Under the Constitution of Japan, he is defined as the symbol of the Japanese state and the unity of the Japanese people, and his position is derived from "the ...
*
List of Emperors of Japan This list of emperors of Japan presents the traditional order of succession. Records of the reigns are compiled according to the traditional Japanese calendar. In the '' nengō'' system which has been in use since the late-seventh century, years a ...
*
Imperial cult An imperial cult is a form of state religion in which an emperor or a dynasty of emperors (or rulers of another title) are worshipped as demigods or deities. "Cult" here is used to mean "worship", not in the modern pejorative sense. The cult may ...
* Yoshimizu Shrine *
Yoshino Shrine Yoshino Shrine (吉野神宮, ''Yoshino jingū'') is a Shinto shrine located in Yoshino, Yoshino District, Nara Prefecture, Japan. Prefecture, Japan. It was founded in 1892. The main kami enshrined here is Emperor Go-Daigo. The shrine's main fe ...


Notes


References

* Ponsonby-Fane, Richard Arthur Brabazon. (1959)
''The Imperial House of Japan''.
Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society
OCLC 194887
* Titsingh, Isaac. (1834). '' Nihon Ōdai Ichiran''; ou
''Annales des empereurs du Japon''.
Paris: Royal Asiatic Society, Oriental Translation Fund of Great Britain and Ireland
OCLC 5850691
* Varley, H. Paul. (1980)
''Jinnō Shōtōki: A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns''.
New York: Columbia University Press.
OCLC 59145842


External links

* Kansai Digital Archives

{{DEFAULTSORT:Go-Daigo Japanese emperors 1288 births 1339 deaths Emperor Go-Daigo Emperor Go-Daigo Emperor Go-Daigo Emperor Go-Daigo 13th-century Japanese people 14th-century Japanese monarchs Deified Japanese people