was the 88th

emperor of Japan The emperor of Japan is the hereditary monarch and head of state of Japan. The emperor is defined by the Constitution of Japan as the symbol of the Japanese state and the unity of the Japanese people, his position deriving from "the will of ...

, according to the traditional order of succession. This reign spanned the years 1242 through 1246. This 13th-century

sovereign ''Sovereign'' is a title that can be applied to the highest leader in various categories. The word is borrowed from Old French , which is ultimately derived from the Latin">-4; we might wonder whether there's a point at which it's appropriate to ...

was named after the 9th-century

Emperor Saga was the 52nd emperor of Japan, Emperor Saga, Saganoyamanoe Imperial Mausoleum, Imperial Household Agency according to the traditional order of succession. Saga's reign lasted from 809 to 823. Traditional narrative Saga was the second son of ...

and ''go-'' (後), translates literally as "later"; and thus, he is sometimes called the "Later Emperor Saga". The Japanese word ''go'' has also been translated to mean the "second one;" and in some older sources, this emperor may be identified as "Saga, the second", or as "Saga II".

Genealogy

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 (his ''imina'') was . He was the second son of Emperor Tsuchimikado, and second cousin of his predecessor

Emperor Shijō (17 March 1231 – 10 February 1242) was the 87th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. This reign spanned the years 1232 through 1242. Genealogy Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name ...

. *Empress: Saionji (Fujiwara) no Yoshi-ko (西園寺（藤原）姞子) Later Ōmiya-in (大宮院), Saionji Saneuji’s daughter **Fourth son: Imperial Prince Hisahito (久仁親王) later

Emperor Go-Fukakusa was the 89th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. This reign spanned the years 1246 through 1260. This 13th-century sovereign was named after the 9th-century Emperor Ninmyō and ''go-'' (後), translates literal ...

**First daughter: Imperial Princess Osako (綜子内親王; 1247-1269）later Gekkamon-in (月華門院)Emergence of Japanese Kingship, p5 **Seventh son: Imperial Prince Tsunehito (恒仁親王) later

Emperor Kameyama was the 90th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1260 through 1274. Genealogy Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name (his ''imina'') was . He was ...

**Eleventh son: Imperial Prince Masataka (雅尊親王; 1254-1256) **Thirteenth son: Imperial Prince Sadayoshi (貞良親王; 1256-1260) **Princess (b.1260) *Consort: Imperial Princess Taishi (体子内親王; 1231-1302) later Shinsenmon’in (神仙門院),

Emperor Go-Horikawa (22 March 1212 – 31 August 1234) was the 86th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1221 through 1232. This 13th-century sovereign was named after the 11th-century Emperor Horika ...

’s daughter ** Princess (d.1281) *Court Lady: Saionji (Fujiwara) Kimiko (西園寺（藤原）公子), Saionji Kintsune's daughter ** Son: Imperial Prince Priest jijo (慈助法親王; 1254-1295） ** Daughter: Imperial Princess Etsuko (悦子内親王; 1260-1332）later Enseimon’in (延政門院) *Lady-in-waiting: Taira no Muneko (平棟子), Taira no Munemoto's daughter **Third son: Imperial Prince Munetaka (宗尊親王) *Handmaid?: Fujiwara Hiroko (藤原博子), Fujiwara Takatoki's daughter **Eighth son: Imperial Prince Priest Kakujo (覚助法親王; 1247-1336) **Princess **Sixth daughter: Imperial Princess Ekishi (懌子内親王; 1262-1294) later Gojo’in (五条院) *Court Lady: Fujiwara Fujiko (藤原藤子), Shijo Takahira's daughter ** Son: Imperial Prince Priest Saijo (最助法親王; 1253-1293） *Court Lady: Mikushige-dono (御匣殿), Sanjo Kinfusa's daughter ** Son: Imperial Prince Priest Chujo (忠助法親王; d.1290) ** Sixth Son: Imperial Prince Priest Shōjo (性助法親王; 1247-1282） *Court Lady: Anegakoji Saneyo's daughter ** Son: Imperial Prince Priest Jōjo (浄助法親王; 1253-1280） *Court Lady: Emontoku-no-tsubone (右衛門督局), Ichijo Yoshiyasu's daughter ** Son: Imperial Prince Priest Enjo (円助法親王; 1236-1282） *Court Lady: Nijo-no-Tsubone (二条局), Fujiwara Toshimori's daughter ** Second Daughter: Imperial Princess Yasuko (愷子内親王; 1249-1284） *Court Lady: Ichijo-dono-no-tsubone (一条殿局),

Fujiwara no Kanefusa was the fourth son of the Japanese Sessho and Kampaku, regent Fujiwara no Tadamichi, and Kaga, daughter of Fujiwara no Nakamitsu. His brothers were Fujiwara no Motozane, Motozane (regent), Fujiwara no Motofusa, Motofusa (regent), Fujiwara no Kan ...

’s daughter **Son: Imperial Prince Priest Nin’e (仁恵法親王; 1244-1298） *Court Lady: Dainagon-no-Tsubone (大納言局), Nakanoin Michikata's daughter ** Prince (1243) *Court Lady: Kujō Yoshihira's daughter *Court Lady: Minamoto no Yorimasa's granddaughter ** Priest Shojo *Court Lady: Fujiwara clan's descendant ** Second Son: Kōhō Ken'nichi (高峰顕日; 1241-1316)

Events of Go-Saga's life

He ruled from 21 February 1242, to 16 February 1246. When Emperor Tsuchimikado moved to

Tosa Province was a province of Japan in the area of southern Shikoku. Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "''Tosa''" in . Tosa bordered on Awa to the northeast, and Iyo to the northwest. Its abbreviated form name was . In terms of the Gokishichidō syst ...

(on

Shikoku is the smallest of the List of islands of Japan#Main islands, four main islands of Japan. It is long and between at its widest. It has a population of 3.8 million, the least populated of Japan's four main islands. It is south of Honshu ...

), he was raised by his mother's side of the family. Because of the sudden death of

at the age of 10, the question of succession arose. Because the expectations of the court nobility and the

Bakufu , officially , was the title of the military rulers of Japan during most of the period spanning from 1185 to 1868. Nominally appointed by the Emperor, shoguns were usually the de facto rulers of the country, except during parts of the Kamak ...

conflicted, the issue was bitterly contested.

Kujō Michiie Kujō Michiie (九条道家) (28 July 1193 — 1 April 1252) was a Japanese regent in the 13th century. He was the father of Kujō Yoritsune and grandson of Kujō Kanezane (also known as Fujiwara no Kanezane). He was the father of Norizane an ...

and the court nobility supported Prince Tadanari (忠成王), a son of Retired Emperor Juntoku, but the ''

shikken The was a senior government post held by members of the Hōjō clan, officially a regent of the shogunate. From 1199 to 1333, during the Kamakura period, the ''shikken'' served as the head of the ''bakufu'' (shogun's government). This era was ref ...

Hōjō Yasutoki Hōjō Yasutoki (; 1183 – July 14, 1242) was the third ''shikken'' (regent) of the Kamakura shogunate in Japan. He strengthened the political system of the Hōjō regency. Life He was the eldest son of second ''shikken'' Hōjō Yoshitoki. A ...

was opposed to the sons of Juntoku because of his involvement in 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 overthro ...

. Michiie instead supported Tsuchimikado's son Prince Kunihito as a neutral figure for Emperor. During these negotiations, there was a vacancy on the throne of 11 days. * 11 February 1242 ('' Ninji 3, 10th day of the 1st month''): In the 10th year of Shijō''-tennō'' 's reign (四条天皇10年), the emperor died suddenly; and despite a dispute over who should follow him as sovereign, contemporary scholars then construed that the succession (''senso'') was received by the second son of former Emperor Tsuchimikado. * 19 April 1242 (''Ninji 3, 18th day of the 3rd month''): Emperor Go-Saga is said to have acceded to the throne (''sokui''). In 1242, Prince Kunihito became emperor. In 1246 he abdicated to his son,

, beginning his reign as cloistered emperor. In 1259, he compelled

to abdicate to his younger brother,

. Imperial Prince Munetaka became ''

shōgun , officially , was the title of the military rulers of Japan during most of the period spanning from 1185 to 1868. Nominally appointed by the Emperor, shoguns were usually the de facto rulers of the country, except during parts of the Kamak ...

'' instead of the Hōjō regents. Henceforth, the ''shōguns'' of the Kamakura Bakufu came from the imperial house. Still, the Hōjō regents increased their control of the shogunate, setting up the system of rule by regents. The descendants of his two sons contested the throne between them, forming into two lines, the Jimyōin-tō (Go-Fukakusa's descendants) and the Daikakuji-tō (Kameyama's descendants). Their lines would eventually lead to the split between the Northern and Southern Courts. Go-Saga misasagi

In 1272, Go-Saga died. Go-Saga's final resting place is designated as an Imperial mausoleum (''misasagi'') at Saga no minami no ''Misasagi'' at

Tenryū-ji , formally known as , is the head temple of the Tenryū-ji branch of the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism, located in Susukinobaba-chō, Ukyō Ward, Kyoto, Japan. The temple was founded by Ashikaga Takauji in 1339, primarily to venerate Gautama Bud ...

in Kyoto.

Kugyō

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 hereditary monarch and head of state of Japan. The emperor is defined by the Constitution of Japan as the symbol of the Japanese state and the unity of the Japanese people, his position deriving from "the will of ...

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-Saga's reign, this apex of the ''

Daijō-kan The , also known as the Great Council of State, was (i) (''Daijō-kan'') the highest organ of Japan's premodern Imperial government under the Ritsuryō legal system during and after the Nara period or (ii) (''Dajō-kan'') the highest organ of Jap ...

'' included: * '' Kampaku'',

Konoe Kanetsune , son of Iezane, was a ''Kugyō'' or Japanese court noble of the early Kamakura period. He held regent positions as follows: * sesshō (1237–1242) * kampaku (1242) * sesshō (1247–1252) With a daughter of Kujō Michiie Kujō Michiie (� ...

, 1242 * ''Kampaku'', Nijō Yoshizane, 1242–1246 * ''Kampaku'', Ichijō Sanetsune, 1246 * ''

Sadaijin The ''Kenkyusha's New Japanese-English Dictionary'', Kenkyusha Limited, was a government position in Japan during the Asuka to Meiji era. The Asuka Kiyomihara Code of 689 marks the initial appearance of the ''Sadaijin'' in the context of a cent ...

'' * ''

Udaijin was a government position in Japan during the Asuka to Meiji era. The position was consolidated in the Taihō Code of 701. The Asuka Kiyomihara Code of 689 marks the initial appearance of the ''Udaijin'' in the context of a central administrat ...

'' * ''

Nadaijin The , literally meaning "Inner Minister", was an ancient office in the Japanese Imperial Court. Its role, rank and authority varied throughout the pre- Meiji period of Japanese history, but in general remained as a significant post under the Ta ...

'' * ''

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-Saga's reign

The years of Go-saga'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 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 rule, a t ...

or ''

nengō The or , 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 "", meaning "origin, basis"), followed b ...

''.Titsingh, p. 245. * '' Ninji'' (1240–1243) * '' Kangen'' (1243–1247)

Ancestry

Notes

References

* Ponsonby-Fane, Richard Arthur Brabazon. (1959)
''The Imperial House of Japan.''
Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society
OCLC 194887
* Titsingh, Isaac, ed. (1834). iyun-sai Rin-siyo/Hayashi Gahō, 1652">Hayashi_Gahō.html" ;"title="iyun-sai Rin-siyo/ iyun-sai Rin-siyo/Hayashi Gahō, 1652 ''Nipon o daï itsi ran">Hayashi Gahō">iyun-sai Rin-siyo/Hayashi Gahō, 1652">Hayashi_Gahō.html" ;"title="iyun-sai Rin-siyo/Hayashi Gahō">iyun-sai Rin-siyo/Hayashi Gahō, 1652 ''Nipon o daï itsi ran; ou
Annales des empereurs du Japon.
' Paris: Royal Asiatic Society">Oriental Translation Fund of Great Britain and Ireland. * Varley, H. Paul , ed. (1980). Kitabatake Chikafusa, 1359">Kitabatake_Chikafusa.html" ;"title="Kitabatake Chikafusa">Kitabatake Chikafusa, 1359 ''Jinnō Shōtōki'' (
A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns: Jinnō Shōtōki
'' New York:

Columbia University Press Columbia University Press is a university press based in New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's la ...

. {{DEFAULTSORT:Go-Saga Emperors of Japan 1220 births 1272 deaths

Emperor Go-Saga was the 88th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. This reign spanned the years Kamakura period, 1242 through 1246. This 13th-century monarch, sovereign was named after the 9th-century Emperor Saga and ''go-'' (後 ...

1240s in Japan 13th-century Japanese monarchs Sons of Japanese emperors

Genealogy

Events of Go-Saga's life

Kugyō

Eras of Go-Saga's reign

Ancestry

See also

Notes

References