Emperor Go-Kogon
Encyclopedia
Emperor Go-Kōgon (March 23, 1338 – March 12, 1374) was the 4th of the Ashikaga Pretenders
during the Period of the Northern and Southern Courts
. According to pre-Meiji scholars, his reign spanned the years from 1352 through 1371.
This Nanboku-chō
"sovereign" was named after his father Emperor Kōgon
and go- (後), translates literally as "later;" and thus, he may be called the "Later Emperor Kōgon". The Japanese word "go" has also been translated to mean the "second one;" and in some older sources, this would-be emperor may be identified as "Kōgon, the second", or as "Kōgon II."
He was the second son of the Northern Pretender
Emperor Kōgon
, and brother of his predecessor, Emperor Sukō
. His mother was Hideko (秀子), daughter of Sanjō Kinhide (三条公秀)
from September 25, 1352 to April 9, 1371.
In 1351, Ashikaga Takauji
briefly returned to the allegiance of the Southern Dynasty, causing the Southern Court to briefly consolidate control of the Imperial Line. However, this peace fell apart in 1352. On this occasion, the Southern Court abducted Retired (Northern) Emperors Emperor Kōgon
and Emperor Kōmyō
as well as Emperor Sukō
and the Crown Prince, Imperial Prince Naohito, the son of Emperor Kōgon, from Kyoto
to Yoshino, producing a state of affairs in which there was no Emperor
in Kyoto.
Because of this, Imperial Prince Iyahito became emperor in 1352 with the support of Ashikaga Yoshiakira
.
During this period, the Era of the Northern and Southern Courts
, because of the antagonism between the two competing dynasties, public order in Kyoto was disturbed. The Southern Court repeatedly recaptured Kyoto. Emperor Go-Kōgon was forced to repeatedly flee from Kyoto to Ōmi Province
and other places. Around the time that Ashikaga Yoshimitsu
was named Shōgun
(1368), the Southern Courts power weakened, and order was restored to Kyoto. Also around this time, the Emperor's authority began to show its weakness.
On April 9, 1371, he abdicated in favor of his son, who became the Northern Pretender
Emperor Go-En'yū
. He continued to rule as Cloistered Emperor
until he died of illness on March 12, 1374. He is enshrined with other emperors at the imperial tomb called Fukakusa no kita no misasagi (深草北陵) in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto
.
Northern Court (Japan)
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...
during the Period of the Northern and Southern Courts
Nanboku-cho
The , spanning from 1336 to 1392, was a period that occurred during the formative years of the Muromachi bakufu of Japan's history.During this period, there existed a Northern Imperial Court, established by Ashikaga Takauji in Kyoto, and a Southern Imperial Court, established by Emperor Go-Daigo in...
. According to pre-Meiji scholars, his reign spanned the years from 1352 through 1371.
This Nanboku-chō
Nanboku-cho
The , spanning from 1336 to 1392, was a period that occurred during the formative years of the Muromachi bakufu of Japan's history.During this period, there existed a Northern Imperial Court, established by Ashikaga Takauji in Kyoto, and a Southern Imperial Court, established by Emperor Go-Daigo in...
"sovereign" was named after his father Emperor Kōgon
Emperor Kōgon
Emperor Kōgon was the 1st of Ashikaga Pretenders during the Period of the Northern and Southern Courts in Japan...
and go- (後), translates literally as "later;" and thus, he may be called the "Later Emperor Kōgon". The Japanese word "go" has also been translated to mean the "second one;" and in some older sources, this would-be emperor may be identified as "Kōgon, the second", or as "Kōgon II."
Genealogy
His personal name was Iyahito (弥仁).He was the second son of the Northern Pretender
Northern Court (Japan)
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...
Emperor Kōgon
Emperor Kōgon
Emperor Kōgon was the 1st of Ashikaga Pretenders during the Period of the Northern and Southern Courts in Japan...
, and brother of his predecessor, Emperor Sukō
Emperor Suko
) was the third of Ashikaga Pretenders during the Period of the Northern and Southern Courts in Japan. According to pre-Meiji scholars, his reign spanned the years from 1348 through 1351.-Genealogy:...
. His mother was Hideko (秀子), daughter of Sanjō Kinhide (三条公秀)
- Lady-in-waiting: Nakako (仲子), daughter of Hirohashi (Fujiwara) Kanetsuna (広橋（藤原）兼綱)
- Second son: Imperial Prince Ohito (緒仁親王) (Emperor Go-En'yūEmperor Go-En'yuwas the 5th of the Ashikaga Pretenders during the period of two courts. According to pre-Meiji scholars, his reign spanned the years from 1371 through 1382....
) - Fifth son: Prince Eijo (永助入道親王) (Buddhist Lay Priest)
- Twelfth son: Prince Gyōnin (尭仁法親王) (Buddhist Priest)
- Second son: Imperial Prince Ohito (緒仁親王) (Emperor Go-En'yū
- Consort: Uemon-no-Suke no Tsubone (右衛門佐局)
- First son: Imperial Prince Ryōnin (亮仁入道親王) (Buddhist Lay Priest)
- Seventh son: Prince Kakuzō (覚増法親王) (Buddhist Priest)
- Consort: Daughter of Hōin Chōkai (法印長快)
- First daughter: Imperial Princess Haruko (治子内親王)
- Fourth son: Prince Kakuei (覚叡法親王) (Buddhist Priest)
- Eighth son: Prince Dōen (道円入道親王) (Buddhist Priest)
- Eleventh son: Prince Shōjo (聖助法親王) (Buddhist Priest)
- Consort: Daughter of Tachibana no Mochishige (橘以繁)
- Tenth son: Prince Myōshō (明承法親王) (Buddhist Priest)
- (from unknown women)
- Third son: Prince Gyōjō (行助入道親王) (Buddhist Lay Priest)
- Fifth son: Prince Kanshu (寛守法親王) (Buddhist Priest)
- Thirteenth son: Prince Kankyō (寛教入道親王) (Buddhist Lay Priest)
- Second daughter: Imperial Princess Kenshi (見子内親王)
- Daughter: Shūnin (秀仁) (Buddhist Priestess)
Events of Go-Kōgon's life
In his own lifetime, Go-Kōgon and those around him believed that he occupied the Chrysanthemum ThroneChrysanthemum Throne
The is the English term used to identify the throne of the Emperor of Japan. The term can refer to very specific seating, such as the takamikura throne in the Shishin-den at Kyoto Imperial Palace....
from September 25, 1352 to April 9, 1371.
In 1351, Ashikaga Takauji
Ashikaga Takauji
was the founder and first shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate. His rule began in 1338, beginning the Muromachi period of Japan, and ended with his death in 1358...
briefly returned to the allegiance of the Southern Dynasty, causing the Southern Court to briefly consolidate control of the Imperial Line. However, this peace fell apart in 1352. On this occasion, the Southern Court abducted Retired (Northern) Emperors Emperor Kōgon
Emperor Kōgon
Emperor Kōgon was the 1st of Ashikaga Pretenders during the Period of the Northern and Southern Courts in Japan...
and Emperor Kōmyō
Emperor Komyo
was the 2nd of the Ashikaga Pretenders, although he was actually the first to be supported by the Ashikaga Bakufu. According to pre-Meiji scholars, his reign spanned the years from 1336 through 1348.-Genealogy:...
as well as Emperor Sukō
Emperor Suko
) was the third of Ashikaga Pretenders during the Period of the Northern and Southern Courts in Japan. According to pre-Meiji scholars, his reign spanned the years from 1348 through 1351.-Genealogy:...
and the Crown Prince, Imperial Prince Naohito, the son of Emperor Kōgon, from Kyoto
Kyoto
is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:...
to Yoshino, producing a state of affairs in which there was no Emperor
Emperor of Japan
The Emperor of Japan is, according to the 1947 Constitution of Japan, "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people." He is a ceremonial figurehead under a form of constitutional monarchy and is head of the Japanese Imperial Family with functions as head of state. He is also the highest...
in Kyoto.
Because of this, Imperial Prince Iyahito became emperor in 1352 with the support of Ashikaga Yoshiakira
Ashikaga Yoshiakira
was the 2nd shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1358 to 1367 during the Muromachi period of Japan. Yoshiakira was the son of the founder and first shogun of the Muromachi shogunate, Ashikaga Takauji....
.
During this period, the Era of the Northern and Southern Courts
Nanboku-cho
The , spanning from 1336 to 1392, was a period that occurred during the formative years of the Muromachi bakufu of Japan's history.During this period, there existed a Northern Imperial Court, established by Ashikaga Takauji in Kyoto, and a Southern Imperial Court, established by Emperor Go-Daigo in...
, because of the antagonism between the two competing dynasties, public order in Kyoto was disturbed. The Southern Court repeatedly recaptured Kyoto. Emperor Go-Kōgon was forced to repeatedly flee from Kyoto to Ōmi Province
Omi Province
is an old province of Japan, which today comprises Shiga Prefecture. It was one of the provinces that made up the Tōsandō circuit. It is nicknamed as .Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, is located at the center of the province...
and other places. Around the time that Ashikaga Yoshimitsu
Ashikaga Yoshimitsu
was the 3rd shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate who ruled from 1368 to 1394 during the Muromachi period of Japan. Yoshimitsu was the son of the second shogun Ashikaga Yoshiakira....
was named Shōgun
Shogun
A was one of the hereditary military dictators of Japan from 1192 to 1867. In this period, the shoguns, or their shikken regents , were the de facto rulers of Japan though they were nominally appointed by the emperor...
(1368), the Southern Courts power weakened, and order was restored to Kyoto. Also around this time, the Emperor's authority began to show its weakness.
On April 9, 1371, he abdicated in favor of his son, who became the Northern Pretender
Northern Court (Japan)
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...
Emperor Go-En'yū
Emperor Go-En'yu
was the 5th of the Ashikaga Pretenders during the period of two courts. According to pre-Meiji scholars, his reign spanned the years from 1371 through 1382....
. He continued to rule as Cloistered Emperor
Cloistered rule
The Insei system , or cloistered rule, was a specific form of government in Japan during the Heian period. In this bifurcated system, an Emperor abdicated, but he retained power and influence. The emperors who withdrew to live in monasteries continued to act in ways which were intended to...
until he died of illness on March 12, 1374. He is enshrined with other emperors at the imperial tomb called Fukakusa no kita no misasagi (深草北陵) in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto
Fushimi-ku, Kyoto
is one of the eleven wards in the city of Kyoto, in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. Famous places in Fushimi include the Fushimi Inari Shrine, with thousands of torii lining the paths up and down a mountain; Fushimi Castle, originally built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, with its rebuilt towers and gold-lined...
.
Eras of Go-Kōgon's reign
The years of Go-Kōgon's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.- Nanboku-chō Southern court
- Eras as reckoned by legitimate Court (as determined by Meiji rescript)
Shoheiwas a Japanese era name of the Southern Court during the Era of Northern and Southern Courts after Kōkoku and before Kentoku. This period spanned the years from December 1346 to July 1370. The Southern Court emperors in Yoshino were and...
(1346–1370)
(1370–1372)
- Nanboku-chō Northern court
- Eras as reckoned by pretender Court (as determined by Meiji rescript)
- KannōKanno-People:* Aya Kanno, manga artist* Naoe Kanno, a fictional character from the anime/manga Strike Witches* Takeshi Kanno, Japanese writer* Yoko Kanno, composer and musicianKannō may refer to:, Japanese era from 1350 to 1352...
(1350–1352) - BunnaBunna, also romanized as Bunwa, was a Japanese era name of the Northern Court during the Era of Northern and Southern Courts after Kannō and before Enbun. This period spanned the years from September 1352 through March 1356. The emperor in Kyoto was...
(1352–1356) - Embun (1356–1361)
- Kōan (1361–1362)
- JōjiJojiwas a Japanese era name of the Northern Court during the Era of Northern and Southern Courts after Kōan and before Ōan. This period spanned the years from September 1362 through February 1368. The emperor in Kyoto was...
(1362–1368) - ŌanOan, also romanized as Ō-an, was a Japanese era name of the Northern Court during the Era of Northern and Southern Courts after Jōji and before Eiwa. This period spanned the years from February 1368 through February 1375...
(1368–1375)
See also
- Emperor of JapanEmperor of JapanThe Emperor of Japan is, according to the 1947 Constitution of Japan, "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people." He is a ceremonial figurehead under a form of constitutional monarchy and is head of the Japanese Imperial Family with functions as head of state. He is also the highest...
- List of Emperors of Japan
- Imperial cultImperial cultAn imperial cult is a form of state religion in which an emperor, or a dynasty of emperors , are worshipped as messiahs, demigods or deities. "Cult" here is used to mean "worship", not in the modern pejorative sense...