Emperor Go-Saga
Encyclopedia
Emperor Go-Saga (April 1, 1220 – March 17, 1272) was the 88th emperor
of Japan
, according to the traditional order of succession. This reign spanned the years 1242 through 1246.
This 13th century sovereign
was named after the 8th century Emperor Saga
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."
, his personal name (his imina) was .
He was the second son of Emperor Tsuchimikado
, and second cousin of his predecessor Emperor Shijō
.
When Emperor Tsuchimikado moved to Tosa Province
(on Shikoku
), he was raised by his mother's side of the family.
Because of the sudden death of Emperor Shijō at the age of 10, the question of succession arose. Because the expectations of the court nobility and the Bakufu
conflicted, the issue was bitterly contested. Kujō Michiie and the court nobility supported Prince Tadanari (忠成王), a son of Retired Emperor Juntoku
, but the shikken
Hōjō Yasutoki
was opposed to the sons of Juntoku because of his involvement in the Jōkyū War
. Michiie instead supported Tsuchimikado's son Prince Kunihito as a neutral figure for Emperor. During the pendency of these negotiations, there was a vacancy on the throne of 11 days.
In 1242, Prince Kunihito became emperor. In 1246 he abdicated to his son, Emperor Go-Fukakusa
, beginning his reign as cloistered emperor
. In 1259, he compelled Emperor Go-Fukakusa
to abdicate to his younger brother, Emperor Kameyama
. Imperial Prince Munetaka
became shōgun
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).
In 1272, Go-Saga died.
Go-Saga's final resting place is designated as an Imperial mausoleum (misasagi) at Saa no minami no Misasagi in Kyoto.
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 included:
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...
of Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, according to the traditional order of succession. This reign spanned the years 1242 through 1246.
This 13th century sovereign
Sovereign
A sovereign is the supreme lawmaking authority within its jurisdiction.Sovereign may also refer to:*Monarch, the sovereign of a monarchy*Sovereign Bank, banking institution in the United States*Sovereign...
was named after the 8th century Emperor Saga
Emperor Saga
was the 52nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Saga's reign spanned the years from 809 through 823.-Traditional narrative:...
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 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....
, his personal name (his imina) was .
He was the second son of Emperor Tsuchimikado
Emperor Tsuchimikado
was the 83rd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Tsuchimikado's reign spanned the years from 1198 through 1210.-Genealogy:Before Tsuchimikado's ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name was ....
, and second cousin of his predecessor Emperor Shijō
Emperor Shijo
was the 87th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. This reign spanned the years 1232 through 1242.-Genealogy:...
.
- Empress: Saionji (Fujiwara) no Yoshi-koFujiwara no KitsushiFujiwara no Kitsushi was an Empress consort of Japan. She was the consort of Emperor Go-Saga of Japan.- Sources :...
(西園寺（藤原）姞子)- Fourth son: Imperial Prince Hisahito (久仁親王) (Emperor Go-FukakusaEmperor Go-Fukakusawas the 89th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. This reign spanned the years 1246 through 1260....
) - First daughter: Imperial Princess Osako (綜子内親王)
- Seventh son: Imperial Prince Tsunehito (恒仁親王) (Emperor KameyamaEmperor Kameyamawas the 90th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1259 through 1274.-Genealogy:...
) - Eleventh son: Imperial Prince Masataka (雅尊親王)
- Thirteenth son: Imperial Prince Sadayoshi (貞良親王)
- Fourth son: Imperial Prince Hisahito (久仁親王) (Emperor Go-Fukakusa
- Lady-in-waiting: Taira no Muneko (平棟子), daughter of Taira no Munemoto (平棟基)
- Third son: Imperial Prince MunetakaPrince MunetakaPrince Munetaka was the sixth shogun of the Kamakura shogunate of Japan who reigned .He was the first son of the Emperor Go-Saga and replaced the deposed Kujō Yoritsugu as shogun at the age of ten...
(宗尊親王) (6th Kamakura ShōgunKamakura shogunateThe Kamakura shogunate was a military dictatorship in Japan headed by the shoguns from 1185 to 1333. It was based in Kamakura. The Kamakura period draws its name from the capital of the shogunate...
)
- Third son: Imperial Prince Munetaka
- Handmaid?: Fujiwara ?? (藤原博子)
- Eighth son: Prince Kakujo Hoshinnō (覚助法親王) (Buddhist Priest)
- Second daughter: ??? (柳殿)
- Sixth daughter: Imperial Princess ?? (懌子内親王)
Events of Go-Saga's life
He ruled from February 21, 1242 to February 16, 1246.When Emperor Tsuchimikado moved to Tosa Province
Tosa Province
is the name of a former province of Japan in the area that is today Kōchi Prefecture on Shikoku. Tosa was bordered by Iyo and Awa Provinces. It was sometimes called .-History:The ancient capital was near modern Nankoku...
(on Shikoku
Shikoku
is the smallest and least populous of the four main islands of Japan, located south of Honshū and east of the island of Kyūshū. Its ancient names include Iyo-no-futana-shima , Iyo-shima , and Futana-shima...
), he was raised by his mother's side of the family.
Because of the sudden death of Emperor Shijō at the age of 10, the question of succession arose. Because the expectations of the court nobility and the Bakufu
Kamakura shogunate
The Kamakura shogunate was a military dictatorship in Japan headed by the shoguns from 1185 to 1333. It was based in Kamakura. The Kamakura period draws its name from the capital of the shogunate...
conflicted, the issue was bitterly contested. Kujō Michiie and the court nobility supported Prince Tadanari (忠成王), a son of Retired Emperor Juntoku
Emperor Juntoku
was the 84th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1210 through 1221.-Genealogy:...
, but the shikken
Shikken
The was the regent for the shogun in the Kamakura shogunate in Japan. The post was monopolized by the Hōjō clan, and this system only existed once in Japanese history, between 1203 and 1333...
Hōjō Yasutoki
Hojo Yasutoki
Hōjō Yasutoki was the third shikken of the Kamakura shogunate in Japan. He strengthened the political system of the Hōjō regency.He was the eldest son of second shikken Yoshitoki...
was opposed to the sons of Juntoku because of his involvement in the Jōkyū War
Jokyu 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....
. Michiie instead supported Tsuchimikado's son Prince Kunihito as a neutral figure for Emperor. During the pendency of these negotiations, there was a vacancy on the throne of 11 days.
- 1242 (NinjiNinji, also called Jinji, was a after En'ō and before Kangen. This period spanned the years from August 1240 to January 1243. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:...
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. - 1242 (Ninji 3, 5th 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, Emperor Go-Fukakusa
Emperor Go-Fukakusa
was the 89th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. This reign spanned the years 1246 through 1260....
, beginning his reign 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...
. In 1259, he compelled Emperor Go-Fukakusa
Emperor Go-Fukakusa
was the 89th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. This reign spanned the years 1246 through 1260....
to abdicate to his younger brother, Emperor Kameyama
Emperor Kameyama
was the 90th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1259 through 1274.-Genealogy:...
. Imperial Prince Munetaka
Prince Munetaka
Prince Munetaka was the sixth shogun of the Kamakura shogunate of Japan who reigned .He was the first son of the Emperor Go-Saga and replaced the deposed Kujō Yoritsugu as shogun at the age of ten...
became 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...
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).
In 1272, Go-Saga died.
Go-Saga's final resting place is designated as an Imperial mausoleum (misasagi) at Saa no minami no Misasagi in Kyoto.
Kugyō
is a collective term for the very few most powerful men attached to the court of the Emperor of JapanEmperor 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 pre-Meiji
Meiji period
The , also known as the Meiji era, is a Japanese era which extended from September 1868 through July 1912. This period represents the first half of the Empire of Japan.- Meiji Restoration and the emperor :...
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 included:
- Kampaku, Konoe KanetsuneKonoe Kanetsune, son of Iezane, was a Kugyō or Japanese court noble of the early Kamakura period. He held regent positions as follows:* sesshō * kampaku * sesshō With a daughter of Kujō Michiie he had a son Motohira.-References:...
, 1242 - Kampaku, Nijō YoshizaneNijo Yoshizane, son of regent Kujō Michiie, was a Japanese kugyō of the Kamakura period of Japan. He held a regent position kampaku two times from 1242 to 1246 and from 1261 to 1265. He was the father of Nijō Morotada.-References:...
, 1242–1246 - Kampaku, Ichijō SanetsuneIchijo Sanetsune, son of regent Michiie, was a kugyō or Japanese court noble of the Kamakura period . He was the founding father of the Ichijō family, one of the five regent houses which monopolized regent positions in Japan's imperial court. He held regent positions kampaku in 1246 and from 1265 to 1267, and...
, 1246 - SadaijinSadaijin, most commonly translated as "Minister of the Left", 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 Sadaijin in the context of a central...
- UdaijinUdaijinUdaijin , most commonly translated as the "Minister of the Right", 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...
- Nadaijin
- DainagonDainagonwas 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....
Eras of Go-Saga's reign
The years of Go-saga's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.- NinjiNinji, also called Jinji, was a after En'ō and before Kangen. This period spanned the years from August 1240 to January 1243. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:...
(1240–1243) - KangenKangenwas a after Ninji and before Hoji. This period spanned the years from February 1243 to February 1247. The reigning emperor was .-Change of era:; 1243: The new era name was created to mark an event or a number of events...
(1243–1247)