Emperor Kameyama
Encyclopedia
was the 90th emperor
of Japan
, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1259 through 1274.
, his personal name (his imina) was .
He was the 7th son of Emperor Go-Saga
Other names Emperor Kameyama had were:
The name Kameyama comes from the location of his tomb.
In 1263, during the Kamakura Rebellion, the 6th Shōgun
, Imperial Prince Munetaka
(eldest son of Emperor Go-Saga
) was recalled from Kamakura
to be replaced by his son Imperial Prince Koreyasu
(age 2).
In 1265 a delegation arrived from Kublai Khan
. On its way to Japan, they looted islands.
In 1274, abdicating to his son, Emperor Go-Uda
, he began his reign as cloistered emperor
.
During his time as cloistered emperor, the Mongols invaded twice
. Kameyama personally prayed at the Grand Shrine of Ise.
However, the Bakufu watched Kameyama with suspicion, and in 1287, encouraged Emperor Go-Uda
to abdicate, and pushed for the enthronement of Emperor Go-Fukakusa
's son, who became Emperor Fushimi
. Kameyama's cloistered rule was suspended by this.
Later, Imperial Prince Hisa'aki
, Emperor Go-Fukakusa
's son, became Shōgun
strengthening the position of the Jimyōin-tō. This caused Kameyama to become despondent, and in 1289 he entered the priesthood, joining the Zen
sect. Because of this, Zen Buddhism slowly penetrated into the Court Nobility.
In 1291, he helped establish the Buddhist
temple Nanzen-ji
in Kyōto
.
In 1305, he died. Emperor Kameyama is enshrined at Kameyama no Misasagi in Kyoto; and this Imperial mausoleum is maintained by the Imperial Household.
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 Kameyama'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. His reign spanned the years from 1259 through 1274.
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 7th son of Emperor Go-Saga
Emperor Go-Saga
Emperor Go-Saga was the 88th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession...
- Empress (Kōgō) Tōin (Fujiwara) Fujiwara no SanekoFujiwara no SanekoFujiwara no Saneko was an Empress consort of Japan. She was the consort of Emperor Kameyama of Japan.- Sources :...
(洞院（藤原）佶子)- First daughter: Imperial Princess ?? (目見子内親王)
- First son: Imperial Prince ?? (知仁親王)
- Second son: Imperial Prince Yohito (世仁親王) (Emperor Go-UdaEmperor Go-UdaEmperor Go-Uda was the 91st emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession...
)
- Empress (Chūgū - a lower rank than Kōgō) Saionji (Fujiwara) YoshikoFujiwara no KishiFujiwara no Kishi was an Empress consort of Japan. She was the consort of Emperor Kameyama of Japan.- Sources :...
(西園寺（藤原）嬉子) - Court Lady: Konoe (Fujiwara) ?? (近衛（藤原）位子)
- Eighth son: Imperial Prince ?? (啓仁親王)
- Tenth son: Imperial Prince ?? (継仁親王)
- Lady-in-waiting: Eldest daughter of Sanjō (Fujiwara) ?? (三条（藤原）実平)
- Fourth son: Prince Ryōsuke? (良助法親王) (Buddhist Priest)
- Sixth son: Prince Shōun? (聖雲法親王) (Buddhist Priest)
- Seventh son: Prince ?? (覚雲法親王) (Buddhist Priest)
- Fifth daughter: Wife of Kujō ?? (九条師教)
- Lady-in-waiting: Fujiwara ?? (藤原雅子)
- Second daughter: Imperial Princess ?? (憙子内親王) - Empress Dowager ?? (昭慶門院)
- Lady in waiting: Daughter of ?? (平時仲)
- Ninth son: Prince ?? (順助法親王) (Buddhist Priest)
- Eleventh son: Prince ?? (慈道法親王) (Buddhist Priest)
- Twentieth (twelfth?) son: Prince Gyōen (行円法親王) (Buddhist Priest)
Other names Emperor Kameyama had were:
- ?? (金剛源) - his name as a monk
- Zenrinji-dono (禅林寺殿) - Literally "Lord Zen-Temple" From the fact that he had a ZenZenZen is a school of Mahāyāna Buddhism founded by the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma. The word Zen is from the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese word Chán , which in turn is derived from the Sanskrit word dhyāna, which can be approximately translated as "meditation" or "meditative state."Zen...
temple in the north wing of his Imperial Villa - Madenokō-ji-dono (from his residence)
- Bun'ō Kōtei (From the era name; Kōtei is another word for Emperor)
The name Kameyama comes from the location of his tomb.
Events of Kameyama's life
In 1258, he became Crown Prince at age 9.- 1259 (ShōgenShogenwas a after Shōka and before Bun'ō. This period spanned the years from March 1259 through April 1260. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* 1259 : The new era name was created to mark an event or a number of events...
1, 11th month): In the 14th year of Go-Fukakusa-tennō 's reign (後深草天皇14年), the emperor abdicated; and the succession (‘‘senso’’) was received by his younger brother. Shortly thereafter, Emperor Kameyama is said to have acceded to the throne (‘‘sokui’’).
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...
, 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...
(eldest son of Emperor Go-Saga
Emperor Go-Saga
Emperor Go-Saga was the 88th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession...
) was recalled from Kamakura
Kamakura, Kanagawa
is a city located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, about south-south-west of Tokyo. It used to be also called .Although Kamakura proper is today rather small, it is often described in history books as a former de facto capital of Japan as the seat of the Shogunate and of the Regency during the...
to be replaced by his son Imperial Prince Koreyasu
Prince Koreyasu
Prince Koreyasu was the seventh shogun of the Kamakura shogunate of Japan. He was the nominal ruler controlled by the Hōjō clan regents....
(age 2).
In 1265 a delegation arrived from Kublai Khan
Kublai Khan
Kublai Khan , born Kublai and also known by the temple name Shizu , was the fifth Great Khan of the Mongol Empire from 1260 to 1294 and the founder of the Yuan Dynasty in China...
. On its way to Japan, they looted islands.
In 1274, abdicating to his son, Emperor Go-Uda
Emperor Go-Uda
Emperor Go-Uda was the 91st emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession...
, he began 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...
.
During his time as cloistered emperor, the Mongols invaded twice
Mongol invasions of Japan
The ' of 1274 and 1281 were major military efforts undertaken by Kublai Khan to conquer the Japanese islands after the submission of Goryeo to vassaldom. Despite their ultimate failure, the invasion attempts are of macrohistorical importance, because they set a limit on Mongol expansion, and rank...
. Kameyama personally prayed at the Grand Shrine of Ise.
However, the Bakufu watched Kameyama with suspicion, and in 1287, encouraged Emperor Go-Uda
Emperor Go-Uda
Emperor Go-Uda was the 91st emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession...
to abdicate, and pushed for the enthronement of 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....
's son, who became Emperor Fushimi
Emperor Fushimi
Emperor Fushimi was the 92nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession...
. Kameyama's cloistered rule was suspended by this.
Later, Imperial Prince Hisa'aki
Prince Hisaaki
Prince Hisaaki was the eighth shogun of the Kamakura shogunate of Japan.He was the nominal ruler controlled by Hōjō clan regents...
, 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....
's son, 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...
strengthening the position of the Jimyōin-tō. This caused Kameyama to become despondent, and in 1289 he entered the priesthood, joining the Zen
Zen
Zen is a school of Mahāyāna Buddhism founded by the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma. The word Zen is from the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese word Chán , which in turn is derived from the Sanskrit word dhyāna, which can be approximately translated as "meditation" or "meditative state."Zen...
sect. Because of this, Zen Buddhism slowly penetrated into the Court Nobility.
In 1291, he helped establish the Buddhist
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
temple Nanzen-ji
Nanzen-ji
, or Zuiryusan Nanzen-ji, formerly , is a Zen Buddhist temple in Kyoto, Japan. Emperor Kameyama established it in 1291 on the site of his previous detached palace. It is also the headquarters of the Nanzen-ji branch of Rinzai Zen...
in Kyōto
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:...
.
In 1305, he died. Emperor Kameyama is enshrined at Kameyama no Misasagi in Kyoto; and this Imperial mausoleum is maintained by the Imperial Household.
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 Kameyama's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:
- Kampaku, Takatsukasa KanehiraTakatsukasa Kanehira, 4th son of Konoe Iezane, was a court noble of the Kamakura period and founding father of the Takatsukasa family. His sons include Kanetada and Mototada....
, 1254–1261 - 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:...
, 1261–1265 - 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...
, 1265–1267 - Kampaku, Konoe MotohiraKonoe Motohira, son of Kanetsune, was a kugyō or Japanese court noble of the early Kamakura period. He held a regent position kampaku from 1267 to 1268. and Iemoto were his sons. One of his daughter was a consort of regent Takatsukasa Kanetada.-References:...
, 1267–1268 - Kampaku, Takatsukasa MototadaTakatsukasa Mototada, son of Kanehira, was a court noble of the Kamakura period. He held the regent position of Kampaku from 1268 to 1273. Fuyuhira was his adopted son.-See also:* Kasuga Gongen Genki E...
, 1268–1273 - Kampaku, Kujō TadaieKujo Tadaie, son of regent Norizane, was a kugyō or Japanese court noble of the Kamakura period. He held regent positions kampaku from 1273 to 1274 and sessho in 1274. Tadanori and were his sons born by a daughter of Sanjō Kinfusa.-References:...
, 1273–1274 - 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 Kameyama's reign
The years of Kameyama's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.- Bun'ō (1260–1261)
- KōchōKochowas a after Bun'ō and before Bun'ei. This period spanned the years from February 1261 to February 1264. The reigning emperor was .-Change of era:; 1261: The new era name was created to mark an event or a number of events...
(1261–1264) - Bun'ei (1264–1275)
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...
- Emperor Go-KameyamaEmperor Go-Kameyamawas the 99th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. He ruled from 1383 to October 21, 1392, becoming the last Emperor of the Southern Court...