) was the third of Ashikaga Pretenders

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...

 in Japan. According to 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 :...

 scholars, his reign spanned the years from 1348 through 1351.

Genealogy

His personal name was originally Masuhito (益仁;), but was later changed to Okihito (興仁).

His father was 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...

. His predecessor, 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:...

 was his uncle, the younger brother of Emperor Kōgon.

• Lady-in-waiting: Niwata (Minamoto) ?? (庭田（源）資子)
  • First son: Imperial Prince Fushimi-no-miya Yoshihito (伏見宮栄仁親王) (First Fushimi-no-miya)
  • Second son: Prince Okinobu (興信法親王) (Buddhist Priest)
• Court Lady: Lady Yasukuku-dono (安福殿女御)
• Consort: Sanjō ?? (三条局)
  • First daughter: ?? (瑞室)
  • Third son: Prince Kōsuke ?? (弘助法親王) (Buddhist Priest)

Events of Sukō's life

In his own lifetime, Sukō and those around him believed that he occupied the Chrysanthemum Throne

Chrysanthemum 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 November 18, 1348 until November 26, 1351.

In 1348, he became Crown Prince

Crown Prince

A crown prince or crown princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The wife of a crown prince is also titled crown princess....

. In the same year, he became Northern Emperor upon the abdication of 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:...

. Although Emperor Kōgon

Emperor Kōgon

Emperor Kōgon was the 1st of Ashikaga Pretenders during the Period of the Northern and Southern Courts in Japan...

 ruled 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...

, the rivalry between 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...

 and Ashikaga Tadayoshi

Ashikaga Tadayoshi

was a general of the Northern and Southern Courts period of Japanese history and a close associate of his elder brother Takauji, the first Muromachi shogun. Son of Ashikaga Sadauji and of a daughter of Uesugi Yorishige, the same mother as Takauji, he was a pivotal figure of the chaotic transition...

 began, and in 1351, Takauji returned to the allegiance of the Southern Court, forcing Emperor Sukō to abdicate. This was intended to reunify the Imperial Line. However, the peace soon fell apart, and in 1352, the Southern Dynasty evacuated Kyoto, abducting with them Retired (Northern) Emperors Emperor Kōgon and Emperor Kōmyō as well as Sukō and the Crown Prince, Imperial Prince Naohito, the son of Emperor Kōgon. Because of this, Takauji made Emperor Kōgon

Emperor Kōgon

Emperor Kōgon was the 1st of Ashikaga Pretenders during the Period of the Northern and Southern Courts in Japan...

's second son Imperial Prince Iyahito emperor (First Fushimi-no-miya).

Returning to Kyoto in 1357, Emperor Sukō's son Imperial Prince Yoshihito began to work with the Bakufu to be named Crown Prince, but the Bakufu instead decided to make Emperor Go-Kōgon's son (the future 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....

) Crown Prince instead.

In 1398, Emperor Sukō died. But, 30 years after his death, in 1428, his great-grandson Hikohito (彦仁), as the adopted son of Emperor Shōkō

Emperor Shoko

Emperor Shōkō was the 101st emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1412 through 1428.-Genealogy:...

, became Emperor Go-Hanazono

Emperor Go-Hanazono

was the 102nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1428 through] 1464....

, fulfilling Sukō's dearest wish. Sukō is enshrined at the Daikōmyōji no misasagi (大光明寺陵) 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 during his reign

Nanboku-chō Southern court

• Eras as reckoned by legitimate Court (as determined by Meiji rescript)
  • Shōhei
    Shohei
    was 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...
    
    

Nanboku-chō Northern court

• Eras as reckoned by pretender Court (as determined by Meiji rescript)
  • Jōwa
  • Kan'ō