Emperor Go-Horikawa
Encyclopedia
was the 86th emperor
of Japan
, according to the traditional order of succession. This reign spanned the years from 1221 through 1232.
This 13th century sovereign was named after the 10th century Emperor Horikawa
and go- (後), translates literally as "later;" and thus, he is sometimes called the "Later Emperor Horikawa". The Japanese word "go" has also been translated to mean the "second one;" and in some older sources, this emperor may be identified as "Horikawa, the second," or as "Horikawa II."
, his personal name (his imina) was , also known as Motsihito-shinnō.
, an unsuccessful attempt by Emperor Go-Toba
to seize real power, the Kamakura shogunate
completely excluded those of the imperial family descended from Emperor Go-Toba
from the Chrysanthemum throne
, thus forcing Emperor Chūkyō
to abdicate. After the Genpei War
, he, the grandson of the late Emperor Takakura, who was also a nephew of the then exiled Retired Emperor Go-Toba, and Chūkyō's first cousin, was enthroned as Go-Horikawa. He ruled from July 29, 1221 to October 26 (?), 1232.
As Go-Horikawa was only ten-years-old at this time, his father Imperial Prince Morisada acted as cloistered emperor
under the name Go-Takakura-in.
In 1232, he began his own cloistered rule
, abdicating to his 1-year-old son, Emperor Shijō
. However, being of a weak constitution, his cloistered rule lasted just under 2 years before he died.
Emperor Go-Horikawa's Imperial tomb (misasagi) is at Sennyū-ji in the .
in pre-Meiji
eras.
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-Horikawa'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 from 1221 through 1232.
This 13th century sovereign was named after the 10th century Emperor Horikawa
Emperor Horikawa
was the 73rd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Horikawa's reign spanned the years from 1087 through 1107.-Traditional narrative:...
and go- (後), translates literally as "later;" and thus, he is sometimes called the "Later Emperor Horikawa". The Japanese word "go" has also been translated to mean the "second one;" and in some older sources, this emperor may be identified as "Horikawa, the second," or as "Horikawa 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 , also known as Motsihito-shinnō.
- The third son of Imperial Prince Morisada (守貞親王) (Go-Takakura-in, 後高倉院), the second son of Emperor TakakuraEmperor TakakuraEmperor Takakura was the 80th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1168 through 1180.-Genealogy:...
- Empress (Jingū): Sanjō (Fujiwara) ?? (三条（藤原）有子)
- Empress (Chūgū): Konoe (Fujiwara) Nagako (近衛（藤原）長子)
- Empress (Chūgū): Kujō (Fujiwara) Sonshi (九条（藤原）竴子)
- First son: Imperial Prince Mitsuhito (秀仁親王) (Emperor ShijōEmperor Shijowas the 87th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. This reign spanned the years 1232 through 1242.-Genealogy:...
) - Fourth daughter: Imperial Princess ?? (日韋子内親王)
- First son: Imperial Prince Mitsuhito (秀仁親王) (Emperor Shijō
- Lady-in-waiting: Jimyōin (Fujiwara) no Motoko, Daughter of Jimyōin (Fujiwara) Ieyuki (持明院（藤原）家行)
- First daughter: Imperial Princess ?? (暉子内親王)
- Second daughter: Imperial Princess ?? (体子内親王)
- Lady-in-waiting: Daughter of Fujiwara Kaneyoshi (藤原兼良)
- Third daughter: Imperial Princess ?? (昱子内親王)
Events of Go-Horikawa's life
In 1221, because of the Jōkyū IncidentJokyu 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....
, an unsuccessful attempt by Emperor Go-Toba
Emperor Go-Toba
was the 82nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1183 through 1198....
to seize real power, the Kamakura shogunate
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...
completely excluded those of the imperial family descended from Emperor Go-Toba
Emperor Go-Toba
was the 82nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1183 through 1198....
from 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....
, thus forcing Emperor Chūkyō
Emperor Chukyo
was the 85th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned only months in 1221, and he was not officially listed amongst the emperors until 1870 because of doubts caused by the length of his reign...
to abdicate. After the Genpei War
Genpei War
The was a conflict between the Taira and Minamoto clans during the late-Heian period of Japan. It resulted in the fall of the Taira clan and the establishment of the Kamakura shogunate under Minamoto Yoritomo in 1192....
, he, the grandson of the late Emperor Takakura, who was also a nephew of the then exiled Retired Emperor Go-Toba, and Chūkyō's first cousin, was enthroned as Go-Horikawa. He ruled from July 29, 1221 to October 26 (?), 1232.
- 1221 (JōkyūJokyu, also called Shōkyū, was a Japanese era name after Kempō and before Jōō. This period spanned the years from April 1219 through April 1222...
3, 9th day of the 7th month): In the 1st year of what is now considered to have been Chūkyō-tennō 's reign (仲恭天皇1年), he abruptly abdicated without designating an heir; and contemporary scholars then construed that the succession (‘‘senso’’) was received by a grandson of former Emperor Go-Toba. - 1221 (JōkyūJokyu, also called Shōkyū, was a Japanese era name after Kempō and before Jōō. This period spanned the years from April 1219 through April 1222...
3, 1st day of the 12th month): Emperor Go-Horikawa acceded to the throne (‘‘sokui’’).
As Go-Horikawa was only ten-years-old at this time, his father Imperial Prince Morisada acted 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...
under the name Go-Takakura-in.
In 1232, he began his own cloistered rule
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...
, abdicating to his 1-year-old son, 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:...
. However, being of a weak constitution, his cloistered rule lasted just under 2 years before he died.
Emperor Go-Horikawa's Imperial tomb (misasagi) is at Sennyū-ji in the .
Kugyō
Kugyō (公卿) 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.
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-Horikawa's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:
- Sesshō, Konoe IezaneKonoe Iezane, son of Motomichi, was a court noble of the early Kamakura period. His sons include: Takatsukasa Kanehira, and Konoe Kanetsune.In 1206 when Kujō Yoshitune died, he became the head of the Fujiwara family and Sesshō. The same year he was appointed Kampaku. In the Jōkyū War he opposed to Emperor...
, d. 1242. - 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...
, Konoe Iemichi, 1204-1224. - 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...
, Fujiwara Kintsugu, 1117-1227. - Nadaijin, Saionji Kintsune, 1171-1224.
- 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-Horikawa's reign
The years of Go-Horikawa's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.- JōkyūJokyu, also called Shōkyū, was a Japanese era name after Kempō and before Jōō. This period spanned the years from April 1219 through April 1222...
(1219–1222) - Jōō (1222–1224)
- GenninGenninwas a after Jōō and before Karoku. This period spanned the years from November 1224 to April 1225. The reigning emperor was .-Change of era:* 1224 : The era name was changed to mark an event or a number of events...
(1224–1225) - KarokuKarokuwas a after Gennin and before Antei. This period spanned the years from April 1225 to December 1227. The reigning emperor was .-Change of era:* 1225 : The era name was changed to mark an event or a number of events...
(1225–1227) - AnteiAnteiwas a after Gennin and before Kangi. This period spanned the years from December 1227 to March 1229. The reigning emperor was .-Change of era:* 1227 : The era name was changed to mark an event or a number of events...
(1227–1229) - Kangi (1229–1232)