Emperor Go-Nijo
Encyclopedia
Emperor Go-Nijō (March 9, 1285 – September 10, 1308) was the 94th emperor
of Japan
, according to the traditional order of succession. He reigned from March 3, 1301 until September 10, 1308.
This 14th century sovereign
was named after the 12th century
Emperor Nijō
and go- (後), translates literally as "later;" and thus, he is sometimes called the "Later Emperor Nijō". The Japanese word "go" has also been translated to mean the "second one;" and in some older sources, this emperor may be identified as "Nijō, the second," or as "Nijo II."
, his personal name (his imina) was .
Go-Nijō was the eldest son of the 91st Emperor Emperor Go-Uda
. He belonged to the Daikakuji-tō branch of the Imperial Family.
In 1296, he became crown prince
(heir) to the Jimyōin-tō Emperor Go-Fushimi
, his second cousin.
Go-Nijō's father, the Emperor Go-Uda
reigned as cloistered emperor
during his reign.
The succession dispute between the Daikakuji and Jimyōin branches of the Imperial Family continued during his reign. His grandfather, the retired Emperor Emperor Kameyama
was said to have acted through the Bakufu
to ensure Go-Nijō's enthronement.
On September 10, 1308, Go-Nijō died of illness.
Go-Nijō is buried at Kitashirakawa no misasagi (北白河陵) in Sakyō-ku, 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 Nijō'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. He reigned from March 3, 1301 until September 10, 1308.
This 14th 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 12th century
Century
A century is one hundred consecutive years. Centuries are numbered ordinally in English and many other languages .-Start and end in the Gregorian Calendar:...
Emperor Nijō
Emperor Nijo
Emperor Nijō was the 78th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spaned the years from 1158 through 1165.- Genealogy :...
and go- (後), translates literally as "later;" and thus, he is sometimes called the "Later Emperor Nijō". The Japanese word "go" has also been translated to mean the "second one;" and in some older sources, this emperor may be identified as "Nijō, the second," or as "Nijo 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 .
Go-Nijō was the eldest son of the 91st Emperor Emperor Go-Uda
Emperor Go-Uda
Emperor Go-Uda was the 91st emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession...
. He belonged to the Daikakuji-tō branch of the Imperial Family.
Events of Go-Nijō's life
Kuniharu-shinnō was made an imperial prince by Imperial proclamation in 1286.In 1296, 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....
(heir) to the Jimyōin-tō Emperor Go-Fushimi
Emperor Go-Fushimi
Emperor Go-Fushimi was the 93rd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession...
, his second cousin.
- ShōanShoanis the name of an era in Japanese history. This era spanned the years from April 1299 through November 1302. Preceding it was the Einin era, and following it was the Kengen era. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:...
3, in the 1st month (1301): In the 5th year of Go-Fushimi-tennōs reign (後伏見天皇5年), the emperor was forced to abdicate; and the succession (‘‘senso’’) was received by his cousin. Shortly thereafter, Emperor Go-Nijō is said to have acceded to the throne (‘‘sokui’’).
Go-Nijō's father, the Emperor Go-Uda
Emperor Go-Uda
Emperor Go-Uda was the 91st emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession...
reigned 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 reign.
The succession dispute between the Daikakuji and Jimyōin branches of the Imperial Family continued during his reign. His grandfather, the retired Emperor 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:...
was said to have acted through 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...
to ensure Go-Nijō's enthronement.
On September 10, 1308, Go-Nijō died of illness.
Go-Nijō is buried at Kitashirakawa no misasagi (北白河陵) in Sakyō-ku, Kyoto
Sakyo-ku, Kyoto
is one of the eleven wards in the city of Kyoto, in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. It was created in 1929 when it was split off from Kamigyo-ku.It is located in the north-east corner of Kyoto city. In the east it borders the city of Ōtsu in Shiga Prefecture. In the south Sanjō Street separates it from...
.
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 Nijō's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:
- Kampaku, Nijō KanemotoNijo Kanemoto, son of regent Nijō Yoshizane and adopted son of Nijō Morotada, was a Japanese kugyō of the Kamakura period of Japan. He held regent positions sesshō in 1298 and kampaku from 1300 to 1305. Regent Nijō Michihira was his son born by a concubine...
, 1300–1305 - Kampaku, Kujō MoronoriKujo Moronori, son of regent Tadanori, was a kugyō or Japanese court noble of the Kamakura period . He held regent positions kampaku from 1305 to 1308 and sessho in 1308. A daughter of Emperor Kameyama was his consort; the couple adopted his brother Fusazane as their son. His other consort gave birth to...
, 1305–1308 - 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-Nijō's reign
The years of Go-Nijō's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.- ShōanShoanis the name of an era in Japanese history. This era spanned the years from April 1299 through November 1302. Preceding it was the Einin era, and following it was the Kengen era. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:...
(1299–1302) - KengenKengenwas a after Shōan and before Kagen. This period spanned the years from November 1302 through August 1303. The reigning emperor was .-Change of era:* 1302 : The new era name was created to mark an event or a number of events...
(1302–1303) - KagenKagenwas a after Kengen and before Tokuji. This period spanned the years from August 1303 through December 1306. The reigning emperor was .-Change of era:* 1303 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
(1303–1306 - TokujiTokujiwas a after Kagen and before Enkyō. This period spanned the years from December 1306 through October 1308. The reigning emperor was .-Change of era:* 1306 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
(1306–1308)
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...