Emperor Go-Uda
Encyclopedia
Emperor Go-Uda (December 17, 1267 – July 16, 1324) was the 91st emperor
of Japan
, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1274 through 1287.
This 13th century sovereign was named after the 9th century Emperor Uda
and go- (後), translates literally as "later;" and thus, he is sometimes called the "Later Emperor Uda". The Japanese word "go" has also been translated to mean the "second one;" and in some older sources, this emperor may be identified as "Uda, the second," or as "Uda II."
, his personal name (his imina) was Yohito-shinnō (世仁親王).
He was the second son of Emperor Kameyama
. They were from the Daikakuji line.
.
The retired Emperor Kameyama continued to exercise power as cloistered emperor
.
In 1287, retired Emperor Go-Fukakusa
, dissatisfied with the fact that his own lineage (the Jimyōin-tō) did not control the throne, while that of his younger brother, the retired Emperor Kameyama
(the Daikakuji-tō) did, persuaded both the Bakufu
and the imperial court
to compel the Emperor to abdicate in favor of Go-Fukakusa's son (Emperor Fushimi
).
After this time, the struggle between the Jimyōin-tō and the Daikakuji-tō over the imperial throne continued. After Go-Uda's abdication, his Daikakuji-tō controlled the throne from 1301 to 1308 (Emperor Go-Nijō
) and again from 1318 until the era of northern and southern courts
(begun 1332) when they became the southern court (ending in 1392).
Go-Uda was cloistered emperor during the reign of his own son, Go-Nijō, from 1301 until 1308, and again from 1318, when his 2nd son Go-Daigo took the throne until 1321, when Go-Daigo began direct rule.
Emperor Go-Uda's Imperial mausoleum is the Rengebuji no misasagi (蓮華峯寺陵) in Ukyō-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 Go-Uda'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 1274 through 1287.
This 13th century sovereign was named after the 9th century Emperor Uda
Emperor Uda
was the 59th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Uda's reign spanned the years from 887 through 897.-Name and legacy:Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name was or Chōjiin-tei....
and go- (後), translates literally as "later;" and thus, he is sometimes called the "Later Emperor Uda". The Japanese word "go" has also been translated to mean the "second one;" and in some older sources, this emperor may be identified as "Uda, the second," or as "Uda 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 Yohito-shinnō (世仁親王).
He was the second son of 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:...
. They were from the Daikakuji line.
- Consort: Horikawa (Minamoto) Motoko (堀河（源）基子)
- First son: Imperial Prince Kuniharu (邦治親王) (Emperor Go-NijōEmperor Go-NijoEmperor Go-Nijō was the 94th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. He reigned from March 3, 1301 until September 10, 1308...
)
- First son: Imperial Prince Kuniharu (邦治親王) (Emperor Go-Nijō
- Consort: Itsutsuji (Fujiwara) ?? (五辻（藤原）忠子)
- Second daughter: Imperial Princess ?? (禖子内親王)
- Second son: Imperial Prince ?? (尊治親王) (Emperor Go-DaigoEmperor Go-DaigoEmperor Go-Daigo was the 96th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession....
) - Third son: Prince ?? (性円法親王) (Buddhist Priest)
- Fourth son: Prince ?? (承覚法親王) (Buddhist Priest)
- Consort: Princess ?? (揄子女王)
- First daughter: Imperial Princess ?? (愉子内親王)
Events of Go-Uda's life
Yohito-shinnō became crown prince in 1268. According to the terms of the late emperor's will (Go-Saga died in 1272), in 1274, he would became emperor upon the death or abdication of Emperor KameyamaEmperor Kameyama
was the 90th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1259 through 1274.-Genealogy:...
.
- 1274 (Bun'ei 11, 1st month): In the 15th year of Kameyama-tennō 's reign (亀山天皇15年), the emperor abdicated; and the succession (senso) was received by his cousin.
- 1274 (Bun'ei 11, 3rd month): Emperor Go-Uda is said to have acceded to the throne (sokui).
The retired Emperor Kameyama continued to exercise power 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...
.
- 1275 (Bun'ei 11, 10th month): Hirohito-shinnō was named Crown Prince and heir to his first cousin, the Daikakuji-tō Emperor Go-Uda. This was the result of political maeuvering by Hirohito's father, the Jimyōin-tō Emperor Go-Fukakusa.
In 1287, retired 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....
, dissatisfied with the fact that his own lineage (the Jimyōin-tō) did not control the throne, while that of his younger brother, the retired 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:...
(the Daikakuji-tō) did, persuaded both 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...
and the imperial court
Imperial Court in Kyoto
thumb|left|350px|Front view of Kyoto imperial palaceImperial Court in Kyoto was the nominal ruling government of Japan from 794 AD until the Meiji Era, in which the court was moved to Tokyo and integrated into the Meiji government....
to compel the Emperor to abdicate in favor of Go-Fukakusa's son (Emperor Fushimi
Emperor Fushimi
Emperor Fushimi was the 92nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession...
).
After this time, the struggle between the Jimyōin-tō and the Daikakuji-tō over the imperial throne continued. After Go-Uda's abdication, his Daikakuji-tō controlled the throne from 1301 to 1308 (Emperor Go-Nijō
Emperor Go-Nijo
Emperor Go-Nijō was the 94th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. He reigned from March 3, 1301 until September 10, 1308...
) and again from 1318 until the era of 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...
(begun 1332) when they became the southern court (ending in 1392).
Go-Uda was cloistered emperor during the reign of his own son, Go-Nijō, from 1301 until 1308, and again from 1318, when his 2nd son Go-Daigo took the throne until 1321, when Go-Daigo began direct rule.
- Genkō 4, in the 6th month (1324): Go-Uda died at age 58.
Emperor Go-Uda's Imperial mausoleum is the Rengebuji no misasagi (蓮華峯寺陵) in Ukyō-ku, Kyoto
Ukyo-ku, Kyoto
is one of the eleven wards in the city of Kyoto, in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. The word , as opposed to , refers to the western half of the ancient capital of Heiankyō – the palace faced south, hence west was to the right...
.
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. 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-Uda's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:
- Sesshō, 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:...
, 1274 - Sesshō, Ichijō IetsuneIchijo Ietsune, son of regent Sanetsune, was a kugyō or Japanese court noble of the Kamakura period . He held a regent position sesshō from 1274 to 1275. Uchitsune was his son.-References:...
, 1274–1275 - Sesshō, 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....
, 1275–1278 - Kampaku, Takatsukasa Kanehira, 1278–1287
- Kampaku, Nijō MorotadaNijo Morotada, son of regent Nijō Yoshizane, was a Japanese kugyō of the Kamakura period of Japan. He held a regent position kampaku from 1287 to 1289. He adopted Nijō Kanemoto as his son.-References:...
, 1287–1289 - 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-Uda's reign
The years of Go-Uda's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.- Bun'ei (1264–1275)
- KenjiKenji (Japanese era)is a which followed Bun'ei and preceded Kōan. This period spanned the years from April 1275 to February 1278. The reigning emperor was .-Change of era:* 1275 : The new era name was created to mark an event or a number of events...
(1275–1278) - Kōan (1278–1288)
External links
- Kyoto National Museum -- "Treasures of Daikaku-ji," including portrait of Go-Uda and the former-emperor's will