Emperor Go-Daigo

Emperor Go-Daigo (後醍醐天皇 Go-Daigo-tennō) (26 November 1288 – 19 September 1339) was the 96th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. He is remembered for his brave efforts to bring back power to the imperial family. In 1333, he successfully overthrew the Kamakura shogunate, ending their rule and starting what is called the Kenmu Restoration. This moment was very important because it allowed the Imperial House to regain its strength and authority.

During his time, the emperor worked hard to make sure the imperial family had real power again, something that would not happen again until much later, in the Meiji Restoration in 1868. However, his success did not last long. In 1336, another strong leader named Ashikaga Takauji overthrew the Kenmu Restoration and began the Ashikaga shogunate. This caused a big split in the imperial family, creating two opposing factions. One group, called the Northern Court, was supported by the Ashikaga leaders and stayed in Kyoto. The other group, known as the Southern Court, was led by Emperor Go-Daigo and his successors and remained based in Yoshino.

Biography

Before becoming emperor, his name was Takaharu-shinnō. He was the second son of Emperor Go-Uda and Fujiwara no Chūshi/Tadako. His older brother was Emperor Go-Nijō.

Emperor Go-Daigo wanted to bring back strong imperial rule like during the Engi era under Emperor Daigo. He became emperor in 1318 after his cousin Emperor Go-Nijō stepped down. In 1324, his plans to remove the ruling Kamakura shogunate were discovered, and he was later forced to hide important treasures and raise an army. In 1333, he escaped and, with help from a general named Ashikaga Takauji, overthrew the shogunate. This led to the Kenmu Restoration, where the emperor tried to take full control. However, his strict rules caused problems, and another general, Ashikaga Takauji, later opposed him. In 1337, Go-Daigo set up a separate court in Yoshino to fight against the new government in Kyoto. He passed away in 1339.

Genealogy

Emperor Go-Daigo had many consorts and children during his time. One of his main consorts was Saionji Kishi, who was the daughter of Saionji Sanekane. Together, they had a daughter named Imperial Princess Kanshi. Another consort was Imperial Princess Junshi, daughter of Emperor Go-Fushimi, and they had a daughter named Imperial Princess Sachiko.

From other court ladies, Emperor Go-Daigo had several sons and daughters, including Imperial Prince Tsunenaga, Imperial Prince Nariyoshi, and many others who became priests or nuns, or held important roles. Many of these children married into other noble families or took religious vows.

Kugyō

Kugyō (公卿) is a term for the most powerful men in the court of the Emperor of Japan before the Meiji era. Even when the court had little influence outside the palace, its organization remained the same.

Usually, only three or four men were part of this elite group. They were experienced hereditary courtiers. During the time of Emperor Go-Daigo, the top leaders of the Daijō-kan included several important figures who served in key roles over the years.

Eras of Go-Daigo's reign

The years of Go-Daigo's reign are identified by special names, called era names. Emperor Go-Daigo had eight different era names during his time, which was quite a lot and matched only by another emperor, Emperor Go-Hanazono.

The era names during Go-Daigo's reign include:

Pre_Nanboku-chō court

• Bunpō (1317–1319)
• Gen'ō (1319–1321)
• Genkō (1321–1324)
• Shōchū (1324–1326)
• Karyaku (1326–1329)
• Gentoku (1329–1331)
• Genkō (1331–1334)
• Kenmu (1334–1336)

Nanboku-chō southern court

• Eras as reckoned by legitimate sovereign's Court (as determined by Meiji rescript)
  • Engen (1336–1340)

Nanboku-chō northern Court

• Eras as reckoned by pretender sovereign's Court (as determined by Meiji rescript)
  • Shōkei (1332–1338)
  • Ryakuō (1338–1342)

In popular culture

Emperor Go-Daigo is featured in the alternate history novel Romanitas by Sophia McDougall. This book imagines different events in history and includes the emperor as part of its story.