Emperor Go-En'yū

Quick Facts: Who was Emperor Go-En'yū?

Subject:

Emperor Go-En'yū

Known for:

Fifth Emperor of the Northern Court during Japan's tumultuous Nanboku-chō period.

Born:

1359-01-11

Died:

1393-06-06

Century / Era:

1359s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Emperor Go-En'yū (後円融天皇, Go-En'yū-tennō) (11 January 1359 – 6 June 1393) was the 5th of the Emperors of Northern Court during the period of two courts in Japan. According to pre-Meiji scholars, his reign spanned the years from 1371 through 1382. This Nanboku-chō "sovereign" was named after the 10th century Emperor En'yū and go- (後), translates literally as "later;" and thus, he may be called the "Later Emperor En'yū", or, in some older sources, may be identified as "Emperor En'yū, the second", or as "Emperor En'yū II." His personal name was Ohito (緒仁). He was the second son of the fourth Northern Pretender Emperor Go-Kōgon. His mother was Fujiwara no Nakako (藤原仲子), Hirohashi Kanetsuna's daughter.

Career & Major Achievements

Consort: Sanjō Itsuko (三条 厳子) (also known as Fujiwara no Izuko). Sanjō Kintada's daughter. First son: Imperial Prince Motohito (幹仁親王) later Emperor Go-Komatsu First daughter: Imperial Princess Keiko (1381–1399; 珪子内親王) Lady-in-waiting Fujiwara no Imako (藤原今子), Shijō Takasato's daughter Second son: Imperial Prince Priest Dōchō (1378–1446; 道朝法親王) Naishi: Ogimachi Sanjo Sanetoshi's daughter Naishi: Azechi-no-tsubone, Tachibana Tomoshige's daughter unknown daughter: (d.1391) daughter: ??? In his own lifetime, Go-En'yū and those around him believed that he occupied the Chrysanthemum Throne from 9 April 1371 to 24 May 1382. In 1371, by Imperial Proclamation, he received the rank of shinnō (親王), or Imperial Prince (and potential heir).

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Immediately afterwards, he became emperor upon the abdication of his father, Emperor Go-Kōgon. There was said to be a disagreement between Go-Kōgon and the retired Northern Emperor Emperor Sukō over the Crown Prince. With the support of Hosokawa Yoriyuki, who controlled the Bakufu, Go-Kōgon's son became the Northern Emperor. Until 1374, Go-Kōgon ruled as cloistered emperor. In 1368, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu was named shōgun, and with his guardianship, the Imperial Court was stabilized.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1359 (1359-01-11): Birth of Emperor Go-En'yū — Fifth Emperor of the Northern Court during Japan's tumultuous Nanboku-chō period.
2. 1368: 1368 Milestone — In 1368, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu was named shōgun, and with his guardianship, the Imperial Court was stabilized.
3. 1371: 1371 Milestone — According to pre-Meiji scholars, his reign spanned the years from 1371 through 1382.
4. 1374: 1374 Milestone — Until 1374, Go-Kōgon ruled as cloistered emperor.
5. 1381: 1381 Milestone — First son: Imperial Prince Motohito (幹仁親王) later Emperor Go-Komatsu First daughter: Imperial Princess Keiko (1381–1399; 珪子内親王) Lady-in-waiting Fujiwara no Imako (藤原今子), Shijō Takasato's daughter Second son: Imperial Prince Priest Dōchō (1378–1446; 道朝法親王) Naishi: Ogimachi Sanjo Sanetoshi's daughter Naishi: Azechi-no-tsubone, Tachibana Tomoshige's daughter unknown daughter: (d.
6. 1393 (1393-06-06): Passing & Historical Legacy — Emperor Go-En'yū passed away on 1393-06-06, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Emperor Go-En'yū

True or False: “Did Emperor Go-En'yū rule concurrently with the establishment of the Ashikaga Shogunate?”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): Yes, his reign began in 1371, shortly after Ashikaga Yoshimitsu was named shōgun in 1368, stabilizing the Imperial Court.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Owain Glyndŵr — Contemporary (Born in 1359) (1359): Welsh nobleman who led a major revolt to establish an independent Wales.
• Fa Ngum — Contemporary (Died in 1393) (1393): Founder of the Lao kingdom of Lan Xang, reigning from 1353 to 1393.
• Aaron Swartz — Shared historical date (01-11 · Died) (2013): Pioneering programmer, activist, and hacktivist known for RSS, Markdown, and progressive organizing.
• Abraham Joshua Heschel — Shared historical date (01-11 · Born) (1907): Leading 20th-century American rabbi, theologian, and philosopher.
• Adnan Khashoggi — Shared historical date (06-06 · Died) (2017): Saudi businessman and arms dealer, known as 'The Great Gatsby of the Middle East'
• Agrippina Vaganova — Shared historical date (06-06 · Born) (1879): Foundational Russian ballerina and creator of the influential Vaganova method.
• Mary, Queen of Hungary — Historical peer (Born in 1371) (1371): Queen of Hungary and Croatia, daughter of Louis the Great, ruling through complex dynastic struggles.
• Vasily I of Moscow — Historical peer (Born in 1371) (1371): Grand Prince of Moscow, pivotal figure in consolidating Russian statehood.
• Louis I of Hungary — Historical peer (Died in 1382) (1382): King of Hungary and Croatia, known for military expansion and Polish union.
• Nicole Oresme — Historical peer (Died in 1382) (1382): Influential French philosopher of the later Middle Ages, known for works on science and economics.
• 1359 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1359
• January 11 (01-11) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on January 11
• 1393 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1393
• June 6 (06-06) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on June 6

Frequently Asked Questions about Emperor Go-En'yū