Emperor Go-Fukakusa

Quick Facts: Who was Emperor Go-Fukakusa?

Subject:

Emperor Go-Fukakusa

Known for:

89th Emperor of Japan; reigned from 1246 to 1260, wielding significant influence.

Born:

1243-06-28

Died:

1304-08-17

Century / Era:

1243s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Emperor Go-Fukakusa (後深草天皇, Go-Fukakusa-tennō; 28 June 1243 – 17 August 1304) was the 89th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. This reign spanned the years 1246 through 1260. This 13th-century sovereign was named after the 9th-century Emperor Ninmyō and go- (後), translates literally as "later", and thus he could be called the "Later Emperor Fukakusa". The Japanese word go has also been translated to mean the "second one"; and in some older sources, this emperor may be identified as "Fukakusa, the second", or as "Fukakusa II". Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name (his imina) was Hisahito (久仁).

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Although the Roman-alphabet spelling of the name of this 13th-century emperor is the same as that of the personal name of a current member of the Imperial family, the kanji are different: Emperor Go-Fukakusa, formerly Prince Hisahito (久仁) Prince Hisahito of Akishino (悠仁) He was the second son of Emperor Go-Saga. Empress: Saionji (Fujiwara) Kimiko (西園寺（藤原）公子) later Higashinijō‘in (東二条院), Saionji Saneuji's daughter Second daughter: Imperial Princess Takako (貴子内親王; 1262–1273) Daughter (1265-1266) Third daughter: Imperial Princess Reishi (姈子内親王; 1270–1307) later Yūgimon'in (遊義門院), married Emperor Go-Uda Consort: Tōin (Fujiwara) Inshi (洞院（藤原）愔子) later Genkimon-in (玄輝門院; 1246–1329), Tōin Saneo's daughter Fourth daughter: Imperial Princess Hisako (久子内親王; 1272–1346) later Eiyōmon'in (永陽門院) Second son: Imperial Prince Hirohito (熈仁親王) later Emperor Fushimi Third son: Imperial Prince Mitsuhito (満仁親王) later Imperial Prince Priest Shonnin (性仁法親王; 1267–1304) Court Lady: Saionji (Fujiwara) Aiko (西園寺（藤原）相子), Saionji Kinsuke's daughter Fifth daughter: Imperial Princess Hanako/Eiko/Akiko (瑛子内親王; 1288–1352) later Yōtokumon'in (陽徳門院) Court Lady: Saionji (Fujiwara) Moriko (西園寺（藤原）成子), Saionji Kintsune's daughter First Son: Imperial Prince Tsunehito (常仁親王; d. 1264) Fourth Son: Imperial Prince Yukihito (幸仁親王; 1269–1272) Court Lady: Sanjō (Fujiwara) Fusako (三条（藤原）房子), Sanjō Kinchika's daughter Fifth son: Imperial Prince Priest Gyōkaku (行覚法親王; 1274–1293) Seventh son: Imperial Prince Hisaaki (久明親王) Ninth son: Imperial Prince Priest Sokaku (増覚法親王) Sixth Daughter: Imperial Princess Eiko (永子内親王) later Shozenmon’in (章善門院; d. 1338) Court Lady: Miyoshi Tadako (三善忠子; d. 1299), Miyoshi Yasuhira's daughter Sixth Son: Imperial Prince Priest Shinsho (深性法親王; 1275–1299) Court Lady: Bettō-Naishi (別当典侍), Takakura Shigemichi's daughter Eighth Son: Imperial Prince Priest Kojo (恒助法親王; 1288–1310) Court Lady: Lady Nijō, Minamoto no Masatada's daughter Prince (1273–1274) unknown Prince (1263–1266) When Go-Fukakusa ascended to the throne in 1246 at the age of four, his father Go-Saga continued to rule from his position of Retired Emperor.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1260 Go-Saga forced Go-Fukakusa to abdicate in favor of Kameyama. Kameyama's son was named Crown Prince (later known as Emperor Go-Uda). Go-Fukakusa appealed to the shogunal administration in the city of Kamakura and had his own son (later known as Emperor Fushimi) named next in line after Go-Uda. During the reign of Go-Uda, Go-Fukakusa exerted power from the office of Retired Emperor. An agreement was reached by which the next emperors would alternate between descendants of Go-Fukakusa and descendants of Kameyama.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1243 (1243-06-28): Birth of Emperor Go-Fukakusa — 89th Emperor of Japan; reigned from 1246 to 1260, wielding significant influence.
2. 1246: 1246 Milestone — This reign spanned the years 1246 through 1260.
3. 1260: 1260 Milestone — In 1260 Go-Saga forced Go-Fukakusa to abdicate in favor of Kameyama.
4. 1262: 1262 Milestone — Empress: Saionji (Fujiwara) Kimiko (西園寺（藤原）公子) later Higashinijō‘in (東二条院), Saionji Saneuji's daughter Second daughter: Imperial Princess Takako (貴子内親王; 1262–1273) Daughter (1265-1266) Third daughter: Imperial Princess Reishi (姈子内親王; 1270–1307) later Yūgimon'in (遊義門院), married Emperor Go-Uda Consort: Tōin (Fujiwara) Inshi (洞院（藤原）愔子) later Genkimon-in (玄輝門院; 1246–1329), Tōin Saneo's daughter Fourth daughter: Imperial Princess Hisako (久子内親王; 1272–1346) later Eiyōmon'in (永陽門院) Second son: Imperial Prince Hirohito (熈仁親王) later Emperor Fushimi Third son: Imperial Prince Mitsuhito (満仁親王) later Imperial Prince Priest Shonnin (性仁法親王; 1267–1304) Court Lady: Saionji (Fujiwara) Aiko (西園寺（藤原）相子), Saionji Kinsuke's daughter Fifth daughter: Imperial Princess Hanako/Eiko/Akiko (瑛子内親王; 1288–1352) later Yōtokumon'in (陽徳門院) Court Lady: Saionji (Fujiwara) Moriko (西園寺（藤原）成子), Saionji Kintsune's daughter First Son: Imperial Prince Tsunehito (常仁親王; d.
5. 1264: 1264 Milestone — 1264) Fourth Son: Imperial Prince Yukihito (幸仁親王; 1269–1272) Court Lady: Sanjō (Fujiwara) Fusako (三条（藤原）房子), Sanjō Kinchika's daughter Fifth son: Imperial Prince Priest Gyōkaku (行覚法親王; 1274–1293) Seventh son: Imperial Prince Hisaaki (久明親王) Ninth son: Imperial Prince Priest Sokaku (増覚法親王) Sixth Daughter: Imperial Princess Eiko (永子内親王) later Shozenmon’in (章善門院; d.
6. 1299: 1299 Milestone — 1299), Miyoshi Yasuhira's daughter Sixth Son: Imperial Prince Priest Shinsho (深性法親王; 1275–1299) Court Lady: Bettō-Naishi (別当典侍), Takakura Shigemichi's daughter Eighth Son: Imperial Prince Priest Kojo (恒助法親王; 1288–1310) Court Lady: Lady Nijō, Minamoto no Masatada's daughter Prince (1273–1274) unknown Prince (1263–1266) When Go-Fukakusa ascended to the throne in 1246 at the age of four, his father Go-Saga continued to rule from his position of Retired Emperor.
7. 1304 (1304-08-17): Passing & Historical Legacy — Emperor Go-Fukakusa passed away on 1304-08-17, leaving an enduring historical legacy.
8. 1338: 1338 Milestone — 1338) Court Lady: Miyoshi Tadako (三善忠子; d.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Emperor Go-Fukakusa

True or False: “Emperor Go-Fukakusa reigned for the entire period from 1243 to 1304.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): His reign as emperor spanned only from 1246 through 1260; his life extended until 1304.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Emperor Go-Fukakusa