Emperor Go-Hanazono

Quick Facts: Who was Emperor Go-Hanazono?

Subject:

Emperor Go-Hanazono

Known for:

The 102nd Emperor of Japan, reigning from 1428 to 1464 during a period of political upheaval.

Born:

1419-07-10

Died:

1471-01-18

Century / Era:

1419s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Emperor Go-Hanazono (後花園天皇, Go-Hanazono-tennō) (July 10, 1419 – January 18, 1471) was the 102nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1428 through 1464. This 15th-century sovereign was named after the 14th-century Emperor Hanazono and go- (後) translates as "later", and thus, he could be called the "Later Emperor Hanazono", or in some older sources, may be identified as "Hanazono, the second" or as "Hanazono II". Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name (imina) was simply Hikohito-shinnō (彦仁親王). He was the eldest son of Imperial Prince Fushimi-no-miya Sadafusa (伏見宮貞成親王) (1372–1456).

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His mother was Sachiko (幸子) (1390–1448), daughter of Niwata Tsuneari (庭田経有). His father was the 3rd of the Fushimi-no-miya line and grandson of the Northern Pretender Emperor Sukō, making Go-Hanazono the great-grandson of Sukō and 3rd cousin to his predecessor, Emperor Shōkō. He was also the great-great-great grandson of Emperor Go-Fushimi. This is the second most remote relationship between an emperor and his successor after that between Emperor Go-Komatsu (both the sixth Northern Pretender and the 100th in the main line) and his predecessor in the official line, Emperor Go-Kameyama, who was his fourth cousin twice removed. Consort: Ōinomikado (Fujiwara) Nobuko (大炊御門（藤原）信子; 1411–1488) later Karakumon-in (嘉楽門院), Fujiwara Takanaga’s daughter First daughter: Princess Kanshin (1434–1490; 観心女王) First son: Imperial Prince Fusahito (成仁親王) later Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado Lady-in-waiting: Hino (Fujiwara) Kyoko (日野（藤原）郷子), Hino Hidemitsu’s daughter daughter: Princess Shinjoji (真乗寺宮; d.1482) Lady-in-waiting: Sanjo (Fujiwara) Fuyuko (三条 (藤原）冬子; 1441–1489), Sanjo Sanekazu’s daughter unknown Daughter: Princess Shogon (d.1464) Because the previous emperor, Emperor Shōkō had no son, retired Emperor Go-Komatsu needed to secure the Jimyōin inheritance against the Daikakuji line, before Emperor Shōkō died, he adopted a son out of the Fushimi-no-miya house, who became Emperor Go-Hanazono after Shōkō's death.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

1428 (Shōchō 1, 20th day of the 7th month): In the 17th year of Shōkō-tennō's reign (称光天皇十七年), the emperor died at age 27; and the succession (senso) was received by his adopted son. Shōchō 1, on the 29th day of the 7th month (1428): Emperor Go-Hanazono is said to have acceded to the throne (sokui). The new emperor is age 10. 1429 (Eikyō 1, 9th day of the 3rd month): Minamoto-no Yoshinobu is honored in court; and thereafter, he is known as Shōgun Ashikaga Yoshinori. 1433 (Eikyō 5, 6th month): The Emperor of China, at that time the Xuande Emperor, addressed a letter to Yoshinori in which he gave the Shōgun the title, "King of Japan." 1441 (Kakitsu 1, 24th day of the 6th month): Shōgun Yoshinori is murdered at age 48 by Akamatsu Mitsusuke; and shortly thereafter, his 8-year-old son, Ashikaga Yoshikatsu, is proclaimed as the new Shogun.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1372: 1372 Milestone — He was the eldest son of Imperial Prince Fushimi-no-miya Sadafusa (伏見宮貞成親王) (1372–1456).
2. 1390: 1390 Milestone — His mother was Sachiko (幸子) (1390–1448), daughter of Niwata Tsuneari (庭田経有).
3. 1411: 1411 Milestone — Consort: Ōinomikado (Fujiwara) Nobuko (大炊御門（藤原）信子; 1411–1488) later Karakumon-in (嘉楽門院), Fujiwara Takanaga’s daughter First daughter: Princess Kanshin (1434–1490; 観心女王) First son: Imperial Prince Fusahito (成仁親王) later Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado Lady-in-waiting: Hino (Fujiwara) Kyoko (日野（藤原）郷子), Hino Hidemitsu’s daughter daughter: Princess Shinjoji (真乗寺宮; d.
4. 1419 (1419-07-10): Birth of Emperor Go-Hanazono — The 102nd Emperor of Japan, reigning from 1428 to 1464 during a period of political upheaval.
5. 1428: 1428 Milestone — His reign spanned the years from 1428 through 1464.
6. 1429: 1429 Milestone — 1429 (Eikyō 1, 9th day of the 3rd month): Minamoto-no Yoshinobu is honored in court; and thereafter, he is known as Shōgun Ashikaga Yoshinori.
7. 1433: 1433 Milestone — 1433 (Eikyō 5, 6th month): The Emperor of China, at that time the Xuande Emperor, addressed a letter to Yoshinori in which he gave the Shōgun the title, "King of Japan.
8. 1441: 1441 Milestone — " 1441 (Kakitsu 1, 24th day of the 6th month): Shōgun Yoshinori is murdered at age 48 by Akamatsu Mitsusuke; and shortly thereafter, his 8-year-old son, Ashikaga Yoshikatsu, is proclaimed as the new Shogun.
9. 1464: 1464 Milestone — 1464) Because the previous emperor, Emperor Shōkō had no son, retired Emperor Go-Komatsu needed to secure the Jimyōin inheritance against the Daikakuji line, before Emperor Shōkō died, he adopted a son out of the Fushimi-no-miya house, who became Emperor Go-Hanazono after Shōkō's death.
10. 1471 (1471-01-18): Passing & Historical Legacy — Emperor Go-Hanazono passed away on 1471-01-18, leaving an enduring historical legacy.
11. 1482: 1482 Milestone — 1482) Lady-in-waiting: Sanjo (Fujiwara) Fuyuko (三条 (藤原）冬子; 1441–1489), Sanjo Sanekazu’s daughter unknown Daughter: Princess Shogon (d.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Emperor Go-Hanazono

True or False: “Emperor Go-Hanazono was the first emperor to rule after the establishment of the Ashikaga Shogunate's dominance.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The political landscape was complex; while his reign overlapped with Shogun Yoshinori's rise, he succeeded Emperor Shōkō, and power was often contested by various factions.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Emperor Go-Hanazono