Emperor Go-Saga

Quick Facts: Who was Emperor Go-Saga?

Subject:

Emperor Go-Saga

Known for:

88th Emperor of Japan; reigned 1242–1246, known as 'Later Emperor Saga'.

Born:

1220-04-01

Died:

1272-03-17

Century / Era:

1220s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Emperor Go-Saga (後嵯峨天皇, Go-Saga-tennō; 1 April 1220 – 17 March 1272) was the 88th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. This reign spanned the years 1242 through 1246. This 13th-century sovereign was named after the 9th-century Emperor Saga and go- (後), translates literally as "later"; and thus, he is sometimes called the "Later Emperor Saga". The Japanese word go has also been translated to mean the second one; and in some older sources, this emperor may be identified as Saga, the second, or as Saga II. Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name (his imina) was Kunihito-shinnō (邦仁親王).

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He was the second son of Emperor Tsuchimikado, and second cousin of his predecessor Emperor Shijō. Empress: Saionji (Fujiwara) no Yoshi-ko (西園寺（藤原）姞子) Later Ōmiya-in (大宮院), Saionji Saneuji’s daughter Fourth son: Imperial Prince Hisahito (久仁親王) later Emperor Go-Fukakusa First daughter: Imperial Princess Osako (綜子内親王; 1247-1269）later Gekkamon-in (月華門院) Seventh son: Imperial Prince Tsunehito (恒仁親王) later Emperor Kameyama Eleventh son: Imperial Prince Masataka (雅尊親王; 1254-1256) Thirteenth son: Imperial Prince Sadayoshi (貞良親王; 1256-1260) Princess (b.1260) Consort: Imperial Princess Taishi (体子内親王; 1231-1302) later Shinsenmon’in (神仙門院), Emperor Go-Horikawa’s daughter Princess (d.1281) Court Lady: Saionji (Fujiwara) Kimiko (西園寺（藤原）公子), Saionji Kintsune's daughter Son: Imperial Prince Priest jijo (慈助法親王; 1254-1295） Daughter: Imperial Princess Etsuko (悦子内親王; 1260-1332）later Enseimon’in (延政門院) Lady-in-waiting: Taira no Muneko (平棟子), Taira no Munemoto's daughter Third son: Imperial Prince Munetaka (宗尊親王) Handmaid?: Fujiwara Hiroko (藤原博子), Fujiwara Takatoki's daughter Eighth son: Imperial Prince Priest Kakujo (覚助法親王; 1247-1336) Princess Sixth daughter: Imperial Princess Ekishi (懌子内親王; 1262-1294) later Gojo’in (五条院) Court Lady: Fujiwara Fujiko (藤原藤子), Shijo Takahira's daughter Son: Imperial Prince Priest Saijo (最助法親王; 1253-1293） Court Lady: Mikushige-dono (御匣殿), Sanjo Kinfusa's daughter Son: Imperial Prince Priest Chujo (忠助法親王; d.1290) Sixth Son: Imperial Prince Priest Shōjo (性助法親王; 1247-1282） Court Lady: Anegakoji Saneyo's daughter Son: Imperial Prince Priest Jōjo (浄助法親王; 1253-1280） Court Lady: Emontoku-no-tsubone (右衛門督局), Ichijo Yoshiyasu's daughter Son: Imperial Prince Priest Enjo (円助法親王; 1236-1282） Court Lady: Nijo-no-Tsubone (二条局), Fujiwara Toshimori's daughter Second Daughter: Imperial Princess Yasuko (愷子内親王; 1249-1284） Court Lady: Ichijo-dono-no-tsubone (一条殿局), Fujiwara no Kanefusa’s daughter Son: Imperial Prince Priest Nin’e (仁恵法親王; 1244-1298） Court Lady: Dainagon-no-Tsubone (大納言局), Nakanoin Michikata's daughter Prince (1243) Court Lady: Kujō Yoshihira's daughter Court Lady: Minamoto no Yorimasa's granddaughter Priest Shojo Court Lady: Fujiwara clan's descendant Second Son: Kōhō Ken'nichi (高峰顕日; 1241-1316) He ruled from 21 February 1242, to 16 February 1246. When Emperor Tsuchimikado moved to Tosa Province (on Shikoku), he was raised by his mother's side of the family. Because of the sudden death of Emperor Shijō at the age of 10, the question of succession arose. Because the expectations of the court nobility and the Bakufu conflicted, the issue was bitterly contested.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Kujō Michiie and the court nobility initially supported Prince Tadanari (忠成王), a son of Retired Emperor Juntoku, but the shikken Hōjō Yasutoki was opposed to the sons of Juntoku because of his involvement in the Jōkyū War. Michiie then instead supported Tsuchimikado's son Prince Kunihito as a neutral figure for Emperor. During these negotiations, there was a vacancy on the throne of 11 days. 11 February 1242 (Ninji 3, 10th day of the 1st month): In the 10th year of Shijō-tennō 's reign (四条天皇10年), the emperor died suddenly; and despite a dispute over who should follow him as sovereign, contemporary scholars then construed that the succession (senso) was received by the second son of former Emperor Tsuchimikado. 19 April 1242 (Ninji 3, 18th day of the 3rd month): Emperor Go-Saga is said to have acceded to the throne (sokui).

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1220 (1220-04-01): Birth of Emperor Go-Saga — 88th Emperor of Japan; reigned 1242–1246, known as 'Later Emperor Saga'.
2. 1242: 1242 Milestone — This reign spanned the years 1242 through 1246.
3. 1247: 1247 Milestone — Empress: Saionji (Fujiwara) no Yoshi-ko (西園寺（藤原）姞子) Later Ōmiya-in (大宮院), Saionji Saneuji’s daughter Fourth son: Imperial Prince Hisahito (久仁親王) later Emperor Go-Fukakusa First daughter: Imperial Princess Osako (綜子内親王; 1247-1269）later Gekkamon-in (月華門院) Seventh son: Imperial Prince Tsunehito (恒仁親王) later Emperor Kameyama Eleventh son: Imperial Prince Masataka (雅尊親王; 1254-1256) Thirteenth son: Imperial Prince Sadayoshi (貞良親王; 1256-1260) Princess (b.
4. 1260: 1260 Milestone — 1260) Consort: Imperial Princess Taishi (体子内親王; 1231-1302) later Shinsenmon’in (神仙門院), Emperor Go-Horikawa’s daughter Princess (d.
5. 1272 (1272-03-17): Passing & Historical Legacy — Emperor Go-Saga passed away on 1272-03-17, leaving an enduring historical legacy.
6. 1281: 1281 Milestone — 1281) Court Lady: Saionji (Fujiwara) Kimiko (西園寺（藤原）公子), Saionji Kintsune's daughter Son: Imperial Prince Priest jijo (慈助法親王; 1254-1295） Daughter: Imperial Princess Etsuko (悦子内親王; 1260-1332）later Enseimon’in (延政門院) Lady-in-waiting: Taira no Muneko (平棟子), Taira no Munemoto's daughter Third son: Imperial Prince Munetaka (宗尊親王) Handmaid?
7. 1290: 1290 Milestone — 1290) Sixth Son: Imperial Prince Priest Shōjo (性助法親王; 1247-1282） Court Lady: Anegakoji Saneyo's daughter Son: Imperial Prince Priest Jōjo (浄助法親王; 1253-1280） Court Lady: Emontoku-no-tsubone (右衛門督局), Ichijo Yoshiyasu's daughter Son: Imperial Prince Priest Enjo (円助法親王; 1236-1282） Court Lady: Nijo-no-Tsubone (二条局), Fujiwara Toshimori's daughter Second Daughter: Imperial Princess Yasuko (愷子内親王; 1249-1284） Court Lady: Ichijo-dono-no-tsubone (一条殿局), Fujiwara no Kanefusa’s daughter Son: Imperial Prince Priest Nin’e (仁恵法親王; 1244-1298） Court Lady: Dainagon-no-Tsubone (大納言局), Nakanoin Michikata's daughter Prince (1243) Court Lady: Kujō Yoshihira's daughter Court Lady: Minamoto no Yorimasa's granddaughter Priest Shojo Court Lady: Fujiwara clan's descendant Second Son: Kōhō Ken'nichi (高峰顕日; 1241-1316) He ruled from 21 February 1242, to 16 February 1246.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Emperor Go-Saga

True or False: “Did Go-Saga's reign mark the end of the political influence held by the powerful Hōjō regents?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While his actions influenced succession, the Hōjō regents maintained significant control over the shogunate system during and after his time.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Emperor Go-Saga