Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado

Quick Facts: Who was Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado?

Subject:

Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado

Known for:

The 103rd Emperor of Japan, reigning during the tumultuous late Muromachi period.

Born:

1442-07-03

Died:

1500-10-21

Century / Era:

1442s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado (後土御門天皇, Go-Tsuchimikado-tennō; July 3, 1442 – October 21, 1500) was the 103rd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1464 through 1500. This 15th-century sovereign was named after the 12th-century Emperor Tsuchimikado and go- (後), translates literally as "later"; and thus, he could be called the "Later Emperor Tsuchimikado", or, in some older sources, may be identified as "Emperor Tsuchimikado, the second," or as "Emperor Tsuchimikado II." Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name (his imina) was Fusahito-shinnō (成仁親王). He was the eldest son of Emperor Go-Hanazono. His mother was Ōinomikado (Fujiwara) Nobuko (大炊御門（藤原）信子), daughter of Fujiwara Takanaga (藤原高長) Lady-in-waiting: Niwata (Minamoto) Asako (庭田（源）朝子; 1437–1492) later Sōgyoku-mon'in (蒼玉門院), Niwata Shigekata's daughter First son: Imperial Prince Katsuhito (勝仁親王) later Emperor Go-Kashiwabara Second son: Imperial Prince Takaasa (1472–1504; 尊敦親王) later Imperial Prince Priest Sonden (尊伝入道親王) Son: (1475) Lady-in-waiting: Kajūji (Fujiwara) Fusako (勧修寺（藤原）房子), Kajūji Norihide's daughter First daughter: Princess Daijikō-in (大慈光院宮) Fifth daughter: Princess Rishu (理秀女王) Fourth daughter: Princess Chien (智円女王) daughter: (1485) Consort: Kasannoin (Fujiwara) Tomoko (花山院（藤原）兼子), Kasannoin Mochitada's daughter Third daughter: Princess Yozen (応善女王) Third son: Imperial Prince Priest Ninson (仁尊法親王) Second daughter: Princess Chien (知円女王) Fourth son: Prince Imawaka (今若宮) unknown Princess Jisho (慈勝女王) August 21, 1464 (Kanshō 5, 7th month): In the 36th year of Go-Hanazono-tennō's reign (後花園天皇三十六年), the emperor abdicated; and the succession (senso) was received by his son.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Shortly thereafter, Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado is said to have acceded to the throne (sokui). Shortly after his enthronement, the Ōnin War took place. Temples, shrines, and mansions of court nobles, among others, were burned to the ground. The Imperial Court's finances dried up, and the Court declined. The Emperor supported the Yoshida family's policy of establishing a new kind of State Shinto which could add social and political cohesion in the country devastated by civil war.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Until former-emperor Go-Komatsu died in 1433, Go-Hanazono held the title of formal head of the Daïri, the real power in the court was wielded by his uncle, who continued a practice known as cloistered rule. After this, Go-Hanazono enjoyed 30 years of direct imperial rule, until his abdication; and then the conventional pattern of indirect government by cloistered emperors was again resumed. The extended duration of Go-Tsuchimikado's reign—lasting thirty-six years, two months—is the longest of any sovereign in the historical period prior to Emperor Kōkaku. After the end of the War, there was little enthusiasm for reviving the Imperial Court's ancient ceremonies. On October 21, 1500, the Emperor died.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1433: 1433 Milestone — Until former-emperor Go-Komatsu died in 1433, Go-Hanazono held the title of formal head of the Daïri, the real power in the court was wielded by his uncle, who continued a practice known as cloistered rule.
2. 1437: 1437 Milestone — His mother was Ōinomikado (Fujiwara) Nobuko (大炊御門（藤原）信子), daughter of Fujiwara Takanaga (藤原高長) Lady-in-waiting: Niwata (Minamoto) Asako (庭田（源）朝子; 1437–1492) later Sōgyoku-mon'in (蒼玉門院), Niwata Shigekata's daughter First son: Imperial Prince Katsuhito (勝仁親王) later Emperor Go-Kashiwabara Second son: Imperial Prince Takaasa (1472–1504; 尊敦親王) later Imperial Prince Priest Sonden (尊伝入道親王) Son: (1475) Lady-in-waiting: Kajūji (Fujiwara) Fusako (勧修寺（藤原）房子), Kajūji Norihide's daughter First daughter: Princess Daijikō-in (大慈光院宮) Fifth daughter: Princess Rishu (理秀女王) Fourth daughter: Princess Chien (智円女王) daughter: (1485) Consort: Kasannoin (Fujiwara) Tomoko (花山院（藤原）兼子), Kasannoin Mochitada's daughter Third daughter: Princess Yozen (応善女王) Third son: Imperial Prince Priest Ninson (仁尊法親王) Second daughter: Princess Chien (知円女王) Fourth son: Prince Imawaka (今若宮) unknown Princess Jisho (慈勝女王) August 21, 1464 (Kanshō 5, 7th month): In the 36th year of Go-Hanazono-tennō's reign (後花園天皇三十六年), the emperor abdicated; and the succession (senso) was received by his son.
3. 1442 (1442-07-03): Birth of Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado — The 103rd Emperor of Japan, reigning during the tumultuous late Muromachi period.
4. 1464: 1464 Milestone — His reign spanned the years from 1464 through 1500.
5. 1500 (1500-10-21): Passing & Historical Legacy — Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado passed away on 1500-10-21, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado

True or False: “Did Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado's reign coincide with a period of relative peace and stability in the Japanese court?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): His reign was marked by significant upheaval, most notably the devastating Ōnin War, which caused widespread destruction to temples and mansions.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado