Emperor Juntoku

Quick Facts: Who was Emperor Juntoku?

Subject:

Emperor Juntoku

Known for:

84th Emperor of Japan during the Kamakura Period, known for his exile on Sado Island.

Born:

1197-10-22

Died:

1242-10-07

Century / Era:

1197s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Emperor Juntoku (順徳天皇, Juntoku-tennō) (22 October 1197 – 7 October 1242) of the Jōgen (Kamakura period) was the 84th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1210 through 1221, a part of Japan's Kamakura Period. Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name (his imina) was Morinari-shinnō (守成親王). He was the third son of Emperor Go-Toba. His mother was Shigeko (重子), the daughter of Fujiwara Hanki (藤原範季) Empress (chūgū): Kujō Fujiwara no Ritsushi (?) (九条（藤原）立子) later Higashiichijō-in (東一条院), Kujo Yoshitsune's daughter Second daughter: Imperial Princess Taiko (諦子内親王; 1217–1243) later Gekgimon'in (明義門院) Third son: Imperial Prince Kanenari (懐成親王) later Emperor Chūkyō Lady-in-waiting: Toku-Naishi (督典侍), Fujiwara Norimitsu's Daughter Fourth son: Prince Hikonari (彦成王; 1219–1286) Sixth son: Imperial Prince Yoshimune (善統親王; 1233–1317) Consort: Fujiwara Noriko (藤原位子), Bomon Nobukiyo's daughter First Daughter: Imperial Princess Jōko (穠子内親王; 1216-1279）later Eianmon'in（永安門院) Consort: Fujiwara Kiyotaka's Daughter First Son: Imperial Prince Priest Sonkaku (尊覚法親王; 1215–1264) Second Son: Imperial Prince Priest Kaku'e (覚恵法親王; b.1217) Fifth son: Prince Iwakura no Miya Tadanari (岩倉宮忠成王; 1222–1279) Consort: Saishō-no-Tsubone (宰相局), Priest's daughter Son: Kangan Giin Mother unknown: Daughter: Princess Yoshiko (慶子女王; 1225-1286） Daughter: Princess Tadako (忠子女王; 1232-1249） Son: Prince Chitose (千歳宮; 1237-1254） Morinari-shinnō became Crown Prince in 1200.

Career & Major Achievements

He was elevated to the throne after Emperor Go-Toba pressured Emperor Tsuchimikado into abdicating. 12 December 1210 (Jōgen 1, 25th day of the 11th month): In the 12th year of Tsuchimikado-tennō's reign (土御門天皇十二年), the emperor abdicated; and the succession (senso) was received by his younger brother, the second son of the former-Emperor Go-Toba. Shortly thereafter, Emperor Juntoku is said to have acceded to the throne (sokui). In actuality, Emperor Go-Toba wielded effective power as a cloistered emperor during the years of Juntoku's reign. In 1221, he was forced to abdicate because of his participation in Go-Toba's unsuccessful attempt to displace the Kamakura bakufu with re-asserted Imperial power.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

This political and military struggle was called the Jōkyū War or the Jōkyū Incident (Jōkyū-no ran). After the Jōkyū-no ran, Juntoku was sent into exile on Sado Island (佐渡島 or 佐渡ヶ島, both Sadogashima), where he remained until his death in 1242. This emperor is known posthumously as Sado-no In (佐渡院) because his last years were spent at Sado. He was buried in a mausoleum, the Mano Goryo, on Sado's west coast. Juntoku's official Imperial tomb (misasagi) is in Kyoto.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1197 (1197-10-22): Birth of Emperor Juntoku — 84th Emperor of Japan during the Kamakura Period, known for his exile on Sado Island.
2. 1210: 1210 Milestone — His reign spanned the years from 1210 through 1221, a part of Japan's Kamakura Period.
3. 1217: 1217 Milestone — ) (九条（藤原）立子) later Higashiichijō-in (東一条院), Kujo Yoshitsune's daughter Second daughter: Imperial Princess Taiko (諦子内親王; 1217–1243) later Gekgimon'in (明義門院) Third son: Imperial Prince Kanenari (懐成親王) later Emperor Chūkyō Lady-in-waiting: Toku-Naishi (督典侍), Fujiwara Norimitsu's Daughter Fourth son: Prince Hikonari (彦成王; 1219–1286) Sixth son: Imperial Prince Yoshimune (善統親王; 1233–1317) Consort: Fujiwara Noriko (藤原位子), Bomon Nobukiyo's daughter First Daughter: Imperial Princess Jōko (穠子内親王; 1216-1279）later Eianmon'in（永安門院) Consort: Fujiwara Kiyotaka's Daughter First Son: Imperial Prince Priest Sonkaku (尊覚法親王; 1215–1264) Second Son: Imperial Prince Priest Kaku'e (覚恵法親王; b.
4. 1221: 1221 Milestone — In 1221, he was forced to abdicate because of his participation in Go-Toba's unsuccessful attempt to displace the Kamakura bakufu with re-asserted Imperial power.
5. 1242 (1242-10-07): Passing & Historical Legacy — Emperor Juntoku passed away on 1242-10-07, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Emperor Juntoku

True or False: “Did Emperor Juntoku rule continuously from 1207 until his death in 1242?”

Answer (FALSE ❌): His reign was marked by periods of active rule (like the Jōgen era) followed by forced abdication and subsequent exile on Sado Island.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Emperor Juntoku