Emperor Kameyama

Quick Facts: Who was Emperor Kameyama?

Subject:

Emperor Kameyama

Known for:

90th Emperor of Japan; reigned 1260–1274, known for his later religious devotion.

Born:

1249-07-09

Died:

1305-10-04

Century / Era:

1249s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Emperor Kameyama (亀山天皇, Kameyama-tennō; 9 July 1249 – 4 October 1305) was the 90th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1260 through 1274. Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name (his imina) was Tsunehito-shinnō (恒仁親王). He was the 7th son of Emperor Go-Saga Empress (Kōgō): Toin (Fujiwara Saneko) (洞院（藤原）佶子) later Kyogoku-in (京極院), Toin Saneo's daughter First daughter: Imperial Princess Kenshi (睍子内親王; 1262–1264) First son: Imperial Prince Tomohito (知仁親王; 1265–1267) Second son: Imperial Prince Yohito (世仁親王) later Emperor Go-Uda Empress (Chūgū – a lower rank than Kōgō) Saionji (Fujiwara) Kishi (西園寺（藤原）嬉子) later Imadegawa-in (今出川院), Saionji Kinsuke's daughter Court Lady: Konoe (Fujiwara) Ishi (近衛（藤原）位子) later Shin-yōmeimon'in (新陽明門; 1262–1296) Eighth son: Imperial Prince Hirohito (啓仁親王; 1276–1278) Tenth son: Imperial Prince Tsuguhito (継仁親王; 1279–1280) Court Lady: Saionji (Fujiwara) Eiko later Shōkunmon'in (藤原（西園寺）瑛子; 昭訓門院; 1273–1336, Saionji Sanekane Fourteenth Son: Imperial Prince Tokiwai-no-miya Tsuneakira (常盤井宮恒明親王; 1303–1351) Lady-in-waiting: Koga (Minamoto) Michiyoshi's daughter Third Son: Imperial Prince Priest Shokaku (性覚法親王; 1267–1293) Lady-in-waiting: Sanjō Sanehira's daughter Fourth son: Imperial Prince Priest Ryōjo (良助法親王; 1268–1318) Sixth son: Imperial Prince Priest Shōun (聖雲法親王; 1271–1314) Seventh son: Imperial Prince Priest Kakusei (覚雲法親王; 1272–1323) Fifth daughter: married Kujō Moronori Lady-in-waiting: Fujiwara Saneto's daughter Fifth Son: Imperial Prince Moriyoshi (守良親王) Lady-in-waiting: Fujiwara Masako (藤原雅子), Hosshōji Masahira's daughter Second daughter: Imperial Princess Kenshi (憙子内親王) – Empress Dowager Shōkeimon'in (昭慶門院) married Emperor Go-Daigo Lady in waiting: Sochi-Naishi (帥典侍), Taira Tokinaka’s Daughter Ninth son: Imperial Prince Priest Junjo (順助法親王; 1279–1322) Eleventh son: Imperial Prince Priest Jidō (慈道法親王; 1282–1341) Twentieth son: Imperial Prince Priest Gyōen (行円法親王) Court Lady: Toin (Fujiwara) Miwako (洞院 禖子), Toin Saneo's daughter Third Daughter: Imperial Princess Rishi (理子内親王; 1274–1282) Court Lady: Nukigawa (貫川), Kyogoku temple's banished Priestess Daughter: (d. 1329) married Konoe Iemoto Court Lady: Priest Genkoma's daughter Son: Imperial Prince Kaneyoshi (兼良親王) Court Lady: Fujiwara Hisako (藤原寿子), Fujiwara Kagefusa's daughter Son: Imperial Prince Sadayoshi (定良親王) later Imperial Prince Priest Eiun (叡雲法親王) Court Lady: Sanjo Kinchika’s daughter son: Imperial Prince Priest Sho'e (性恵法親王) Court Lady: Ogura Kino’s daughter son: Imperial Prince Priest In’un 恒雲法親王) In 1258, he became Crown Prince at age 9.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Other names Emperor Kameyama had were: Kongogen (金剛源) – his name as a monk Zenrinji-dono (禅林寺殿) – Literally "Lord Zen-Temple" From the fact that he had a Zen temple in the north wing of his Imperial Villa Madenokō-ji-dono (from his residence) Bun'ō Kōtei (From the era name; Kōtei is another word for Emperor) The name Kameyama comes from the location of his tomb. 9 January 1260 (Shōgen 1, 26th day of the 11th month): In the 14th year of Go-Fukakusa-tennō's reign (後深草天皇十四年), the emperor abdicated; and the succession (senso) was received by his younger brother. Shortly thereafter, Emperor Kameyama is said to have acceded to the throne (sokui). In 1263, during the Kamakura Rebellion, the 6th shōgun, Imperial Prince Munetaka (eldest son of Emperor Go-Saga) was recalled from Kamakura to be replaced by his son Imperial Prince Koreyasu (age 2). In 1265 a delegation sent by Kublai Khan, ruler of the Mongol Empire, arrived.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

On its way to Japan, they looted islands. The Mongols invited Japan to submit to the rule of Kublai. The Emperor and the Imperial Court suggested compromise, but they were ignored by the shogun in Kamakura. The Mongol delegation was sent back. In 1274, abdicating to his son, Emperor Go-Uda, he began his reign as cloistered emperor.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1249 (1249-07-09): Birth of Emperor Kameyama — 90th Emperor of Japan; reigned 1260–1274, known for his later religious devotion.
2. 1260: 1260 Milestone — His reign spanned the years from 1260 through 1274.
3. 1262: 1262 Milestone — He was the 7th son of Emperor Go-Saga Empress (Kōgō): Toin (Fujiwara Saneko) (洞院（藤原）佶子) later Kyogoku-in (京極院), Toin Saneo's daughter First daughter: Imperial Princess Kenshi (睍子内親王; 1262–1264) First son: Imperial Prince Tomohito (知仁親王; 1265–1267) Second son: Imperial Prince Yohito (世仁親王) later Emperor Go-Uda Empress (Chūgū – a lower rank than Kōgō) Saionji (Fujiwara) Kishi (西園寺（藤原）嬉子) later Imadegawa-in (今出川院), Saionji Kinsuke's daughter Court Lady: Konoe (Fujiwara) Ishi (近衛（藤原）位子) later Shin-yōmeimon'in (新陽明門; 1262–1296) Eighth son: Imperial Prince Hirohito (啓仁親王; 1276–1278) Tenth son: Imperial Prince Tsuguhito (継仁親王; 1279–1280) Court Lady: Saionji (Fujiwara) Eiko later Shōkunmon'in (藤原（西園寺）瑛子; 昭訓門院; 1273–1336, Saionji Sanekane Fourteenth Son: Imperial Prince Tokiwai-no-miya Tsuneakira (常盤井宮恒明親王; 1303–1351) Lady-in-waiting: Koga (Minamoto) Michiyoshi's daughter Third Son: Imperial Prince Priest Shokaku (性覚法親王; 1267–1293) Lady-in-waiting: Sanjō Sanehira's daughter Fourth son: Imperial Prince Priest Ryōjo (良助法親王; 1268–1318) Sixth son: Imperial Prince Priest Shōun (聖雲法親王; 1271–1314) Seventh son: Imperial Prince Priest Kakusei (覚雲法親王; 1272–1323) Fifth daughter: married Kujō Moronori Lady-in-waiting: Fujiwara Saneto's daughter Fifth Son: Imperial Prince Moriyoshi (守良親王) Lady-in-waiting: Fujiwara Masako (藤原雅子), Hosshōji Masahira's daughter Second daughter: Imperial Princess Kenshi (憙子内親王) – Empress Dowager Shōkeimon'in (昭慶門院) married Emperor Go-Daigo Lady in waiting: Sochi-Naishi (帥典侍), Taira Tokinaka’s Daughter Ninth son: Imperial Prince Priest Junjo (順助法親王; 1279–1322) Eleventh son: Imperial Prince Priest Jidō (慈道法親王; 1282–1341) Twentieth son: Imperial Prince Priest Gyōen (行円法親王) Court Lady: Toin (Fujiwara) Miwako (洞院 禖子), Toin Saneo's daughter Third Daughter: Imperial Princess Rishi (理子内親王; 1274–1282) Court Lady: Nukigawa (貫川), Kyogoku temple's banished Priestess Daughter: (d.
4. 1263: 1263 Milestone — In 1263, during the Kamakura Rebellion, the 6th shōgun, Imperial Prince Munetaka (eldest son of Emperor Go-Saga) was recalled from Kamakura to be replaced by his son Imperial Prince Koreyasu (age 2).
5. 1265: 1265 Milestone — In 1265 a delegation sent by Kublai Khan, ruler of the Mongol Empire, arrived.
6. 1274: 1274 Milestone — In 1274, abdicating to his son, Emperor Go-Uda, he began his reign as cloistered emperor.
7. 1305 (1305-10-04): Passing & Historical Legacy — Emperor Kameyama passed away on 1305-10-04, leaving an enduring historical legacy.
8. 1329: 1329 Milestone — 1329) married Konoe Iemoto Court Lady: Priest Genkoma's daughter Son: Imperial Prince Kaneyoshi (兼良親王) Court Lady: Fujiwara Hisako (藤原寿子), Fujiwara Kagefusa's daughter Son: Imperial Prince Sadayoshi (定良親王) later Imperial Prince Priest Eiun (叡雲法親王) Court Lady: Sanjo Kinchika’s daughter son: Imperial Prince Priest Sho'e (性恵法親王) Court Lady: Ogura Kino’s daughter son: Imperial Prince Priest In’un 恒雲法親王) In 1258, he became Crown Prince at age 9.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Emperor Kameyama

True or False: “Emperor Kameyama's name 'Kameyama' is derived from the location of his tomb.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): The name Kameyama comes specifically from the location where he was enshrined at Tenryū-ji in Kyoto.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Emperor Kameyama