Emperor Tsuchimikado

Quick Facts: Who was Emperor Tsuchimikado?

Subject:

Emperor Tsuchimikado

Known for:

83rd Emperor of Japan; reigned from 1198 to 1210, marking a period of political transition.

Born:

1196-01-03

Died:

1231-11-06

Century / Era:

1196s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Emperor Tsuchimikado (土御門天皇, Tsuchimikado-tennō; 3 January 1196 – 6 November 1231) was the 83rd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Tsuchimikado's reign spanned the years from 1198 through 1210. Before Tsuchimikado's accession to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name (imina) was Tamehito-shinnō (為仁親王). He was the firstborn son of Emperor Go-Toba. His mother was Ariko (在子) (1171–1257), daughter of Minamoto no Michichika (源通親).

Career & Major Achievements

Tsuchimikado's Imperial family lived with him in the Dairi of the Heian Palace. His family included three sons by three different consorts: Empress (Chūgū): Ōinomikado (Fujiwara) no Reishi (大炊御門（藤原）麗子) later Onmeimon'in (陰明門院), Ōinomikado Yorisane's daughter Lady-in-waiting: Tsuchimikado (Minamoto) no Michiko (土御門（源）通子; d.1221), Minamoto Michimumen's daughter First daughter: Princess Haruko (春子女王; 1210–1230) Second daughter: Imperial Princess Akiko (覚子内親王; 1213–1285) later Ogimachi'in (正親町院) Third son: Imperial Prince Priest Ninjo (仁助法親王; 1215–1262) Fourth son: Imperial Prince Priest Jojin (静仁法親王; 1216–1296) Sixth son: Prince Kunihito (邦仁王), later Emperor Go-Saga Court Lady: Mimasaka-Naishi (美作掌侍), Takashina Nakasuke's daughter Princess Son: Imperial Prince Priest Donin (道仁法親王; 1209-1263) Court Lady: Minamoto Sadamitsu's daughter Fifth daughter: Princess Hideko (秀子女王) Court Lady: Owari-no-Tsubone (尾張局), Priest's daughter Son: Imperial Prince Priest Sonsyu (尊守法親王; 1210-1260) Court Lady: Priest Shine's daughter Son: Imperial Prince Priest Sonjo (尊助法親王; 1217-1290) Court Lady: Jibukyo-no-tsubone (治部卿局), Priest's Daughter Son: Imperial Prince Priest Dōen (道円法親王; 1210-1240) Daughter: Princess Nobuko (信子女王) Court Lady: Omiya-no-Tsubone (大宮局), Minamoto Arimasa's daughter Daughter: Imperial Princess Teruko (曦子内親王) later Senkamon-in (仙華門院) Court Lady: (Fujiwara), Priest's Daughter Son: Imperial Prince Priest Sainin (最仁法親王; 1227-1295) Court Lady: Kunaikyō-no-tsubone (宮内卿局), Fujiwara Norimitsu's daughter Daughter: Princess Tomoko (知子女王) Court Lady: (Fujiwara), Priest's Daughter Son: Zojin Court Lady: Sakyōdaibu-no-Tsubone, Priest's Daughter Daughter: Imperial Princess Junko (諄子内親王; d.1260) Court Lady: Tanba-no-Tsubone, Priest's Daughter Daughter: Princess Koreko (是子女王) Mother Unknown: daughter, adopted by Prince Hokuroku Kaison (懐尊) Jakue (寂恵) In 1198, he became emperor upon the abdication of Emperor Go-Toba, who continued to exercise Imperial powers as cloistered emperor. 18 February 1198 (Kenkyū 9, 11th day of the 1st month): In the 15th year of Go-Toba-tennō's reign (後鳥羽天皇十五年), the emperor abdicated; and the succession (senso) was received by his eldest son. 1198 (Kenkyū 9, 3rd month): Emperor Tsuchimikado is said to have acceded to the throne (sokui). 1199: Shortly after Tsuchimikado's reign began, Minamoto no Yoritomo died.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

1203: Yoritomo's successor as head of the Kamakura shogunate, Minamoto no Yoriie, was assassinated; and former emperor Go-Toba was responsible for good relations with the shogunate when it was headed by Minamoto no Sanetomo from 1203 through 1219. 1210: Go-Toba persuaded Tsuchimikado to abdicate in favor of his younger brother, who would become known as Emperor Juntoku. In Kyōto, Minamoto no Michichika took power as steward, and in Kamakura, in 1199, upon the death of Minamoto no Yoritomo, Hōjō Tokimasa began to rule as Gokenin. Tsuchimikado removed himself from Kyoto, traveling first to Tosa Province (now known as Kōchi Prefecture); and later, he moved to Awa province (now known as Tokushima Prefecture), where he died in exile. 1231: The former emperor died at age 35.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1171: 1171 Milestone — His mother was Ariko (在子) (1171–1257), daughter of Minamoto no Michichika (源通親).
2. 1196 (1196-01-03): Birth of Emperor Tsuchimikado — 83rd Emperor of Japan; reigned from 1198 to 1210, marking a period of political transition.
3. 1198: 1198 Milestone — Tsuchimikado's reign spanned the years from 1198 through 1210.
4. 1199: 1199 Milestone — 1199: Shortly after Tsuchimikado's reign began, Minamoto no Yoritomo died.
5. 1203: 1203 Milestone — 1203: Yoritomo's successor as head of the Kamakura shogunate, Minamoto no Yoriie, was assassinated; and former emperor Go-Toba was responsible for good relations with the shogunate when it was headed by Minamoto no Sanetomo from 1203 through 1219.
6. 1210: 1210 Milestone — 1210: Go-Toba persuaded Tsuchimikado to abdicate in favor of his younger brother, who would become known as Emperor Juntoku.
7. 1221: 1221 Milestone — 1221), Minamoto Michimumen's daughter First daughter: Princess Haruko (春子女王; 1210–1230) Second daughter: Imperial Princess Akiko (覚子内親王; 1213–1285) later Ogimachi'in (正親町院) Third son: Imperial Prince Priest Ninjo (仁助法親王; 1215–1262) Fourth son: Imperial Prince Priest Jojin (静仁法親王; 1216–1296) Sixth son: Prince Kunihito (邦仁王), later Emperor Go-Saga Court Lady: Mimasaka-Naishi (美作掌侍), Takashina Nakasuke's daughter Princess Son: Imperial Prince Priest Donin (道仁法親王; 1209-1263) Court Lady: Minamoto Sadamitsu's daughter Fifth daughter: Princess Hideko (秀子女王) Court Lady: Owari-no-Tsubone (尾張局), Priest's daughter Son: Imperial Prince Priest Sonsyu (尊守法親王; 1210-1260) Court Lady: Priest Shine's daughter Son: Imperial Prince Priest Sonjo (尊助法親王; 1217-1290) Court Lady: Jibukyo-no-tsubone (治部卿局), Priest's Daughter Son: Imperial Prince Priest Dōen (道円法親王; 1210-1240) Daughter: Princess Nobuko (信子女王) Court Lady: Omiya-no-Tsubone (大宮局), Minamoto Arimasa's daughter Daughter: Imperial Princess Teruko (曦子内親王) later Senkamon-in (仙華門院) Court Lady: (Fujiwara), Priest's Daughter Son: Imperial Prince Priest Sainin (最仁法親王; 1227-1295) Court Lady: Kunaikyō-no-tsubone (宮内卿局), Fujiwara Norimitsu's daughter Daughter: Princess Tomoko (知子女王) Court Lady: (Fujiwara), Priest's Daughter Son: Zojin Court Lady: Sakyōdaibu-no-Tsubone, Priest's Daughter Daughter: Imperial Princess Junko (諄子内親王; d.
8. 1231 (1231-11-06): Passing & Historical Legacy — Emperor Tsuchimikado passed away on 1231-11-06, leaving an enduring historical legacy.
9. 1260: 1260 Milestone — 1260) Court Lady: Tanba-no-Tsubone, Priest's Daughter Daughter: Princess Koreko (是子女王) Mother Unknown: daughter, adopted by Prince Hokuroku Kaison (懐尊) Jakue (寂恵) In 1198, he became emperor upon the abdication of Emperor Go-Toba, who continued to exercise Imperial powers as cloistered emperor.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Emperor Tsuchimikado

True or False: “Emperor Tsuchimikado ruled continuously from the beginning of his reign until his death in exile.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While he reigned until 1210, the text notes that after abdication, he traveled and eventually died in exile.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Emperor Tsuchimikado