Prince Munetaka

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Prince Munetaka

Role / Field:

Sixth Shōgun of the Kamakura shogunate, a puppet ruler from 1252 to 1266.

Born:

1242-12-15

Died:

1274-09-02

Century / Era:

1242s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Prince Munetaka (宗尊親王, Munetaka Shinnō; 15 December 1242 – 2 September 1274) was the sixth shōgun of the Kamakura shogunate of Japan who reigned from 1252 to 1266. He was the first son of the Emperor Go-Saga and replaced the deposed Fujiwara no Yoritsugu as shōgun at the age of ten. He was a puppet ruler controlled by the Hōjō clan regents. 10 May 1252 (Kenchō 4, 1st day of the 4th month): Hōjō Tokiyori and Hōjō Shigetoki sent a representative to imperial capital Kyoto to accompany Munetaka to Kamakura where he would be installed as shogun.

Career & Major Achievements

22 August 1266 (Bun'ei 3, 20th day of the 7th month): Munetaka was deposed, and his son Koreyasu was installed as the 7th shōgun at the age of two. The deposed shōgun became a Buddhist monk in 1272. His priestly name was Gyōshō. He was a writer of Waka poetry.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Parents Father: Emperor Go-Saga (後嵯峨天皇, Go-Saga-tennō, April 1, 1220 – March 17, 1272) Mother: Taira no Muneko (d. 1302), Taira no Munemoto's daughterConsorts and issues: Wife: Konoe Saiko (近衛 宰子, b. 1241), daughter of Konoe Kanetsune (近衛 兼経) Prince Koreyasu (惟康親王, 26 May 1264 – 25 November 1326), first son Princess Rinshi (掄子女王, b. 1265), Consort of Emperor Go-Uda, first daughter Concubine: Horikawa no Tsubone, daughter of Horikawa Tomomori (堀川具教) Prince Hayata (早田宮真覚), second son Princess Mizuko (瑞子女王) later Eikamon'in (永嘉門院; 1272–1329), Consort of Emperor Go-Uda, second daughter The years in which Munetaka was shogun are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1220: 1220 Milestone — Parents Father: Emperor Go-Saga (後嵯峨天皇, Go-Saga-tennō, April 1, 1220 – March 17, 1272) Mother: Taira no Muneko (d.
2. 1241: 1241 Milestone — 1241), daughter of Konoe Kanetsune (近衛 兼経) Prince Koreyasu (惟康親王, 26 May 1264 – 25 November 1326), first son Princess Rinshi (掄子女王, b.
3. 1242 (1242-12-15): Birth of Prince Munetaka — Sixth Shōgun of the Kamakura shogunate, a puppet ruler from 1252 to 1266.
4. 1252: 1252 Milestone — 10 May 1252 (Kenchō 4, 1st day of the 4th month): Hōjō Tokiyori and Hōjō Shigetoki sent a representative to imperial capital Kyoto to accompany Munetaka to Kamakura where he would be installed as shogun.
5. 1265: 1265 Milestone — 1265), Consort of Emperor Go-Uda, first daughter Concubine: Horikawa no Tsubone, daughter of Horikawa Tomomori (堀川具教) Prince Hayata (早田宮真覚), second son Princess Mizuko (瑞子女王) later Eikamon'in (永嘉門院; 1272–1329), Consort of Emperor Go-Uda, second daughter The years in which Munetaka was shogun are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.
6. 1266: 1266 Milestone — 22 August 1266 (Bun'ei 3, 20th day of the 7th month): Munetaka was deposed, and his son Koreyasu was installed as the 7th shōgun at the age of two.
7. 1272: 1272 Milestone — The deposed shōgun became a Buddhist monk in 1272.
8. 1274 (1274-09-02): Passing & Historical Legacy — Prince Munetaka passed away on 1274-09-02, leaving an enduring historical legacy.
9. 1302: 1302 Milestone — 1302), Taira no Munemoto's daughterConsorts and issues: Wife: Konoe Saiko (近衛 宰子, b.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Prince Munetaka

True or False: “Prince Munetaka was the first shōgun installed in Kamakura at the age of ten.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): He replaced the deposed Fujiwara no Yoritsugu as shogun, but he was not the first to hold that title.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Prince Munetaka