Emperor Kōgon
Emperor Kōgon (光厳天皇 Kōgon Tennō) (August 1, 1313 – August 5, 1364) was the first of what are now called the northern Ashikaga pretenders to the throne of Japan, although this designation is technically inaccurate in his case: he held the throne from October 22, 1331 until July 7, 1333. His personal name was Kazuhito (量仁).
Genealogy
He was the first son of the Jimyōin-tō Emperor Go-Fushimi. He was adopted by his uncle, Emperor Hanazono.
- Empress: Imperial Princess Yoshiko (懽子内親王) (First daughter of Emperor Go-Daigo)
- Imperial Princess Mitsuko (光子内親王)
- Consort: Imperial Princess Hisako (寿子内親王) (Daughter of Emperor Hanazono)
- Lady-in-waiting: Sanjō Shūshi (三条秀子) Empress Dowager Yōroku (陽禄門院)
- First son: Imperial Prince Okihito (興仁親王) (Emperor Sukō)
- Second son: Imperial Prince Iyahito (弥仁親王) (Emperor Go-Kōgon)
- Imperial Prince Yoshihito (義仁親王)
- Consort: Unknown
- Imperial Prince Sonchō (尊朝親王)
- Egon (恵厳)
Life
In 1326, he became Crown Prince to the Daikakuji Emperor Go-Daigo. At this period of Japanese history, by a decision of the Kamakura shogunate, every 10 years the throne would alternate between the Daikakuji and Jimyōin lines. However, Go-Daigo did not comply with this policy.
In 1331, when Go-Daigo's plan to overthrow the shogunate became public, the Shogunate seized him and enthroned Kōgon on October 22. The next year, Go-Daigo travelled to Oki Province, but Kogon refused to abdicate.
In 1333, Ashikaga Takauji attacked the Rokuhara Tandai, the chiefs of the Kamakura shogunate in Kyoto. Both tandai, Hōjō Nakatomi and Hōjō Tokimasu, fled to the east, but they were both captured in Ōmi Province. On July 7, 1333, Emperor Kogon was dethroned. However, returning to Kyoto, Go-Daigo attempted to re-established Imperial control in what is referred to as the Kemmu Restoration (1333-1336). The attempt failed, and Ashikaga Takauji began a revolt against Go-Daigo, and in 1336, his younger brother was enthroned as Emperor Kōmyō.
Returning to Yoshino, in Yamato Province, Go-Daigo claimed his own throne to be legitimate, in opposition to the Northern Dynasty.
In 1352, taking advantage of a family feud in the Ashikaga clan, called the Kan'ō Disturbance, the Southern Emperor Go-Murakami entered Kyōto, capturing it and carrying away Kōgon along with Emperor Kōmyō and Emperor Sukō, as well as the Crown Prince. Kōgon was held under house arrest for the remaining 10 years of his life.
In his final years, he converted to Zen Buddhism. He died on August 5, 1364.
Eras of his reign
(Both)
(North)
(South)
- (Continued Genkō)