Emperor Go-Nijō


Emperor Go-Nijō was the 94th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. He reigned from 1301 to his death in 1308.
This 14th-century sovereign was named after the 12th-century Emperor Nijō, and go-, translates literally as "later"; and thus, he is sometimes called the "Later Emperor Nijō", or, in some older sources, may be identified as "Nijō, the second" or as "Nijo II".

Genealogy

Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name was Kuniharu-shinnō.
Go-Nijō was the eldest son of the 91st emperor Emperor Go-Uda. He belonged to the Daikakuji-tō branch of the Imperial Family.
Empress: Fujiwara no Kinshi later Chōrakumon-in, Tokudaiji Kintaka's daughter
Naishi: Fujiwara Tamako later Banshūmon-in, Ichijō Sanetsune’s daughter
Lady-in-waiting: Fujiwara Muneko also Chunagon'no-tenji, Itsutsuji Munechika’s daughter
Naishi: Koto Naishi, Taira Munetoshi’s daughter
  • First Daughter: Imperial Princess Benshi
Court Lady: Dainagon-no-tsubone, Sanjo Kinyasu’s daughter
  • Third Son: Imperial Prince Priest Yujo
  • Fifth Daughter
Court Lady: Lady Mikushige, Sanjo Kinchika
  • Fifth Son: Imperial Prince Sonsai
Court Lady: Taira Nobusuke’s daughter
  • Fourth Daughter: Imperial Princess Choshi
Court Lady: Shindainagon-no-Tsubone
  • Second daughter: Imperial Princess Minshi

Events of Go-Nijō's life

Kuniharu-shinnō was made an imperial prince by Imperial proclamation in 1286.
In 1296, he became crown prince to the Jimyōin-tō Emperor Go-Fushimi, his second cousin.
  • 2 March 1301 : In the 5th year of Go-Fushimi-tennōs reign, the emperor was forced to abdicate; and the succession was received by his cousin. Shortly thereafter, Emperor Go-Nijō is said to have acceded to the throne.
Go-Nijō's father, the Emperor Go-Uda reigned as cloistered emperor during his reign.
The succession dispute between the Daikakuji and Jimyōin branches of the Imperial Family continued during his reign. His grandfather, the retired Emperor Emperor Kameyama was said to have acted through the Bakufu to ensure Go-Nijō's enthronement.
[Image:Tomb of Emperor Gonijo1.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Mausoleum (Misgasagi) of Emperor Go-Nijō.]
On 10 September 1308, Go-Nijō died of illness.
Go-Nijō is buried at Kitashirakawa no misasagi in Sakyō-ku, Kyoto.

Kugyō

Kugyō is a collective term for the very few most powerful men attached to the court of the Emperor of Japan in pre-Meiji eras. Even during those years in which the court's actual influence outside the palace walls was minimal, the hierarchic organization persisted.
In general, this elite group included only three to four men at a time. These were hereditary courtiers whose experience and background would have brought them to the pinnacle of a life's career. During Nijō's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:

Eras of Go-Nijō's reign

The years of Go-Nijō's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.