Emperor Shōkō
Emperor Shōkō was the 101st emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1412 through 1428.
Genealogy
His personal name was Mihito.He was the eldest son of Emperor Go-Komatsu. His mother was Hinonishi Motoko, daughter of Hino Sukekuni. He had no children of his own, and was succeeded by his third cousin, Emperor Go-Hanazono, great-grandson of the Northern Pretender Emperor Sukō.
The name "Shōkō" was formed by taking one kanji from the names of the 48th and 49th imperial rulers Empress Shōtoku and Emperor Kōnin.
Issue
- Lady-in-waiting: Fujiwara Mitsuko, Hino Katsumitsu’s daughter
- Naishi: Minamoto Tomoko, Itsutsuji Tomonaka’s daughter
- *daughter:
- Naishi: Takakura Nagafuji’s daughter
- Court Lady: Iyo no Tsubone, Jimyoin Motochika’s daughter
- *daughter:
- Court Lady: Kii no Tsubone, Kamo Tomo’s daughter
Events of Shōkō's life
He reigned from October 5, 1412 until his death on August 30, 1428.Shōkō became emperor upon the abdication of his father, Go-Komatsu in Ōei 18, in the 10th month. His actual coronation date was two years later.
The "retired" Go-Komatsu ruled as a Cloistered Emperor during Shōkō's reign.
Shōkō was connected to Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and the Hino clan through his mother's side.
Shōkō-tennō was only 12 years old when he assumed the role of formal head of the Daïri; but "Go-Komatsu-in" had direction of the court the Shōgun Ashikaga Yoshimochi was charged with the general superintendence of affairs."
- October 5, 1412 : Emperor Shōkō was made the new sovereign upon the abdication of his father, Emperor Go-Komatsu; and the succession was received.
- 1413 : Shōgun Ashikaga Yoshimochi fell ill, and so he sent an ambassador to the Ise Shrine to pray for the return of his health.
- January 29, 1415 : Enthronement of Emperor Shōkō was two years after the senso was received. At this point, Emperor Shōkō is said to have acceded to the throne.
- 1418 : Ashikaga Yoshimochi ordered Asama Shrine, at the base of Mount Fuji in Suruga province, to be re-built.
- July 18, 1419 : Oei Invasion. Korea invaded Tsushima Province.
- 1423 : Shōgun Yoshimochi retired in favor of his son, Ashikaga Yoshikatsu, who was 17 years old.
- March 17, 1425 : Shōgun Yoshikatsu died at the age of 19 years, having administered the empire for only three years.
- February 3, 1428 : Shōgun Ashikaga Yoshimochi, having taken power again after the death of his son, died himself at the age of 43.
- August 30, 1428 : Emperor Shōkō died at the age of 27.Nihon Ōdai Ichiran suggests a cause of death by explaining: "Ce prince, s'occupait de magie et du culte de démons, mens une vie pure, et observa rigoureusement l'abstinence et le jeùne."
He is enshrined with other emperors at the imperial tomb at Fukakusa no kita no Misasagi in Fushimi-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 Shōkō's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included: