Emperor Ōgimachi Facts for Kids

Emperor Ōgimachi (正親町天皇, Ōgimachi-tennō, June 18, 1517 – February 6, 1593) was the 106th Emperor of Japan. He ruled from November 17, 1557, until he stepped down (this is called abdication) on December 17, 1586. His time as emperor saw Japan move from the Sengoku period (a time of many wars) to the Azuchi–Momoyama period. His personal name was Michihito (方仁).

Family Life of Emperor Ōgimachi
Key Events During Ōgimachi's Reign
Eras of Ōgimachi's Reign
See also

Family Life of Emperor Ōgimachi

Emperor Ōgimachi was the first son of Emperor Go-Nara.

His main lady-in-waiting was Madenokōji (Fujiwara) Fusako.
- Their eldest son was Prince Masahito (1552–1586).
- Prince Masahito's eldest son was Imperial Prince Kazuhito (1572–1617).
- This grandson later became Emperor Go-Yōzei.

Key Events During Ōgimachi's Reign

Ōgimachi became Emperor after his father, Emperor Go-Nara, passed away.

Coronation and Early Challenges

1560 (Eiroku 3): Ōgimachi was officially made emperor.
Wealthy lords like Mōri Motonari helped pay for the coronation ceremonies.
At this time, the Imperial Court (the Emperor's government) in Kyoto had money problems.
Its power was also decreasing.

Rise of Powerful Warlords

1560 (Eiroku 3): Imagawa Yoshimoto led his armies against Oda Nobunaga.
At the Battle of Okehazama, Nobunaga's forces won, and Imagawa was killed.
Nobunaga then took control of Owari province.
Tokugawa Ieyasu also gained power, taking over Mikawa province.
1564 (Eiroku 7): Oda Nobunaga finished conquering Mino province.
He built a new castle in Gifu.

Shoguns and Imperial Support

1568 (Eiroku 11): Ashikaga Yoshihide became the Shōgun (a military ruler).
But he died shortly after from an illness.
The Emperor's court was struggling financially.
However, things started to change when Oda Nobunaga entered Kyoto.
This showed that Nobunaga supported the Emperor.
Nobunaga often used the Emperor as a mediator to settle conflicts.
He worked to unite Japan.
Around 1573, Nobunaga asked the Emperor to step down, but Ōgimachi refused.

Working with Toyotomi Hideyoshi

Later, political power shifted to Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
Hideyoshi used the Emperor's authority to strengthen his own position.
This helped increase the power of the Imperial Family.
So, Hideyoshi and the Imperial Family helped each other.
In 1586, Hideyoshi even brought the famous Golden Tea Room to the Kyoto Imperial Palace for the Emperor.

Abdication and Legacy

In 1586, Emperor Ōgimachi decided to step down.
His grandson, Imperial Prince Katahito, became the next emperor, known as Emperor Go-Yōzei.
Ōgimachi then retired to the Sentō Palace.
He passed away on February 6, 1593.
During his reign, with the help of powerful leaders like Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the Imperial Family began to recover.
They had been in decline since the Ōnin War.
Ōgimachi is buried with other emperors at a special tomb in Kyoto.

Eras of Ōgimachi's Reign

The years of Emperor Ōgimachi's rule are known by several era names or nengō:

Kōji (1555–1558)
Eiroku (1558–1570)
Genki (1570–1573)
Tenshō (1573–1592)

Emperor Ōgimachi facts for kids

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