Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado Facts for Kids

Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado (後土御門天皇, Go-Tsuchimikado-tennō, July 3, 1442 – October 21, 1500) was the 103rd emperor of Japan. He ruled from 1464 to 1500.

His name means "Later Emperor Tsuchimikado." This is because he was named after an earlier Emperor Tsuchimikado from the 12th century. The word go- in Japanese often means "later" or "second."

Family and Children of Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado
Key Events During Go-Tsuchimikado's Reign
Eras During Go-Tsuchimikado's Rule
See also

Family and Children of Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado

Before becoming emperor, his personal name was Fusahito-shinnō. This was his name before he took the throne.

He was the oldest son of Emperor Go-Hanazono. His mother was Ōinomikado (Fujiwara) Nobuko. She was the daughter of Fujiwara Takanaga.

Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado had several children:

With Niwata (Minamoto) Asako:
- First son: Imperial Prince Katsuhito, who later became Emperor Go-Kashiwabara.
- Second son: Imperial Prince Takaasa (1472–1504). He later became a priest named Sonden.
- Another son born in 1475.
With Kajūji (Fujiwara) Fusako:
- First daughter: Princess Daijikō-in.
- Fifth daughter: Princess Rishu.
- Fourth daughter: Princess Chien.
- Another daughter born in 1485.
With Kasannoin (Fujiwara) Tomoko:
- Third daughter: Princess Yozen.
- Third son: Imperial Prince Priest Ninson.
- Second daughter: Princess Chien.
- Fourth son: Prince Imawaka.
Another daughter: Princess Jisho.

Key Events During Go-Tsuchimikado's Reign

August 21, 1464: Emperor Go-Hanazono stepped down from the throne. His son, Fusahito, became the new emperor. This is called his senso (succession). Soon after, he officially took the throne in a ceremony called sokui.

Right after he became emperor, a big civil war called the Ōnin War began. This war lasted for many years and caused a lot of damage. Many temples, shrines, and important buildings in Kyoto were burned down.

The Imperial Court, which was the emperor's government, became very poor. They struggled to pay for things. The emperor tried to support new ideas to bring the country together after the war.

Before Go-Tsuchimikado, his father, Emperor Go-Hanazono, had ruled directly for 30 years. This was unusual. Usually, a retired emperor, often an uncle, would still hold much of the power. This was called cloistered rule. After Go-Hanazono, the old system of indirect rule started again.

Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado ruled for a very long time—36 years and two months. This was the longest reign of any emperor before Emperor Kōkaku.

After the Ōnin War ended, people were not very interested in bringing back the old court ceremonies. The country was still recovering.

On October 21, 1500, Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado died. His son, Emperor Go-Kashiwabara, who was to be the next emperor, did not have enough money for his father's funeral. Because of this, the deceased emperor's body had to stay in a palace storage room for over a month. Finally, someone made a donation, and the funeral could take place.

Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado is buried with other emperors at a special imperial tomb. It is called Fukakusa no kita no misasagi in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto.

Eras During Go-Tsuchimikado's Rule

In Japan, years are grouped into special periods called nengō or era names. Here are the eras during Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado's reign:

Kanshō (1460–1466)
Bunshō (1466–1467)
Ōnin (1467–1469)
Bunmei (1469–1487)
Chōkyō (1487–1489)
Entoku (1489–1492)
Meiō (1492–1501)

Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado facts for kids

Contents

Family and Children of Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado

Key Events During Go-Tsuchimikado's Reign

Eras During Go-Tsuchimikado's Rule

See also