Prince Munetaka facts for kids

Prince Munetaka (宗尊親王, Munetaka Shinnō) was a Japanese prince who lived from 1242 to 1274. He became the sixth shōgun of the Kamakura shogunate, a military government that ruled Japan for many years. He was shōgun from 1252 to 1266.

Prince Munetaka was the first son of Emperor Go-Saga. He became shōgun when he was just ten years old. He took over from Fujiwara no Yoritsugu. However, Prince Munetaka was a puppet ruler. This means he was a leader, but powerful people behind the scenes, called the Hōjō clan regents, made all the real decisions.

Prince Munetaka: Japan's Young Shogun

Becoming Shogun

On May 10, 1252, important leaders from the Hōjō clan, Hōjō Tokiyori and Hōjō Shigetoki, sent a messenger to Kyoto. Their goal was to bring Prince Munetaka to Kamakura. This was the city where he would officially become the new shōgun.

Life as a Ruler

Prince Munetaka served as shōgun for 14 years. Even though he was the official leader, the Hōjō clan held the true power. They guided his decisions and controlled the government.

End of His Rule

On August 22, 1266, Prince Munetaka was removed from his position. His son, Prince Koreyasu, who was only two years old, became the seventh shōgun. After being removed, Prince Munetaka later became a Buddhist monk in 1272. His religious name was Gyōshō. He was also known for writing Waka poetry.

Family Life

Prince Munetaka had a family with several children.

Parents

• Father: Emperor Go-Saga (born 1220 – died 1272). He was a former emperor of Japan.
• Mother: Taira no Muneko (died 1302). She was the daughter of Taira no Munemoto.

Wives and Children

• Wife: Konoe Saiko (born 1241). She was the daughter of Konoe Kanetsune.
  • Prince Koreyasu (born 1264 – died 1326). He was Prince Munetaka's first son and later became shōgun.
  • Princess Rinshi (born 1265). She was his first daughter.
• Concubine: Horikawa no Tsubone. She was the daughter of Horikawa Tomomori.
  • Prince Hayata. He was his second son.
  • Princess Mizuko (born 1272 – died 1329). She was his second daughter.

Important Time Periods

The years when Prince Munetaka was shōgun are known by different Japanese era names, or nengō. These eras help historians keep track of time.

• Kenchō (1249–1257)
• Kōgen (1256–1257)
• Shōka (1257–1259)
• Shōgen (1259–1260)
• Bun'ō (1260–1261)
• Kōchō (1261–1264)
• Bun'ei (1264–1275)