Emperor Kōmyō (光明天皇, Kōmyō Tennō) (11 January 1322 – 26 July 1380) was the second of the Emperors of Northern Court, although he was the first to be supported by the Ashikaga Bakufu. According to pre-Meiji scholars, his reign spanned the years from 1336 through 1348.[1]
| Emperor Kōmyō 光明天皇 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | |||||
| 2nd Northern Emperor | |||||
| Reign | 20 September 1336 – 18 November 1348 | ||||
| Enthronement | 19 January 1338 | ||||
| Predecessor | Kōgon | ||||
| Successor | Sukō | ||||
| Born | 11 January 1322 | ||||
| Died | 26 July 1380 (aged 58) | ||||
| Burial | Daikōmyō-ji no Misasagi (大光明寺) | ||||
| |||||
| House | Imperial House of Japan | ||||
| Father | Emperor Go-Fushimi | ||||
| Mother | Saionji (Fujiwara) Neishi | ||||
Genealogy
editHis personal name was Yutahito (豊仁), second son of Emperor Go-Fushimi. His mother was Neishi (寧子), the daughter of Saionji Kinhira [ja] (西園寺公衡)
- Naishi: Ogimachi Sanjo Sanemi’s daughter
- daughter: Jogakuin-dono (長照院; d.1422)
- daughter
- Naishi: Mikawa-no-kami’s daughter
- son: Shuson (周尊)
Events of Kōmyō's life
editIn his own lifetime, Kōmyō and those around him believed that he occupied the Chrysanthemum Throne from 20 September 1336 to 18 November 1348.
When Ashikaga Takauji rebelled against Emperor Go-Daigo's Kenmu Restoration and entered Kyōto in 1336, Go-Daigo fled to Enryaku-ji on Mount Hiei. Despite lacking the sacred treasures, Prince Yutahito was enthroned as emperor, beginning the Northern Court. On the 12th month, 21st day, Go-Daigo escaped to Yoshino, founding the Southern Court.
On 18 November 1348, he abdicated in favor of the eldest son of his older brother, the former claimant to the throne Emperor Kōgon, who became Emperor Sukō.
In April 1352, taking advantage of the Kan'ō Disturbance, a family feud in the Ashikaga clan, the Southern Emperor Emperor Go-Murakami entered Kyoto, capturing it and carrying away Kōmyō along with Emperor Kōgon, Emperor Sukō, and the Crown Prince Tadahito. They all ended up finally in Anau, the location of the Southern Court.[2]
In the Shōhei Reunification, Kōmyō and his companions were placed under house arrest in Yamato Province, in what is today the village of Nishiyoshino, Yoshino District, Nara. In 1355, returning to Kyōto, he entered a monastery.
Eras of Kōmyō's reign
editThe years of Kōmyō's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.[4]
- Nanboku-chō Northern court
- Eras as reckoned by pretender Court (as determined by Meiji rescript)
- Kenmu (continued)
- Ryakuō
- Kōei
- Jōwa
- Nanboku-chō Southern court
Southern Court Rivals
editNotes
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References
edit- Ponsonby-Fane, Richard Arthur Brabazon. (1959). The Imperial House of Japan. Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society. OCLC 194887
- Titsingh, Isaac, ed. (1834). [Siyun-sai Rin-siyo/Hayashi Gahō, 1652], Nipon o daï itsi ran; ou, Annales des empereurs du Japon. Paris: Oriental Translation Fund of Great Britain and Ireland.