Emperor Ōgimachi

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Emperor Ōgimachi (正親町天皇 Emperor Ōgimachi) (June 18, 1517 - February 6, 1593) was the 106th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. He reigned from October 27?, 1557 to December 17, 1586, corresponding to the transition between the Warring States Era and the Azuchi-Momoyama period. His personal name was Michihito (方仁).

[edit] Genealogy

Ōgimachi was the first son of Emperor Go-Nara

Lady-in-waiting: Madenokōji (Fujiwara) Fusako (万里小路（藤原）房子)
- Second daughter: Princess Eikō (永高女王)
- Fifth son: Imperial Prince Sanehito (誠仁親王)
  - First son: Imperial Prince Kazuhito (和仁親王) (became Emperor Go-Yōzei)

[edit] Life

Ōgimachi became Emperor upon the death of Emperor Go-Nara. The ceremonies surrounding his coronation were made possibly by a donation from Mōri Motonari and others. In this way, the finances of the Imperial Family were greatly strained. The authority of the Imperial Court also began to fall, but Oda Nobunaga, entering Kyoto changed this situation. Frequently using the Emperor as a mediator when fighting enemies, Oda Nobunaga brought peace to Japan. However, by around 1573, Oda Nobunaga came to frequently demand the Emperor's abdication, but the Emperor refused.

Before political power was transferred to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, in order to take advantage of the Emperor's authority, the power of the Imperial Family was increased. In this way, Hideyoshi and the Imperial Family entered into a mutually beneficial relationship.

In 1586, he abdicated in favor of his grandson, Imperial Prince Katahito (周仁親王), who became the Emperor Go-Yōzei. Ōgimachi retired to the Sennōda Palace. On February 6, 1593, he died.

During Ōgimachi's reign, with the assistance of Oda Nobunaga and Hideyoshi Toyotomi, the Imperial Family was able to halt the decline it had been in since the Ōnin War, and began a time of recovery.