Emperor Go-En'yū

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Emperor Go-En'yū (後円融天皇 Go-En'yū Tennō) (January 11, 1359 – June 6, 1393) was the fifth of the Ashikaga Pretenders during the period of two courts. He claimed the throne from April 9, 1371 to May 24, 1382. His personal name was Ohito (緒仁).

1 Genealogy
2 Life
3 Eras during his reign
4 Southern Court Rivals

[edit] Genealogy

He was the second son of the fourth Northern Pretender Emperor Go-Kōgon. His mother was Fujiwara Nakako (藤原仲子), daughter of Hirohashi Kanetsuna (広橋兼綱).

Consort: Itsuko (厳子), daughter of Sanjō Kimitada (三条公忠)
- First son: Imperial Prince Motohito (幹仁親王) (Emperor Go-Komatsu)
- First daughter: Imperial Princess Keiko (珪子内親王)
Lady-in-waiting Fujiwara Imako (藤原今子)
- Second son: Imperial Prince ?? (道朝親王)

[edit] Life

In 1371, by Imperial Proclamation, he received the rank of shinnō (親王), or Imperial Prince (and potential heir). Immediately afterwards, he became emperor upon the abdication of his father, Emperor Go-Kōgon. There was said to be a disagreement between Go-Kōgon and the retired Northern Emperor Emperor Sukō over the Crown Prince. With the support of Hosokawa Yoriyuki, who controlled the Bakufu, Go-Kōgon's son became the Northern Emperor.

Until 1374, Go-Kōgon ruled as cloistered emperor. In 1368, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu was named Shōgun, and with his guardianship, the Imperial Court was stabilized. In 1382, upon abdicating to Emperor Go-Komatsu, his cloistered rule began. Having no actual power, he rebelled, attempting suicide and accusing Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and his consort Itsuko of adultery.

In 1392, peace with the Southern Court being concluded, the Period of the Northern and Southern Courts came to an end. On June 6, 1393, Go-En'yū died.