Emperor Kōgon
Emperor Kōgon (光厳天皇 Kōgon-tennō) (August 1, 1313 – August 5, 1364) was the 1st of Ashikaga Pretenders during the Period of the Northern and Southern Courts in Japan. According to pre-Meiji scholars, his reign spanned the years from 1332 through 1334.
Events of Kōgon’s life:
- In his own lifetime, Kōgon and those around him believed that he occupied the Chrysanthemum Throne from October 22, 1331 until July 7, 1333.
- Kazuhito-shinnō was named Crown Prince and heir to Emperor Go-Daigo of the Daikakuji line in 1326. At this time in Japanese history, by decision of the Kamakura shogunate, the throne would alternate between the Daikakuji and Jimyōin lines every ten years. However, Go-Daigo did not comply with this negotiated agreement.
- In 1331, when Go-Daigo’s second attempt to overthrow the shogunate became public, the Shogunate seized him, exiled him to Oki Island and enthroned Kōgon on October 22. Emperor Go-Daigo used the 17 petal chrysanthemum mon during his exile. He escaped Oki in 1333, with the help of Nawa Nagatoshi and his family, and raised an army at Funagami Mountain in Hōki Province (the modern town of Kotoura in Tōhaku District, Tottori Prefecture).
- Meanwhile, Ashikaga Takauji (足利 尊氏), the chief general of the Hōjō family, turned against the Hōjō and fought for Emperor Go-Daigo in the hopes of being named shogun. Takauji attacked Hōjō Nakatomi and Hōjō Tokimasu, the Rokuhara Tandai, or chiefs of the Kamakura shogunate in Kyoto. They both fled to the East, but were captured in Ōmi Province. On July 7, 1333, Go-Daigo seized the throne from Emperor Kōgon and attempted to re-established Imperial control in what is referred to as the Kemmu Restoration (1333–1336). Go-Daigo’s attempt failed, however, after Ashikaga Takauji turned against him.
- In 1336, Takauji installed Kōgon’s younger brother on the throne as Emperor Kōmyō. Go-Daigo fled to Yoshino, in Yamato Province and continued to lay proper claim to the throne, establishing what would come to be known as the Southern Court. Kōmyō’s court remained in Kyoto and would come to be known as the Northern Dynasty. This marked the beginning of the Northern and Southern Courts Period of Japanese history, which lasted until 1392.
- In 1352, taking advantage of a family feud in the Ashikaga clan known as the Kan’ō Disturbance, Emperor Go-Murakami of the Southern Court entered Kyōto, captured it and carried away Kōgon along with Emperor Kōmyō, Emperor Sukō and the Crown Prince. Following this, Kōgon was held under house arrest for the remainder of his life. In his final years, he converted to Zen Buddhism, and died on August 5, 1364.
Ashikaga Takauji (足利 尊氏?, 1305 – June 7, 1358) was the founder and first shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate. His rule began in 1338, beginning the Muromachi period of Japan, and ended with his death in 1358. He was a descendant of the samurai of the (Minamoto) Seiwa Genji line (meaning they were descendants of Emperor Seiwa) who had settled in the Ashikaga area of Shimotsuke Province, in present day Tochigi Prefecture.
According to famous Zen master and intellectual Musō Soseki, who enjoyed his favour and collaborated with him, Takauji had three qualities. First, he kept his cool in battle and was not afraid of death. Second, he was merciful and tolerant. Third, he was very generous with those below him.
Source: Wikipedia
