Emperor Go-Hanazono (後花園天皇) (July 10, 1419 - January 18, 1471) was the 102nd imperial ruler of Japan, reigning from September 7, 1428 until August 21, 1464. His personal name was Hikohito (彦仁).
Genealogy
He was the eldest son of Imperial Prince Fushimi-no-miya Sadafusa (伏見宮貞成親王) (1372 - 1456). His mother was Yukiko (幸子) (1390 - 1448), daughter of Niwata ?? (庭田経有).
His father was the 3rd of the Fushimi-no-miya line and grandson of the Northern Pretender Sukō, making Go-Hanazono the great-grandson of Sukō and 3rd cousin to his predecessor, Emperor Shōkō. He was also the great-great-great grandson of Emperor Go-Fushimi. This is the second most remote relationship between an Emperor and his successor after that between Emperor Go-Komatsu (both the sixth Northern Pretender and the 100th in the main line) and his predecessor in the official line, Go-Kameyama, who was his fourth cousin twice removed.
- Consort: Ōinomikado (Fujiwara) Nobuko (?) (大炊御門（藤原）信子)
Life
Because the previous Emperor, Shōkō had no son, Retired Emperor Go-Komatsu needed to restrict the Daikakuji line. Therefore, before Emperor Shōkō died, he adopted a son out of the Fushimi-no-miya house, who became Emperor Go-Hanazono after Shōkō's death.
Until 1433, when Go-Komatsu died, he ruled as Cloistered Emperor. After this point, there was about 30 years of direct Imperial rule, until his abdication on August 21, 1464, when government by cloistered emperors resumed.
On January 18, 1471, he died.
The Shōgun Ashikaga Yoshimasa, endulging himself in luxury, was chastised by the Emperor.
Eras of his reign
At 8 changes of era, Emperor Go-Hanazono's reign is tied with that of Go-Daigo for the record of having the most eras.
