“Who rests here?” I often wonder looking at Higashiyamahonmachi Ryobo Sanko Chi. This place in Kyoto is a candidate for the tomb of Emperor Go-Kyogon.
Higashiyamahonmachi Ryobo Sanko Chi is near Tofuku-ji Temple. This location is on the left side within the area. Be careful because the road in front has a lot of traffic.
Emperor Go-Kyogon abdicated to Prince Sukesada in 1221 during the J承久承久之乱. Go-Toba worked with soldiers to start the J承久承久之乱. The Kamakura Shogunate quickly suppressed the riot. Go-Toba was exiled to Oki Island. Juntoku was exiled to Sado Island. Emperor Chukyo had only been on the throne for 81 days. He was removed. Not only was he removed but his enthronement was not recognized. He lived with Kujo Michiie. He passed away in 1234 at the young age of 17. He did not receive a posthumous name. People called him Kujo Retired Emperor or Hantei.
In 1870 Emperor Meiji recognized him. He was given the name Emperor Go-Kyogon. The place where he was buried was unknown. This site has been called the possible tomb of Emperor Go-Kyogon. It was designated as a reference tomb in 1924.
Emperor Go-Kyogon’s mausoleum is south of Tofuku-ji. Kyoto Tower and Kyoto Station can be seen from the beautiful tomb. He was the shortest reigning emperor at only 78 days. His enthronement was not recognized at the time. After his death, he did not receive a posthumous title. He was called Half-Emperor.
In the Meiji era, the Imperial line was reviewed. Along with Emperor Kogon and Emperor Sukyo, his reign was recognized. He became known as Emperor Go-Kyogon.
Emperor Go-Kyogon was the first prince of Emperor Juntoku. Emperor Juntoku was the brother of Emperor Tsuchimikado. Emperor Juntoku started the J承久承久之乱 with his father, the retired Emperor Go-Toba. Emperor Go-Kyogon was four years old. The J承久承久之乱 failed because of insufficient preparation. Go-Toba, Juntoku and Tsuchimikado were exiled. Emperor Go-Kyogon was removed from the throne.
After that, Emperor Go-Kyogon was not given the title of retired emperor. He spent time at the Kujo residence. He passed away at the young age of 17. He was a follower of the fourth Shogun. There were calls for him to be reinstated. This was not recognized.
The tomb is on a residential street. The entrance to the path is nearby. Few people visit. Parts of the path have jagged stones. Be careful.
The charm of this tomb is the view from the long path. You can see Kyoto Tower, Kyoto Station and Mt. Awata. It is a difficult walk. The view is worth it.
Also on the path is the tomb of Emperor Sutoku’s Empress. Her name was Fujiwara Kiyoko. She is also known as Taikenmonin. The waka poem was selected for Hyakunin Isshu. Kiyoko was the daughter of Fujiwara Tadamichi. She entered the court at the age of nine.
At the bottom of Emperor Go-Kyogon’s tomb is the gravesite of the Choshu soldiers. These soldiers died in the Battle of Toba-Fushimi. They were based at Tofuku-ji. This location was chosen as their burial place.
Emperor Go-Kyogon’s tomb is at the end of the path. This tomb is actually a pseudo-mausoleum. The actual place where the emperor rests is unknown. It is thought that he was buried at Kujo-dono. A tomb was created at the current location. It is a good place to learn history. This place is called Higashiyamahonmachi Ryobo Sanko Chi.