Prince Masahito

1.1. Early life and princely investiture

Prince Masahito was born on May 16, 1552, the eldest son of Emperor Ōgimachi. Despite the Imperial Court facing severe financial difficulties that often delayed crucial ceremonies, his formal princely investiture (親王宣下_{Shinnō Senka}^Japanese) and coming-of-age ceremony (元服_Genpuku^Japanese) were finally realized on December 15, 1568. This was made possible largely due to the financial support provided by the powerful warlord Oda Nobunaga, who bore the considerable costs.

Following his investiture, several court officials were appointed to serve him, including Imadegawa Harusue (also known as Kikutei Harusue) as his Bettō, and Kanroji Tsunemoto, Niwata Shigemichi, Yamashina Tokitsune, Nakayama Chikatsuna, and Karasumaru Mitsunori as his Kashi. Although a formal ceremony for his enthronement as Crown Prince (立太子礼_{Rittaishi Rei}^Japanese) never took place, contemporary historical records often referred to him informally as "Shun-gu," "Tō-gu," or "Taishi" (all meaning Crown Prince or Heir Apparent). This informal designation stemmed from the fact that Emperor Ōgimachi had no other surviving sons, making Prince Masahito the undisputed successor. In November 1567, prior to his coming-of-age, he took Kanshūji Haruko as his 女房_Nyobō^Japanese, a title equivalent to a consort, with whom he had thirteen children. From a young age, he exhibited a strong aptitude for various arts, particularly Waka (Japanese poetry) and the 笙_shō^Japanese (a type of mouth organ used in Gagaku court music), frequently hosting poetry gatherings even in his later years.

1.2. Political activities and relationship with Oda Nobunaga

As he matured, Prince Masahito became increasingly involved in the political affairs of the Imperial Court during the Tenshō era. He played a direct role in mediating various lawsuits brought before the court, including the 絹衣相論_{Kinuginu Sōron}^Japanese and the 天正4年興福寺別当相論_{Kōfukuji Bettō Sōron}^Japanese in 1576. In the latter dispute, upon learning of Nobunaga's strong displeasure over the Emperor's disregard for his opinion, Prince Masahito promptly dispatched a letter of apology on behalf of Emperor Ōgimachi, highlighting his diplomatic skill and his critical role in mitigating tensions between the Imperial Court and the burgeoning power of the warlords.

He also frequently served as a mediator in the protracted conflict between Nobunaga and Kennyo, the head priest of Ishiyama Hongan-ji. In 1580, when a final resolution was sought through an imperial command, Prince Masahito personally sent a letter to Kennyo, urging him to vacate Ishiyama Hongan-ji, which ultimately contributed to the peace settlement.

From November 1579, Prince Masahito resided in a grand mansion known as the 二条新御所_{Nijō Shin Gosho}^Japanese (New Nijō Palace), which Nobunaga had extensively renovated and presented. This residence, distinct from the later Nijō Castle built by Tokugawa Ieyasu, became a significant political center. Referred to as the "Lower Palace" (下御所_{Shimo Gosho}^Japanese) in contrast to the Emperor's "Upper Palace" (上御所_{Kami Gosho}^Japanese), the Nijō Shin Gosho was equipped with its own security detail, the 禁裏小番衆_{Kinri Kobanshū}^Japanese, much like the Imperial Palace itself. Emperor Ōgimachi frequently consulted Prince Masahito on crucial court decisions, leading the mansion to effectively function as a "deputy court" (副朝廷_{fuku chōtei}^Japanese). Contemporary diaries of Buddhist monks, such as the 多聞院日記_{Tamon'in Nikki}^Japanese and 蓮成院記録_{Renjōin Kiroku}^Japanese, even referred to Masahito using imperial titles like "Ō" (King), "Shujō" (His Majesty), and "Kinjō Kōtei" (Current Emperor), reflecting the perception that he was a de facto co-ruler.

The question of imperial succession was pressing, as Emperor Ōgimachi was already advanced in age, and Prince Masahito was mature enough to ascend the throne. However, the Imperial Court lacked the necessary funds to conduct the elaborate abdication ceremonies, and unlike previous reigns, it was no longer feasible to solicit donations from various Sengoku daimyō under Nobunaga's dominant influence. The court was therefore compelled to appeal repeatedly to Nobunaga for the abdication to take place, offering him unprecedented concessions, such as the appointment to the post of Sadaijin (Minister of the Left) and the Sanshoku Suinin (appointment to three chief offices). While Nobunaga never explicitly refused, he maintained a passive stance until his death. Nevertheless, the existence of a "Gokō no Ma" (Imperial Visit Room) in Nobunaga's Azuchi Castle suggests that he did anticipate an imperial visit, likely for Prince Masahito's enthronement.

During the Honnō-ji Incident in 1582, when Akechi Mitsuhide rebelled against Nobunaga, Nobunaga's heir, Oda Nobutada, abandoned his lodging at Myōkakuji and fortified himself within the more defensible Nijō Shin Gosho. According to the "Annual Report on Japan" by the Jesuits, as Mitsuhide's forces besieged the palace, Prince Masahito reportedly asked Mitsuhide if he should commit seppuku, fearing that his fate was intrinsically linked to Nobunaga's. Fortunately, through negotiations led by Murai Sadakatsu, who was accompanying Nobutada, Prince Masahito, his family, and the resident court nobles were able to evacuate the palace and seek refuge in the Imperial Palace. Mitsuhide, wary of any fugitives attempting to blend in with the imperial party, prohibited the use of horses or vehicles, forcing Prince Masahito to proceed on foot. However, the renowned Renga poet Satomura Jōha, who was also part of the group, managed to procure a simple palanquin for Masahito's journey. In January 1584, Prince Masahito was formally conferred the rank of Jusanmi (Third Rank).

1.3. Death

Prince Masahito died suddenly on September 7, 1586 (corresponding to July 24, 1586, in the lunisolar calendar), before his father, Emperor Ōgimachi, could abdicate. His untimely demise sent shockwaves through society. Rumors quickly spread, some alleging that he had committed suicide in protest over an alleged affair between Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Nobunaga's successor, and one of Masahito's concubines. Other whispers suggested that Hideyoshi harbored ambitions to become emperor himself. The suddenness of his death also deeply affected Emperor Ōgimachi, who reportedly ceased eating for several days, leading to further rumors that he had starved to death or even committed seppuku out of grief.

2.1. Kemari Tournament

In 1575 (Tenshō 3), Prince Masahito hosted a large-scale Kemari (court kickball) tournament in Kyoto. This event, meticulously documented in Ōta Gyūichi's Shinchō Kōki, was conducted with great pomp and strictly adhered to formal court rituals, reflecting the enduring cultural authority of the Imperial Court. Nobunaga and his personal guards were notable attendees, even receiving sake cups directly from Emperor Ōgimachi through female court attendants, a sign of their esteemed presence.

Among the prominent spectators were Emperor Ōgimachi himself, members of the esteemed Five Regent Houses (Go-Sekke), various members of the Seika-ke (the next highest tier of court noble families), Oda Nobunaga and his direct retainers (Horomawari), and numerous feudal lords including Bessho Nagaharu, Bessho Shigemune, Miyoshi Yasunaga, Takeda Motoaki, Hemmi Masatsune, Awaya Katsuhisa, Kumagai Naoyuki, Yamagata Morinobu, Naito Shigemasa, Shirai Mitsutane, and Shiokawa Nagamitsu.

The Kemari matches featured distinguished participants, each dressed in elaborate court attire:

• First Round Participants:
  • Prince Masahito
  • Asukai Masakatsu: Wore an iridescent 水干_suikan^Japanese (informal court wear) and 葛袴_kuzuhakama^Japanese (hemp trousers).
  • Kanshūji Haruhide: Wore a cypress-bark colored 狩衣_kariginu^Japanese (hunting robe) and 指貫_sashinuki^Japanese (baggy trousers).
  • Takakura Nagasuke: Wore a purple suikan and kuzuhakama.
  • Asukai Masanori: Wore a purple suikan and kuzuhakama.
  • Itsutsuji Tamenaka
  • Niwata Shigeho: Wore a fresh green kariginu and kuzuhakama.
  • Sanjōnishi Saneeda: Wore a white 直衣_noshi^Japanese (outer robe for nobles) and sashinuki.
• Second Round Participants:
  • Kanshūji Harutoyo: Wore a lizard-colored suikan and kuzuhakama.
  • Hino Terusuke: Wore a purple suikan and kuzuhakama.
  • Takeuchi Nagaharu: Wore a fresh green suikan and kuzuhakama.
  • Kanroji Tsunemoto: Wore an iridescent suikan and kuzuhakama.
  • Sanjō Kimihiro: Wore a dark blue suikan with patterns and kuzuhakama.
  • Sanjōnishi Kōmei: Wore a fresh green suikan and kuzuhakama.
  • Asukai Masakatsu
  • Yamashina Tokitsune: Wore a purple suikan and kuzuhakama.
• Third Round Participants:
  • Usu Mochimitsu: Wore a 素襖_suō^Japanese (formal attire for samurai).
  • Minase Chikasuke: Wore fresh green 紋紗_monsha^Japanese (patterned gauze) and kuzuhakama.
  • Hirohashi Kanezo: Wore fresh green monsha.
  • Itsutsuji Genchū: Wore a willow-colored suikan.
  • Madenokōji Mitsufusa: Wore a yellow suikan with green-blue patterns and kuzuhakama.
  • Niwata Shigemichi: Wore a purple suikan and kuzuhakama.
  • Takakura Nagataka: Wore a gold-gauze suikan and kuzuhakama.
  • Nakanoin Michikatsu: Wore a 冠_kanmuri^Japanese (ceremonial cap) and 束帯_sokutai^Japanese (full court dress).
• Fourth Round Participants:
  • Prince Masahito
  • Takakura Nagasuke
  • Sanjōnishi Saneeda
  • Itsutsuji Tamenaka
  • Kanshūji Haruhide
  • Karasumaru Mitsunori: Wore a purple monsha and kuzuhakama.
  • Asukai Masakatsu
  • Asukai Masanori

  

3.1. Posthumous Elevation

Following Prince Masahito's sudden death, his son, Imperial Prince Kazuhito (和仁親王_{Kazuhito-shinnō}^Japanese), who later became Emperor Go-Yōzei, was adopted as Emperor Ōgimachi's son and acceded to the throne in November of the same year (1586). At an unspecified later date, Emperor Go-Yōzei posthumously honored his father with the imperial name 陽光院_Yōkōin^Japanese and the prestigious title of Daijō Tennō (Retired Emperor). This posthumous elevation was crucial for Go-Yōzei, allowing him to claim the "polite fiction" of being the son of an emperor, thus solidifying his imperial legitimacy despite his father's untimely death before enthronement. This act reinforced the imperial line's continuity and authority.

In 1598 (Keichō 3), from August 21 to August 25 (the 20th to 24th day of the 7th month), Buddhist rituals were performed in the Seriyoden of the Imperial Palace to commemorate the 13th anniversary of Prince Masahito's passing, further affirming his elevated status.

3.2. Influence on the Imperial Household

Prince Masahito's most enduring legacy is his direct connection to the modern Japanese Imperial Family. All subsequent emperors and members of the Imperial Family trace their direct male lineage through him, underscoring his pivotal role in the continuity of the imperial line.

His sons also played roles in the political landscape of the time, often through adoption by influential figures. His fifth son, Imperial Prince Priest Kyo-i (興意法親王_{Kōi Hōshinnō}^Japanese), became an adopted son of Oda Nobunaga. His sixth son, Prince Hachijō Toshihito (八条宮 智仁親王_{Hachijō-no-miya Toshihito Shinnō}^Japanese), who founded the Katsura-no-miya house, was adopted by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. While there was a theory that Prince Masahito himself was adopted by Nobunaga, this is believed to be a misunderstanding stemming from both being referred to as "Gomiya" (fifth prince or fifth son) by some. However, contemporary records indicate Prince Masahito was Emperor Ōgimachi's only known surviving son, suggesting that the "Gomiya" reference for Prince Masahito may be inaccurate or refers to something else entirely.

3.3. Controversies and Rumors

Despite his significant role, Prince Masahito's life and death were not without controversy and speculation. As previously mentioned, the suddenness of his death led to various rumors circulating at the time. Some suggested he committed suicide in protest against an alleged affair between Toyotomi Hideyoshi and one of Masahito's concubines, 典侍局_{Naishi no Tsubone}^Japanese. Other rumors implicated Hideyoshi himself, suggesting that he intended to seize the imperial throne. While these remain unsubstantiated rumors, they highlight the political intrigue and volatile atmosphere surrounding the Imperial Court during the late Sengoku period.

Another controversy involved the remarriage of Naishi no Tsubone, also known as Hōjuin Yūshinni. She left Prince Masahito's service in 1582 (Tenshō 10) and subsequently married 顕尊_{Kenzon Sasachō}^Japanese, the second son of Hongan-ji abbot Kennyo. Historian Kirino Sakujin proposed a connection between this marriage and a potential conflict of opinion between Oda Nobunaga, who reportedly supported the marriage, and Prince Masahito, who was passive or opposed. This dispute might have contributed to the imperial disfavor (勅勘_Chokkan^Japanese) suffered by Naishi no Tsubone's relatives - her brother Reizei Tamemitsu, her adoptive brother Shijō Takamasa, and her brother-in-law Yamashina Tokitsune - in 1585 (Tenshō 13). This incident illustrates the complex web of personal, political, and familial relationships that shaped the Imperial Court's dynamics.

4.1. Ancestry

Prince Masahito's direct paternal line can be traced back to Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado, the 103rd emperor. His mother, Fujiwara Fusako, belonged to the prominent Madenokōji clan, a branch of the Fujiwara clan. This lineage underscores his esteemed position within the imperial aristocracy.

4.2. Consorts and Issue

Prince Masahito had multiple consorts and children who played significant roles in the Imperial House and noble families. His primary consort was Kanshūji Haruko.