Prince Munetaka

2.1. Birth and Family

Prince Munetaka was born on December 15, 1242. He was the first son of Emperor Go-Saga and his mother was Taira no Muneko (d. 1302), the daughter of Taira no Munemoto. While he was Emperor Go-Saga's *de facto* eldest son, an older brother, Prince Enjo, had been born when Go-Saga was in a less favorable position and not yet formally recognized, leading to Prince Enjo's eventual entry into monastic life.

2.2. Imperial Status and Education

Despite his mother's relatively lower status, Prince Munetaka was highly favored by his father, Emperor Go-Saga. He was raised under the care of Jōmeimon'in (Gen Zaishi), who acted as his foster parent. In 1244, even after the birth of his half-brother Prince Hisahito (later Emperor Go-Fukakusa), Munetaka received the imperial prince proclamation on January 28, 1244. He later became an adopted son of Shikikenmon'in in 1247 and subsequently established an adopted relationship with Muromachin'in, Shikikenmon'in's niece, the following year. Shikikenmon'in bequeathed her extensive collection of *shōen* (manors), inherited from Go-Takakurin, to Muromachin'in as a lifetime inheritance, with Prince Munetaka designated as the future recipient upon their deaths, as neither had direct heirs. Emperor Go-Saga also attempted to have Senyōmon'in (Princess Kinshi) adopt Munetaka and transfer the Chōkōdō Estate to him, but this request was refused, eventually leading to the estate being transferred to Emperor Go-Fukakusa as a compromise.

Despite his father's affection and his significant inheritance prospects, Prince Munetaka's low maternal status severely limited his chances of imperial succession. However, Emperor Go-Saga remained concerned about his future, and he was not forced to become a monk, ensuring he remained a potential successor in case of unforeseen circumstances. Additionally, at the time, there was political unrest in Kyoto from factions loyal to the deposed Emperor Juntoku, who did not recognize Go-Saga's ascension. Some theories suggest that the presence of multiple imperial princes, including Munetaka, was seen as necessary to counter these opposing factions.

2.3. Political Context of Appointment

The political climate leading to Prince Munetaka's appointment as shogun was marked by the Hōjō clan's growing desire to consolidate its power and remove the influence of the Kujō family from shogunate politics. Kujō Michiie, the grandfather of the fifth shogun Fujiwara no Yoritsugu, held significant sway over both the shogunate and the Sekkan-ke (regent families), raising concerns for Hōjō Tokiyori, the *shikken* (regent). Tokiyori sought to exclude the Kujō family from the political sphere. Simultaneously, Emperor Go-Saga was anxious about Prince Munetaka's future due to his limited imperial succession prospects. The intentions of Emperor Go-Saga, who wished to secure a prominent role for his favored son, and Hōjō Tokiyori, who aimed to solidify Hōjō control by installing a figurehead shogun, converged. This alignment of interests paved the way for the creation of the "Imperial Prince Shogun" system. When Prince Munetaka traveled to Kamakura, he was accompanied by three close attendants: Fujiwara Takashige, Uesugi Shigefusa, and Ishikawa Shinbei Minamoto no Munetada.

3.1. Appointment and Tenure

Following the return of the fifth shogun, Fujiwara no Yoritsugu, to Kyoto, Prince Munetaka was welcomed to Kamakura in April 1252, at the age of ten. He received the imperial decree (宣旨_Senji^Japanese) of Seii Taishōgun from his half-brother, Emperor Go-Fukakusa, who was also young at the time, with actual governance managed by their father, the retired Emperor Go-Saga. The imperial decree for his appointment, as recorded in the historical text 吾妻鏡_{Azuma Kagami}^Japanese, states:

"Third Rank, Prince Munetaka.
By the declaration of the Minister of the Left (鷹司兼平_{Takatsukasa Kanehira}^Japanese), it is hereby decreed that this Prince shall be appointed Seii Taishōgun.
First day of the fourth month, Kenchō 4 (1252).
Presented by Ōgeki (Chief Scribe) Nakahara no Ason Morokane (押小路師兼_{Oshinokōji Morokane}^Japanese)."

Prince Munetaka served as shogun from 1252 to 1266. The Japanese era names (nengō_nengō^Japanese) during his tenure were:

• Kenchō (1249-1257)
• Kōgen (1256-1257)
• Shōka (1257-1259)
• Shōgen (1259-1260)
• Bun'ō (1260-1261)
• Kōchō (1261-1264)
• Bun'ei (1264-1275)

3.2. Role as Puppet Shogun

By the time of Prince Munetaka's appointment, the Kamakura shogunate had already established an autocratic system dominated by the Hōjō clan. As a result, the shogun held no actual political authority. Prince Munetaka was merely a figurehead, a symbolic leader whose actions were dictated by the Hōjō regents. This arrangement allowed the Hōjō to maintain the facade of imperial legitimacy while exercising absolute control over the military government.

3.3. Shikken during Tenure

During Prince Munetaka's shogunate, the following individuals served as *shikken* (regents), holding the true reins of power:

• Hōjō Tokiyori (5th *shikken*), son of Hōjō Tokiuji. He was a member of the Tokusō family and granted the *hen'i* (a character from his name) to his son, Hōjō Tokimune.
• Hōjō Nagatoki (6th *shikken*), son of Hōjō Shigetoki.
• Hōjō Masamura (7th *shikken*), son of Hōjō Yoshitoki.

It is notable that Hōjō Tokimune (8th *shikken*), who later became a powerful figure, assumed the *shikken* position two years after Prince Munetaka's deposition in 1268.

4.1. Waka Poetry

With no real political authority, Prince Munetaka dedicated himself to the composition of Waka poetry. He frequently hosted poetry gatherings, which led to the flourishing of the Kamakura poetry scene, centered around the warrior class. This environment fostered the emergence of many talented poets from the *gokenin* (shogunate retainers), including Gotō Motomasa and Shimazu Tadakage. The Kamakura poetry circle's influence extended to the selection of compilers for the imperial anthology, the *Shoku Kokin Wakashū*. Prince Munetaka himself was the most frequently selected poet in this collection. His representative Waka anthologies include:

• 柳葉和歌集_{Yanagiha Wakashū}^Japanese
• 瓊玉和歌集_{Gyokugyoku Wakashū}^Japanese
• 初心愚草_{Shoshin Gusō}^Japanese

4.2. Calligraphy

Prince Munetaka is also recognized as a skilled calligrapher. Several works are attributed to his hand, including:

• 有栖川切_{Arisugawa-gire}^Japanese
• 催馬楽切_{Saimonraku-gire}^Japanese
• 古今集切_{Kokinshū-gire}^Japanese
• 神楽歌切_{Kagurauta-gire}^Japanese

While many works are attributed to him, the authenticity of some is uncertain, as they may include famous calligraphies from the Heian period that he admired or owned. Nevertheless, his reputation as a master calligrapher remains undisputed.

5.1. Circumstances of Deposition

In June 1263, an announcement was made for Prince Munetaka to make an imperial visit to Kyoto as Seii Taishōgun, with a list of accompanying *gokenin* and a departure date from Kamakura set for October 3. However, on August 25, the visit was suddenly canceled. Officially, the reason given was natural disaster, but the primary underlying cause was likely the significant economic burden it would place on the *gokenin*. Deeper interpretations suggest concerns over the deteriorating health of the former *shikken* Hōjō Tokiyori (who died on November 22 of that year), or even a suspected plot by Tsuchimikado Akikata, a *gon-dainagon* and a maternal relative of the retired Emperor Go-Saga who was in Kamakura, to incite Prince Munetaka to orchestrate a political coup in Kyoto.

In September 1265, Prince Munetaka was promoted to Isshinshinnō (First Rank Imperial Prince) and appointed as Nakatsukasa-kyō (Minister of Central Affairs). This promotion reflected his recognition as an imperial family member who supported the retired Emperor Go-Saga, alongside the retired Emperor Go-Fukakusa and Emperor Kameyama.

By March 1266, at the age of 25, Prince Munetaka's private envoy, Fujiwara Chika, traveled to Kyoto. Upon Chika's return on June 5, he conveyed a private admonition from the retired Emperor Go-Saga to Munetaka concerning his principal wife, Konoe Saiko. On June 19, Suwa Morinaga arrived in Kyoto as a shogunate envoy. The following day, a "Secret Deliberation" (深秘の御沙汰_{Shinpi no On-sata}^Japanese) was held by the *shikken* Hōjō Masamura, the *rensho* (co-signer) Hōjō Tokimune (who was also the Tokusō), Hōjō Sanetoki, and Adachi Yasumori. On the same day, Matsudono Sōjō Ryōki, a shogunate Buddhist monk, mysteriously left the palace and fled. By June 23, Saiko and their daughter, Princess Rinshi, abruptly moved into Tokimune's Yamauchi residence, and their heir, Prince Koreyasu, was also moved to Tokimune's residence. This unexplained commotion caused *gokenin* to rush to Kamakura. On July 4, Nagoshi-ryū Hōjō Noritoki led armed forces in a show of defiance, which Tokimune reprimanded as reckless (Noritoki's actions contributed to his eventual purge during the February Incident later). On the same day, Prince Munetaka moved to Hōjō Tokimori's residence by palanquin, and on July 8, he was sent back to Kyoto.

The precise reasons for Prince Munetaka's dismissal as shogun and his return to Kyoto remain unclear. One prevailing view suggests that an alleged affair between his principal wife, Konoe Saiko, and the monk Ryōki was used as a pretext to accuse Prince Munetaka of rebellion, leading to the decision for his removal and return to Kyoto. Another theory speculates that Prince Munetaka attempted to divorce Saiko without consulting his father, the retired Emperor Go-Saga, who disapproved, and that this unilateral action by Munetaka, without consultation with the *shikken* and *rensho*, led to his isolation and eventual downfall.

5.2. Return to Kyoto and Family Relations

Prince Munetaka arrived in Kyoto on July 20, 1266, and stayed at Hōjō Tokishige's Rokuhara residence. Upon learning of his return, his parents, Emperor Go-Saga and Jōmeimon'in, publicly disowned him, as recorded in the 外記日記_{Geki Nikki}^Japanese and 五代帝王物語_{Godai Teiō Monogatari}^Japanese. On July 24, Prince Koreyasu was appointed as the next shogun in Kamakura. In October, Munetaka moved to the former residence of Jōmeimon'in.

Upon realizing that Emperor Go-Saga had disowned his son, the shogunate dispatched Mutō Kageyori in November to mediate with Go-Saga. The shogunate also sent Saiko and Rinshi back to Kyoto and donated five *shōen* (manors) for Munetaka's future sustenance, clearly indicating that they would not pursue further charges against him. Prince Munetaka finally met with his father, Go-Saga, in December.

5.3. Later Life and Becoming Monk

On September 4, 1267, Konoe Saiko took Buddhist vows. In 1270, Horikawa no Tsubone, a consort of Prince Munetaka and daughter of Horikawa Tomomori, gave birth to his second son, Prince Hayata-no-miya Shinkaku. In February 1272, during the 'February Incident' (二月騒動_{Nigatsu Sōdō}^Japanese), his close aide, Nakakado Sanetaka, was arrested. Shortly thereafter, following the death of his father, the retired Emperor Go-Saga, Prince Munetaka entered the Buddhist priesthood. His monastic names were Kakue (覚恵_Kakue^Japanese), Gyōshō (行証_Gyōshō^Japanese), or Gyōshō (行勝_Gyōshō^Japanese). In the same year, Horikawa no Tsubone also gave birth to his second daughter, Princess Mizuko-joō.

8.1. Historical Evaluation

Prince Munetaka holds a significant place in Japanese history as the first imperial prince to be appointed shogun. His ascension marked a pivotal moment, as the Hōjō clan, having effectively sidelined the Fujiwara regents, now sought to further legitimize their rule by installing a member of the imperial family as a figurehead. This move solidified the Hōjō's absolute control, demonstrating their ability to manipulate even the highest echelons of the imperial court for their political ends. His rule, however, had limited direct impact on governance, as he wielded no real political power, serving merely as a symbolic leader under the Hōjō's autocratic system. His appointment underscored the complete subordination of the shogunate to the Hōjō regents.

8.2. Cultural Impact

Despite his political limitations, Prince Munetaka's cultural contributions were substantial and enduring. His dedication to Waka poetry fostered a vibrant poetry scene in Kamakura, attracting and nurturing talented poets from the warrior class. His influence on the compilation of the imperial anthology, the *Shoku Kokin Wakashū*, and his prominent inclusion within it, cemented his legacy as a significant figure in the history of Japanese poetry. Furthermore, his skill as a calligrapher, even if some attributed works are of uncertain authenticity, reinforces his reputation as a cultured and artistically inclined imperial prince. His artistic pursuits provided a realm where he could exert genuine influence and leave a lasting mark, contrasting sharply with his constrained political role.

8.3. Controversies

Prince Munetaka's deposition was shrouded in controversy, highlighting the ruthless political machinations of the Hōjō clan. The alleged affair between his wife, Konoe Saiko, and the monk Ryōki, which served as the official pretext for his removal, is widely seen as a fabricated excuse by the Hōjō to justify their decision. This incident underscores the Hōjō's willingness to employ any means, including character assassination and manufactured scandal, to maintain and consolidate their power. The political maneuvering surrounding his planned imperial visit to Kyoto in 1263, which was abruptly canceled, also suggests deeper political anxieties within the shogunate regarding his potential influence or perceived threats to Hōjō authority. Furthermore, the 'February Incident' of 1272, which saw the arrest of his close aide, Nakakado Sanetaka, demonstrates the Hōjō's continued vigilance and suppression of any perceived opposition or independent action, even from a deposed imperial prince. His isolation from the shogunate, despite his imperial status, reveals the extent of the Hōjō's dominance and their effective neutralization of any potential rival power centers.

8.4. Granted Hen'i

As a prominent figure, Prince Munetaka engaged in the practice of granting a character from his name, known as *hen'i*, to retainers and other significant individuals, a practice that signified a master-disciple or patron-client relationship. Notable figures who received a character from Prince Munetaka's name include:

• Hōjō Tokimune: The future 8th *shikken*, Tokimune underwent his genpuku (coming-of-age ceremony) with Prince Munetaka as his 烏帽子親_eboshioya^Japanese (sponsor), receiving a character from the Prince's name.
• Hōjō Yoshimune: From the Akahashi Hōjō clan, Yoshimune also received a character from Prince Munetaka. The heads of the Akahashi Hōjō clan maintained a generational 烏帽子親子_{eboshioya-eboshigo}^Japanese (sponsor-sponsored) relationship with imperial prince shoguns.
• Yūki Muneshige: Also known as Ōuchi Muneshige, he was granted a character from Prince Munetaka's name.