| Emperor Kōmyō 光明天皇 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2ndNorthern Emperor | |||||
| Reign | 20 September 1336 – 18 November 1348 | ||||
| Enthronement | 19 January 1338 | ||||
| Predecessor | Kōgon | ||||
| Successor | Sukō | ||||
| Born | 11 January 1322 | ||||
| Died | 26 July 1380(1380-07-26) (aged 58) | ||||
| Burial | Daikōmyō-ji no Misasagi (大光明寺) | ||||
| |||||
| House | Imperial House of Japan | ||||
| Father | Emperor Go-Fushimi | ||||
| Mother | Saionji (Fujiwara) Neishi | ||||
Emperor Kōmyō (光明天皇,Kōmyō Tennō) (11 January 1322 – 26 July 1380) was the second of theEmperors of Northern Court, although he was the first to be supported by theAshikaga Bakufu. According to pre-Meiji scholars, his reign spanned the years from 1336 through 1348.[1]
His personal name wasYutahito (豊仁), second son ofEmperor Go-Fushimi. His mother wasNeishi (寧子), the daughter ofSaionji Kinhira [ja] (西園寺公衡)
In his own lifetime, Kōmyō and those around him believed that he occupied theChrysanthemum Throne from 20 September 1336 to 18 November 1348.
WhenAshikaga Takauji rebelled againstEmperor Go-Daigo'sKenmu Restoration and enteredKyōto in 1336, Go-Daigo fled toEnryaku-ji onMount Hiei. Despite lacking thesacred treasures, Prince Yutahito was enthroned as emperor, beginning the Northern Court. On the 12th month, 21st day, Go-Daigo escaped to Yoshino, founding the Southern Court.
On 18 November 1348, he abdicated in favor of the eldest son of his older brother, the former claimant to the throneEmperor Kōgon, who becameEmperor Sukō.
In April 1352, taking advantage of the Kan'ō Disturbance, a family feud in the Ashikaga clan, the Southern EmperorEmperor Go-Murakami entered Kyoto, capturing it and carrying away Kōmyō along with Emperor Kōgon,Emperor Sukō, and the Crown Prince Tadahito. They all ended up finally in Anau, the location of the Southern Court.[2]
In theShōhei Reunification, Kōmyō and his companions were placed under house arrest inYamato Province, in what is today the village ofNishiyoshino,Yoshino District,Nara. In 1355, returning toKyōto, he entered a monastery.
The years of Kōmyō's reign are more specifically identified by more than oneera name ornengō.[4]

| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Northern Emperor 1336–1348 | Succeeded by |