The Life of Emperor Juntoku
1197 (8th year of Kenkyu)
He was born as the third son of Emperor Gotoba. His name was Morinari, later known as Sado-in. His mother was Shigeko (later known as Shumeimon-in), and his wet nurse was his second cousin, Fujiwara no Noriko.
1199 (First year of Shōji)
He was intelligent from an early age and his mother was a favorite of Emperor Gotoba, so he became a prince, and the following year, at the age of four, he was appointed crown prince.
1210 (4th year of Shogen)
By order of Emperor Gotoba, he abdicated from Emperor Tsuchimikado and became the 84th Emperor at the age of just 14.
Emperor Juntoku, who was not involved in government affairs, is said to have devoted himself to studying court customs (precedents and examples of court and noble ceremonies, official positions, laws, annual events, military battles, etc.) and to learning the mysteries of waka theory, poetry, and music. By the third year of Jokyu, he had written "Kinpisho," a commentary in classical Chinese on court events, customs, and systems. The purpose of this was said to be to clarify the actual circumstances of court events, ceremonies, and government affairs in order to promote imperial prestige in opposition to the Kamakura shogunate.
His dedication to waka poetry is said to have stemmed from the strong influence of his father, and from an early age he participated in poetry gatherings with Fujiwara no Ietaka and others, honing his talent for poetry.
His maternal grandfather, Takakura Noriyoshi, was known to be a supporter of the semi-official government (Minamoto no Yoshitsune), and his maternal grandmother's close aide, Taira no Noriko, was the daughter of Taira no Norimori, Kiyomori's half-brother, and it can be said that he was raised in an anti-Shogunate environment from an early age. Due to this environment and his own personality, he enthusiastically participated in Emperor Gotoba's plan to overthrow the Shogunate.
1221 (3rd year of Jōkyū)
April: He abdicates to his son, Kanenari, and retires to the position of retired emperor, preparing to overthrow the shogunate.
Emperor Gotoba issued an imperial decree to pursue the regent Hojo Yoshitoki and raised an army. However, contrary to the expectations of the Emperor, no eastern warrior responded to the order to pursue. Instead, the Shogunate forces led by Hojo Yoshitoki marched to Kyoto in large numbers, and as a result, Kyoto was occupied by the Shogunate forces just one month after the order was given, and the subjugation failed.
Emperor Gotoba was exiled to the island of Oki, and Emperor Juntoku was also exiled to Sado.
1241 (3rd year of Ninji)
September: After 21 years on the island, he passed away at the age of 46, despairing that his wish to return to the capital was not fulfilled.
1249 (First year of Kencho)
July: Posthumously given the title "Juntokuin."
Although the environment in Sado was said to have been harsh, he found emotional support in waka poetry and academics, and left behind works such as "Juntokuin Goshu" and "Yakumo Gosho."
Hyakunin Isshu No. 100
"Momoshiki and the old eaves
There is still much to remember about that time. It was a long time ago.
When he was about 20 years old, his conflict with the Kamakura Shogunate intensified, and he wrote this poem expressing his feelings about the decline of the changing world.
Forgotten Chrysanthemum
"How could we have made such a promise to the white chrysanthemum? How sad to call it "Miyako-wasure" (Forget the Capital)"
I long for the sky of the faraway city that I cannot forget no matter how hard I try, and I fall in love with the nameless Kogiku.
Another name for Miyamayomena, a perennial plant of the Asteraceae family.
He wrote this poem after seeing these flowers that he had planted around the Imperial Palace after being exiled.
Remembering Oki
"Now, let us ask the waves that are crashing on the shore, what is happening in your hometown?"
This poem was written in honour of Emperor Gotoba, who was exiled to the island of Oki.
Death poem
"I never thought I'd be looking up at the clouds and rotting away in the cove of Mano."
He lamented the loss of his capital and his imperial throne, and his fate of rotting away on a distant island.