was the 82nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1183 through 1198.
This 12th-century sovereign was named after Emperor Toba, and go- (後), translates literally as "later"; and thus, he is sometimes called the "Later Emperor Toba". The Japanese word go has also been translated to mean the "second one"; and in some older sources, this emperor may be identified as "Toba the Second" or as "Toba II".
Genealogy
Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name (his imina) was . He was also known as Takanari-shinnō
He was the fourth son of Emperor Takakura, and thus grandson of Emperor Go-Shirakawa. His mother was Bōmon Shokushi (坊門殖子) (Empress Dowager Shichijō-in, 七条院), daughter of Bōmon Nobutaka (坊門信隆) of the Fujiwara clan.
Consorts and children
Empress (chūgū): Fujiwara no Ninshi/Takako (藤原任子) later Gishūmon-in (宜秋門院), Kujō Kanezane‘s daughter First Daughter: Imperial Princess Shōshi (昇子内親王) later Shunkamon-in (春華門院, 1195–1211) – unmarried Empress as adopted mother of Emperor Juntoku Consort: Minamoto no Zaishi/Ariko (源在子) later Shomeimon-in (承明門院; 1171–1257), Minamoto no Michichika‘s adopted daughter and priest Nōen‘s daughter First Son: Imperial Prince Tamehito (為仁親王) later Emperor Tsuchimikado Consort: Fujiwara no Shigeko (藤原重子) later Shumeimon-in (修明門院; 1182–1264), Takakura Norisue‘s daughter Third Son: Imperial Prince Morinari (守成親王) later Emperor Juntoku Imperial Prince Masanari (雅成親王) (exiled after Jōkyū War) Imperial Prince Priest Sonkai (尊快法親王, 1204–1246) – Head Priest of Enryaku-ji Temple (Tendai Zasu, 天台座主) Court lady: Bōmon no Tsubone (坊門局), Bōmon Nobukiyo‘s daughter Imperial Prince Nagahito (長仁親王, 1196–1249) later Imperial Prince Priest Dōjo (道助法親王), become 8th Head priest of Ninna-ji Temple Third Daughter: Imperial Princess Reishi (礼子内親王; 1200–1273) later Kayōmon-in (嘉陽門院) Imperial Prince Yorihito (頼仁親王, 1201–1264) (exiled after Jōkyū Incident) Court lady: Hyōe-no-kami no Tsubone (兵衛督局), Minamoto no Nobuyasu‘s daughter Second Daughter: Imperial Princess Shukushi (粛子内親王; b.1196) (Takatsuji Saigū, 高辻斎宮) – Saiō at Ise Shrine 1199–1210 Court lady: Owari no Tsubone (尾張局, d.1204), priest Kensei‘s daughter Imperial Prince Dōkaku (道覚法親王; 1204–1250) – Head Priest of Enryaku-ji Temple (Tendai Zasu, 天台座主) Court lady: Ōmiya no Tsubone (大宮局), Fujiwara no Sadayoshi‘s daughter Imperial Prince Son'en (尊円法親王; 1207–1231) – Head Priest of Miidera Temple Gyōetsu (行超) – priest in Emryakuji Temple Court lady: Shonagon no Suke (少納言典侍) Dōshu (道守) – priest Court lady: Kamegiku (亀菊), a dancer (Shirabyōshi) Court lady: Taki (滝; d.1265), a dancer (Shirabyōshi) Imperial Prince Kakunin (覚仁法親王) (1198–1266) – Head priest of Onjō-ji Temple Court lady: Tamba no Tsubone (丹波局), Ishi (石), a dancer (Shirabyōshi) Imperial Princess Hiroko (煕子内親王, b.1205) – Saiō served at Ise Shrine during the reigns of Emperor Juntoku and Emperor Chūkyō 1215–1221 Court lady: Himehōshi (姫法師), a dancer (Shirabyōshi) Kakuyo (覚誉) – priest Dōi (道伊) – priest in Onjō-ji Temple Dōen (道縁) – priest in Ninna-ji Temple Mother Unknown: Son: Prince Ichijo (一条宮, 1201-1213) princess (1202-1207)
Events of Go-Toba's life
Go-Toba took the throne at the age of three. September 8, 1183 (Juei 2, 20th day of the 8th month): In the 3rd year of Antoku-tennōs reign (安徳天皇三年), the emperor fled the capital rather than give in to pressures for his abdication. In Antoku's absence, the cloistered former-Emperor Go-Shirakawa then elevated his young brother by decree; and the young child was given the acceptance of abdication (juzen) rites. The anti-Taira faction intended that the succession ('‘senso'’) was received; and shortly thereafter, Emperor Go-Toba is said to have acceded to the throne ('‘sokui'’).
Although these formal rites and ceremonies were taking place in Heian-kyō, the imperial regalia were still held by Antoku. Thus, the senso and sokui of Go-Toba became the first in history to omit the ritual transmission of the sacred treasures from a sovereign to his successor.
In 1192 Go-Shirakawa died and the first shogunate was established by Minamoto no Yoritomo, and the emperor became a figurehead.
In 1198, Go-Toba abdicated in favor of his son, Emperor Tsuchimikado.
Go-Toba reigned as cloistered Emperor from 1198 till 1221 during reigns of three emperors, but his power was more limited than former cloistered Emperors in the Heian period.