Emperor Hanazono

Emperor at the end of the Kamakura period (reigned 1308-1318). Third son of Emperor Fushimi. His mother was Fujiwara no Suiko (Kenshinmon'in). His name was Tomhito. Amidst the fierce conflict between the Daikakuji and Jimyoin lines, he became the adopted son of his elder brother Emperor Gofushimi, and in August 1301 (Shoan 3), he became crown prince, ascended to the throne in August 1308 (Enkei 1), and ascended to the throne in November of the same year. In February 1318 (Bunpo 2), his 11th year on the throne, he abdicated to Emperor Godaigo of the Daikakuji line, and became Retired Emperor. In November 1305 (Kenmu 2), he shaved his hair and lived in Hagiwara Palace. His posthumous name was Hengyo. He died on November 11, 3rd year of the Shohei era. The proposal for the establishment of a new emperor, the so-called Bunpo peace negotiations, took place in April 1317, during his reign.

The Emperor loved learning from an early age, and his diary shows that he read through the records of past emperors, Japanese and Chinese historical texts, Laozi and Zhuangzi, and many other schools of thought. He loved poetry and selected the "Fugashu" himself. He also studied Song Buddhism, and would always gather nobles and close retainers to hold academic discussions and provide critical guidance. This helped him to change the bad habit of boasting only about knowledge and erudition, and to practice the way of the way. He wrote works such as "Gakudo no Ki" and "Kaitaishisho" that explain the royal way. He was well versed in Buddhism, and showed insight into the Nembutsu and Zen sects, but he was particularly drawn to Zen, and asked Shuho Myocho about its teachings, giving him the title of Kozen Daito Kokushi. In 1337 (2nd year of Engen), he donated the Hagiwara Palace and established Myoshinji Temple, with Kanzan Egen, the successor of Myocho, as its founder. His tomb is at Jyurakuin Joryo in Kyoto. The Emperor's diary is a valuable historical document that contains many important historical articles.

[Hiromi Tanaka]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

鎌倉末期の天皇（在位1308～18）。伏見(ふしみ)天皇第三皇子。母は藤原季子（顕親門院）。名は富仁(とみひと)。大覚寺(だいかくじ)統・持明院(じみょういん)統の厳しい対立のなかで、兄の後伏見(ごふしみ)天皇の猶子(ゆうし)となり、1301年（正安3）8月皇太子にたち、08年（延慶1）8月践祚(せんそ)、同11月に即位する。在位11年目の18年（文保2）2月に位を大覚寺統の後醍醐(ごだいご)天皇に譲り、太上(だいじょう)天皇となる。35年（建武2）11月、薙髪(ちはつ)して萩原殿に居す。法名遍行。正平(しょうへい)3年11月11日没。両統迭立(てつりつ)の案、いわゆる文保(ぶんぽう)の和談は治世中の文保元年（1317）4月のことである。

　天皇は幼少より学問を好み、歴代天皇の記録や和漢の史書、老荘をはじめ諸子百家にわたって読破したことがその日記にみえる。詩歌を好み『風雅(ふうが)集』を自ら撰(えら)んでいる。また宋(そう)学をよくし、つねに公卿(くぎょう)や近臣を集めて学を講論させ批評指導にあたった。これによって、強識博聞のみを誇る弊風を改め、道の行われんことを期していた。『学道之記』『誡太子書』など王道を説いた著作がある。仏教に通暁し、念仏宗や禅宗に卓見を示したが、とくに禅にひかれ宗峰妙超(しゅうほうみょうちょう)に法を問い、興禅大燈(だいとう)国師の号を与えた。1337年（延元2）には萩原殿を寄進し、妙超の法嗣(はっす)の関山慧玄(かんざんえげん)を開山として妙心寺を開建した。陵墓は京都十楽院上陵。なお天皇の日記は、歴史上重要な記事を多く含む貴重な史料である。

［田中博美］

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