Emperor Go-Horikawa (後堀河天皇) (March 22, 1212 - August 31, 1234) was the 86th imperial ruler of Japan. He ruled from July 29, 1221 to October 26 (?), 1232. His personal name was Yutahito (茂仁)

Genealogy

The third son of Imperial Prince Morisada (守貞親王) (Go-Takakura-in, 後高倉院), the second son of Emperor Takakura

• Empress (Jingū): Sanjō (Fujiwara) Yūko? (三条（藤原）有子)
• Empress (Chūgū): Konoe (Fujiwara) ?? (近衛（藤原）長子)
• Empress (Chūgū): Kujō (Fujiwara) ?ko (九条（藤原）竴子)
  • First son: Imperial Prince Mitsuhito (秀仁親王) (Emperor Shijō)
  • Fourth daughter: Imperial Princess ??ko (日韋子内親王)
• Lady-in-waiting: Daughter of Jimyōin (Fujiwara) Ieyuki (持明院（藤原）家行)
  • First daughter: Imperial Princess Teruko? (暉子内親王)
  • Second daughter: Imperial Princess ??ko (体子内親王)
• Lady-in-waiting: Daughter of Fujiwara Kaneyoshi (藤原兼良)
  • Third daughter: Imperial Princess ??ko (昱子内親王)

Life

In 1221, because of the Jōkyū Incident, an unsuccessful attempt by Emperor Go-Toba to seize real power, the Kamakura shogunate completely excluded those of the Imperial Family descended from Go-Toba from the throne. The shogun forced Emperor Chūkyō off the throne. After the Gempei War, the grandson of the late Emperor Takakura, who was also the son of Retired Emperor Antoku's younger brother and Chūkyō's cousin, was enthroned as Go-Horikawa.

As Go-Horikawa was only 9 years old at this time, his father Imperial Prince Morisada reigned as cloistered Emperor under the name Go-Takakura-in.

In 1232, he began his own cloistered rule, abdicating to his 1-year-old son, Emperor Shijō. However, being of a weak constitution, his cloistered rule lasted just under 2 years before he died.

Eras of his reign

• Jōkyū
• Jōō
• Gennin
• Karoku
• Antei
• Kanki
• Jōei