Emperor Kameyama (亀山天皇) (July 9, 1249 – October 4, 1305) was the 90th Emperor of Japan. He reigned from January 9, 1259 until March 6, 1274. His personal name was Tsunehito (恒仁)

Genealogy

He was the 7th son of Emperor Go-Saga

• Empress (Kōgō) Tōin (Fujiwara) Kichiko? (洞院（藤原）佶子)
  • First daughter: Imperial Princess Mekenko? (目見子内親王)
  • First son: Imperial Prince Tomohito? (知仁親王)
  • Second son: Imperial Prince Yohito (世仁親王) (Emperor Go-Uda)
• Empress (Chūgū - a lower rank than Kōgō) Saionji (Fujiwara) Yoshiko? (西園寺（藤原）嬉子)
• Court Lady: Konoe (Fujiwara) Takako? (近衛（藤原）位子)
  • Eighth son: Imperial Prince Hiroyoshi? (啓仁親王)
  • Tenth son: Imperial Prince ??hito (継仁親王)
• Lady-in-waiting: Eldest daughter of Sanjō (Fujiwara) Sanehira? (三条（藤原）実平)
  • Fourth son: Prince Ryōsuke? (良助法親王) (Buddhist Priest)
  • Sixth son: Prince Shōun? (聖雲法親王) (Buddhist Priest)
  • Seventh son: Prince ?? (覚雲法親王) (Buddhist Priest)
  • Fifth daughter: Wife of Kujō ?? (九条師教)
• Lady-in-waiting: Fujiwara Masako? (藤原雅子)
  • Second daughter: Imperial Princess Māko) (憙子内親王) - Empress Dowager Teruyoshi?　(昭慶門院)
• Lady in waiting: Daughter of ?? (平時仲)
  • Ninth son: Prince Junsuke? (順助法親王) (Buddhist Priest)
  • Eleventh son: Prince Jidō? (慈道法親王) (Buddhist Priest)
  • Twentieth (twelfth?) son: Prince Gyōen (行円法親王) (Buddhist Priest)

Names

Other names he had were:

• Kingōgen? (金剛源) - his name as a monk
• Zenrinji-dono (禅林寺殿) - Literally "Lord Zen-Temple" From the fact that he had a Zen temple in the north wing of his Imperial Villa
• Madenokōji-dono (from his residence)
• Bun'ō Kōtei (From the era name; Kōtei is another word for Emperor)

The name Kameyama comes from the location of his tomb.

Life

In 1258, he became Crown Prince, in 1259 he became Emperor upon the abdication of his elder brother Go-Fukakusa, thanks to his father, the Retired Emperor Emperor Go-Saga's influence.

In 1263, during the Kamakura Rebellion, the 6th Shōgun, Imperial Prince Munetaka (eldest son of Emperor Go-Saga) was recalled from Kamakura to be replaced by his son Imperial Prince Koreyasu (age 2).

In 1265 a delegation arrived from Kublai Khan. On its way to Japan, they looted islands.

In 1274, abdicating to his son, Go-Uda, he began his reign as cloistered Emperor.

During his time as Cloistered Emperor, the Mongols invaded twice. Kameyama personally prayed at the Grand Shrine at Ise.

However, the Bakufu watched Kameyama with suspicion, and in 1287, encouraged Go-Uda to abdicate, and pushed for the enthronement of Go-Fukakusa's son, who became Emperor Fushimi. Kameyama's cloistered rule was suspended by this.

Later, Imperial Prince Hisa'aki, Emperor Go-Fukakusa's son, became Shōgun strengthening the position of the Jimyōin-tō . This caused Kameyama to become despondent, and in 1289 he entered the priesthood, joining the Zen sect. Because of this, Zen Buddhism slowly penetrated into the Court Nobility.

In 1291, he helped establish the Buddhist temple Nanzen-ji in Kyōto.

In 1305, he passed away.

Eras of his reign

• Shōgen
• Bun'ō
• Kōchō
• Bun'ei