Emperor Ōgimachi (正親町天皇) (June 18, 1517 - February 6, 1593) was the 106th imperial ruler of Japan. He reigned from October 27?, 1557 to December 17, 1586, corresponding to the transition between the Warring States Era and the Azuchi-Momoyama period. His personal name was Michihito (方仁).

Genealogy

Ōgimachi was the first son of Emperor Go-Nara

• Lady-in-waiting: Madenokōji (Fujiwara) Fusako (万里小路（藤原）房子)
  • Second daughter: Princess Eitaka (永高女王)
  • Fifth son: Imperial Prince Masahito (?) (誠仁親王)
    • First son: Imperial Prince Kazuhito (和仁親王) (became Emperor Go-Yōzei

Life

Ōgimachi became Emperor upon the death of Emperor Go-Nara. The ceremonies surrounding his coronation were made possibly by a donation from Mōri Motonari and others. In this way, the finances of the Imperial Family were greatly strained. The authority of the Imperial Court also began to fall, but Oda Nobunaga, entering Kyōto changed this situation. Frequently using the Emperor as a mediator when fighting enemies, Oda Nobunaga brought peace to Japan. However, by around 1573, Oda Nobunaga came to frequently demand the Emperor's abdication, but the Emperor refused.

Before political power was transferred to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, in order to take advantage of the Emperor's authority, the power of the Imperial Family was increased. In this way, Hideyoshi and the Imperial Family entered into a mutually beneficial relationship.

In 1586, he abdicated in favor of his grandson, Imperial Prince Katahito (周仁親王), who became the Go-Yōzei Emperor. Ōgimachi retired to the Sennōda Palace. On February 6, 1593, he passed away.

During this Emperor's reign, with the assistance of Oda Nobunaga and Hideyoshi Toyotomi, the Imperial Family was able to halt the decline it had been in since the Ōnin War, and began a time of recovery.

Eras of his reign

• kōji
• Eiroku
• Genki
• Tenshō