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Takahira, Emperor Go-Toba
Historical Figure
Nationality: Japan
Year of Birth: 1180
Year of Death: 1239
Cause of Death: Natural causes
Religion: Buddhism
House: Yamato
Political Office(s): Emperor of Japan
Fictional Appearances:
"Character"
Metafictional Fantasy
Type of Appearance: Contemporary reference
Takahira, who reigned as Emperor Go-Toba (後鳥羽天皇, Go-Toba-tennō, August 6, 1180 – March 28, 1239), was the 82nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1183 through 1198.

Takahira ascended to the throne as a child during a period of intense upheaval in the country, as the Minamoto clan attempted to replace the Taira clan's position in the emperor's inner circle. By 1185, the Minamoto, under the lead of Minamoto no Yoritomo, had completely vanquished the Taira clan, and established themselves in the imperial court. In 1192, Go-Toba made Minamoto no Yoritomo shogun, who in turn made the position of shogun the military head of government and dictator of the country under Kamakura shogunate. Go-Toba was reduced to a mere figurehead.

Go-Toba abdicated in 1198, and became a "cloistered emperor", maintaining a measure of de facto power even if he was no longer the de jure emperor. In 1221, he attempted to overthrow the Kamakura shogunate, but was defeated and sent into exile on the Oki Islands, where he died in 1239.

Takahira, Emperor Go-Toba in "Character"[]

Steve, a fictional character who understood he was fictional, was sent back in time to medieval Japan by his author. His mind inhabited the body of the legendary Benkei concurrently with the period of time when Minamoto Yoritomo's became shogun and reduced the Emperor to a mere figurehead.[1]

References[]

  1. Magazine of Fantasy and Science Fiction, March/April 2021
Royal offices
(OTL)
Preceded by
Emperor Antoku
Emperor of Japan
1183–1198
Succeeded by
Emperor Tsuchimikado
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