Emperor Go-Saga

Emperor Go-Saga (1220–1272), the 88th emperor of Japan, reigned from 1242 to 1246. A son of Emperor Tsuchimikado, he was placed on the throne after the ten-year-old Emperor Shijō died, the Kamakura shogunate rejecting a candidate from Retired Emperor Juntoku's line.

In 1246 he abdicated to his son Emperor Go-Fukakusa and ruled as cloistered emperor, forcing Go-Fukakusa aside in 1259 in favour of his younger son Emperor Kameyama. Rivalry between the two brothers' descendants produced the Jimyōin-tō and Daikakuji-tō lines and later the Northern and Southern Courts.