| Emperor Sukō | |
| Succession: | 3rd Northern Emperor |
| Reign: | November 18, 1348 – November 26, 1351 |
| Coronation: | February 3, 1350 |
| Cor-Type: | Japan |
| Predecessor: | Kōmyō |
| Successor: | Go-Kōgon |
| Posthumous Name: | Tsuigō
|
| Issue: | See list |
| Royal House: | Imperial House of Japan |
| Father: | Emperor Kōgon |
| Mother: | Sanjō Shūshi |
| Birth Date: | May 25, 1334 |
| Place Of Burial: | Daikōmyō-ji no Misasagi (大光明寺陵) |
(May 25, 1334 – January 31, 1398) was the third of the Emperors of Northern Court during the Period of the Northern and Southern Courts in Japan. According to pre-Meiji scholars, his reign spanned the years from 1348 through 1351.[1]
His personal name was originally Masuhito (益仁), but was later changed to Okihito (興仁).
His father was Emperor Kōgon. His predecessor, Emperor Kōmyō was his uncle, the younger brother of Emperor Kōgon.
Sukō occupied the Chrysanthemum Throne from 18 November 1348 until 22 November 1351.[2]
In 1348, he became Crown Prince. In the same year, he became Northern Emperor upon the abdication of Emperor Kōmyō. Although Emperor Kōgon ruled as a cloistered Emperor, the rivalry between Ashikaga Takauji and Ashikaga Tadayoshi began, and in 1351, Takauji returned to the allegiance of the Southern Court, forcing Emperor Sukō to abdicate. This was intended to reunify the Imperial Line.
However, the peace soon fell apart, and in April 1352, the Southern Dynasty evacuated Kyoto, abducting with them Retired (Northern) Emperors Emperor Kōgon and Emperor Kōmyō as well as Emperor Sukō and the Crown Prince Tadahito. Because of this, Takauji made Emperor Kōgon's second son Imperial Prince Iyahito emperor (First Fushimi-no-miya).[2]
Returning to Kyoto in 1357, Emperor Sukō's son Imperial Prince Yoshihito began to work with the Bakufu to be named Crown Prince, but the Bakufu instead decided to make Emperor Go-Kōgon's son (the future Emperor Go-En'yū) Crown Prince instead.
In 1398, Emperor Sukō died. But, 30 years after his death, in 1428, his great-grandson Hikohito (彦仁), as the adopted son of Emperor Shōkō, became Emperor Go-Hanazono, fulfilling Sukō's dearest wish. Sukō is enshrined at the Daikōmyōji no misasagi (大光明寺陵) in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto.
Nanboku-chō Southern court
Nanboku-chō Northern court