Background
Godaigo Tennō was born on November 26, 1288 in Kyoto.Godaigo Tennō was the second son of Emperor Gouda (Daikakuji-tō ) and his consort Tadako Fujiwara, daughter of Fujiwara no Tadatsugu. His older brother was Emperor Go-Nijō. His original name was Takaharu.
Career
Godaigo Tennō ascended the throne in 1318. He waged two wars in an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow the Kamakura Shogunate, in 1324 and 1331. The Shogunate exiled him to Oki Island (Shimane Prefecture) but he later succeeded in restoring the Imperial rule temporary in 1334 in the Kemmu Era, with the support of loyal warriors. This was called Kemmu-no-Chuko or Kemmu Restoration. His rule, however, lasted only briefly because of the revolt of Takauji Ashikaga, who took Kyoto and forced the emperor to flee to Mt. Yoshino. His reign lasted 21 years.