後鳥羽上皇 - GOTOBA

In the Sanin Area, we can see many historical and wonderful sights. The Oki Islands are a part of the Sanin District and have a long and interesting history. This is because they were the site of exile for prisoners who were too important to kill.

ここ山陰は、優れた歴史的名所や美しい風景に恵まれています。この地方の一部を成す隠岐も、悠久の歴史に包まれ、興味尽きることのない場所です。これは、隠岐が、極刑に処すことの出来ない、高い地位にある人達の遠流(おんる)の地であったことに由来します。

One of those people was the Emperor Gotoba (1180-1239). He was one of the most celebrated poets of the Kamakura Era (1192-1333). At that time, the BAKUFU reigned and the real emperor was a ruler in name only.

その様な流人達の中に、鎌倉時代(一一九二-一三三三)、優れた歌人としても知られた後鳥羽上皇(一一八〇-一二三九)もいました。当時は、幕府が実権を掌握しており、天皇は名目上の統治者に過ぎなかったのです。

Some of the best literature was written during that age and much of it was about the fighting of the Minamotos and Tairas (Genji and Heike), which the Tairas eventually lost. During this time, technical advancements were great. Sword steel was perfected and armor was magnificent. The samurai class became strong and the emperors became, more or less, religious symbols.

日本文学の最高傑作と言われる作品のいくつかはこの時代に書かれており、その多くは源氏と平家の合戦を描いたものです。両者の攻防は平家の滅亡により終焉を迎えます。 またこの時代は、技術的に大きな飛躍を遂げました。刀の鋼は完成の日の目を見、甲冑は壮麗極さを増しました。武士階級が台頭し、天皇家の地位は宗教的象徴へと変化し、実権を持たぬまま、存在し続けました。

There was always an emperor, however, even if he had little power. The Emperor Gotoba was a very skillful and able man who tried hard to regain some power for the Emperor. He used his own trained troops and the church was on his side with its’ warlike priests and money. Gotoba almost succeeded, but unfortunately, failed and was banished to Oki in 1221. There, he lived out the rest of his life. During his stay there, he lived a productive literary life.

才覚に溢れ、有能な人物であった後鳥羽上皇は、天皇家に実権を取り戻すべく奔走します。つわもの揃いの自らの兵を率い、また、主戦論を唱える神主の率いる潤沢な資金を持つ神社を味方に付けることにも成功しますが、不運にも上皇の企ては後一歩というところで失敗に終わてしまいます。一二二一年、隠岐への流刑を課された上皇はそこで余生を送ることとなります。

He wrote much poetry, and one such book was Ento-Gohyaku-Shu. Not only did he write poetry, but wrote critiques of current writers of that time. At last, he died in the Genpukuji Temple and was buried on what is now known as Gokasozuka.

上皇は、隠岐で数多くの歌を詠みました。「遠島五百首」は、その時詠んだ作品を集めたものです。歌だけに留まらず、上皇は時の作家達の作品の評論もこなしました。最期は源福寺で迎えます。上皇が葬られた場所は、現在御火葬塚の名で知られています。

His effort to regain power little value since it’s basic result was to give the Shogun the opportunity to remove many troublemakers. In any event, the Emperor Gotoba must be remembered with pride and honor. It might be interesting to visit his last home in Oki. Don’t you think so?

復権を画策した上皇の努力は、時の幕府に謀反者を排除する機会を与えたのみで終わりました。何れにせよ、後鳥羽上皇は誇りと敬意をもって記憶されるに値する人物です。上皇が最期を迎えた隠岐の地を訪ねてみるのも良いと思います。そうお思いになられませんか。