Emperor Saigo

Former Emperor of Japan. As is customary, the Saigo Era (1975-2019) is named after him. Son of Emperor Shozen, brother of Crown Prince Chozohito, father of Emperor Tsuruhito and Prince Taremono, and grandfather of Crown Prince Kirihito and Prince Nobuhito.

As previous Emperor, Saigo is no longer reffered to by his given name, Yorohito, and is posthumosly reffered to as "His Majesty Emperor Saigo."

Background
Born in the Imperial Palace in New Edo, Saigo was the second born son of Emperor Yakuhito (now known as Shozen). Saigo was formerly known as Prince Kubonori, until the unfortunate death of his older brother Chozohito in 1970, when he became heir apparent to the Chrysanthemum Throne.

Saigo became Emperor Yorohito when his father Emperor Yakuhito was assasinated on 14 December 1975 by ninja of the Mohitsune Clan, in unsuccesful attempt to overthrow both the Imperial Court and the Shogunate.

Saigo survived the collapse of the Tokugawa Shogunate in 1980 by allying himself with the Kabutotsu Clan in the months leading up to the coup d etat. His son, future Emperor Tsuruhito, was born that same year. Saigo abdicated his throne to his son in October of 2019, at the age of 65. He died due to complications from lung cancer at age of 68, on 8 July 2022.