Stories of the Japanese 01330 [Muromachi/Yoshimochi Period] Emperor Shoko in Critical Condition

The year 1425 (Oei 32) was also a year of significant movement in the situation in Kyushu. The Shoni and Shibukawa clans had long been fighting over the rights to Hakata Port, and in this year, the Kyushu Tandai, Shibukawa Yoshitoshi, was driven out of Hakata by the fierce attacks of Shoni Mitsusada and Kikuchi Kanetomo (1383–1444). This was a situation the Shogunate could not ignore.
On July 13, the Shogunate dispatched Ouchi Morimi to suppress Shoni Mitsusada and Kikuchi Kanetomo. As mentioned earlier, Morimi was the only warrior who had survived by defying Yoshimitsu, and this was his first time returning to the western provinces in 15 years. Morimi lived up to expectations brilliantly and suppressed the forces of Shoni Mitsusada and Kikuchi Kanetomo in October.
Meanwhile, Yoshimochi was, as usual, swamped with work as an advisor to the Retired Emperor and the Emperor. On July 25, Emperor Shoko fell into a coma, and Yoshimochi, rushing to the palace, met with the Retired Emperor Go-Komatsu to discuss who should succeed to the throne. Of course, the only option was Prince Hikohito of the Fushimi-no-miya line, but out of consideration for Emperor Shoko, this had to be kept secret.
On July 29, the critically ill Emperor Shoko called for Yoshimochi and said,
“I want to grant an In-go (title for a retired emperor) to my mother, Hino-nishi Sukeko.”
In the Heian period, it was common to grant an In-go to the mother of an emperor, but there had been no recent precedents. When Yoshimochi, acting on the Emperor's wishes, consulted the Retired Emperor Go-Komatsu, the Retired Emperor opposed it as usual, saying,
“That is rash (an imprudent act).”
For some reason, the Retired Emperor was extremely harsh toward the Emperor.
However, one could not ignore what might be the final wish of an emperor on his deathbed. Yoshimochi desperately persuaded the Retired Emperor, and finally, it was decided to grant Hino-nishi Sukeko the title of Jun-sango (an honorary title equivalent to Empress) and the In-go of “Kohanmon-in.” Yoshimochi had given the dying Emperor a final parting gift.
On August 1, Yoshimochi, thinking that “there is no time to lose,” persuaded the Retired Emperor that Prince Hikohito should be named Crown Prince, and obtained his consent. Preparations for the abdication were rushed forward.
On the night of this day, while Yoshimochi was busy with preparations for the abdication, the Retired Emperor Go-Komatsu, for some reason, called for the biwa hoshi (lute-playing monk) that his son had wanted to hear to perform the Tale of the Heike, and enjoyed reading zoshi (picture books), leaving those around him dumbfounded. Furthermore, he instructed his close aides,
“There is no need to report every fluctuation in the Emperor's condition. Report to me only when it is clear.”
This was far too cold-hearted an attitude for a father toward his child.
The next day, August 2, a twist occurred. The Emperor's condition began to improve. Preparations for the abdication were temporarily halted. And on August 5, Emperor Shoko had almost fully recovered. Yoshimochi must have felt conflicted, wondering what the In-go had been for.
Emperor Shoko, who had been sickly for some time, had a surprisingly tough vitality. Yoshimochi, too, surely never dreamed that he would die before the Emperor.