Emperor Go-Toba (1180-1239), born during the Genpei War to Emperor Takakura, ascended at age 4 and abdicated at 19 to begin his cloistered government. A polymath excelling in poetry, kemari, sumo, sword-making (the imperial “Kiku-go-saku” blades), and swimming, he commissioned the Shin-Kokin Wakashu (1205) — the pinnacle of medieval Japanese poetry. After the 1219 assassination of Sanetomo and breakdown of relations with the Hojo regents, he raised troops in 1221 (Jokyu War) but was crushed within a month. The unprecedented exile of three retired emperors followed: Go-Toba to Oki, Juntoku to Sado, Tsuchimikado to Tosa. Go-Toba spent his final 19 years on Oki composing poetry, including the celebrated Ento-go-hyakushu. He died in 1239 at age 60, his curse upon dying so feared that his initial posthumous name “Kentoku-in” was changed to “Go-Toba” to mitigate further calamity. Oki Shrine preserves his memory.