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Saionji Kintsune: The Regent Who Leaked the Jokyu War and Built the Site of Kinkaku-ji

Saionji Kintsune (1171–1244) was the brother-in-law of Retired Emperor Go-Toba, yet leaked the Jokyu War uprising plans to the shogunate in 1221. He was promoted to Grand Minister after the war and built the Kitayama estate on the site now occupied by Kinkaku-ji. His life as court-shogunate mediator for over 30 years is explored here.

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Saionji Kintsune (1171–1244) played a crucial role in the Jokyu War of 1221. Though related by marriage to Retired Emperor Go-Toba, he leaked the emperor’s uprising plans to the Kamakura shogunate. After the war ended in a complete victory for the shogunate, Kintsune rose to Grand Minister and wielded immense influence as a court-shogunate mediator for over 30 years. He also built the Kitayama estate on the site later occupied by Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion), showing his role as a cultural patron. Visitors can see this legacy at Kinkaku-ji in Kyoto today.

Illustrated scroll depicting the Jokyu War — Saionji Kintsune's tip-off enabled the shogunate's rapid response

Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

Portrait of Retired Emperor Go-Toba, who launched the Jokyu War and was exiled to the Oki Islands

Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) — World Heritage Site built by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu on the site of Saionji Kintsune's Kitayama estate

Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Sekkatei Teahouse in Rokuonji (Kinkaku-ji) — a garden corner preserving the natural beauty of Kitayama that Kintsune cherished

Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0

Saionji Kinmochi in the Meiji era — the Saionji family founded by Kintsune in the Kamakura period remained prominent through the Meiji era

Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain

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