Records say that after the death of the Emperor Gomurakami, he succeeded to the throne on April 6, 1368 at Suminoe-den (Shoin-den) in Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka City, which was the place of Sumiyoshi-angu (a gozasho (a room for a noble person) for the Southern Court) and a residence of Tsumori clan, members of which served as Guji (chief of those who serves shrine, controls festivals and general affairs) of Sumiyoshitaisha Shrine.
1368年3月11日(旧暦)後村上天皇の崩御に伴い、南朝の御座所（住吉行宮）の置かれていた大阪市住吉区の住吉大社宮司の津守氏の館（住之江殿、正印殿）で即位したとされる。