After Emperor Shoko died without having any children to succeed his position, the former Imperial family was succeeded by Imperial Prince Sadatsune's older brother, Prince Hikohito, (the hundred and second Emperor Gohanazono) since the family was not succeeded by the original Imperial blood line, there was no direct continuity of the blood line from male side of the Imperial Family.
旧皇族は、貞常親王の兄彦仁王が、皇子を遺さずに死去した称光天皇の跡を継いで天皇（第102代後花園天皇）となって以後、現在の皇室とは血統が完全に分岐しているため、男系での血縁は非常に遠い。