It was decided, by the Kamakura bakufu (Japanese feudal government headed by a shogun), to share the Imperial succession between the Jimyo-in Imperial line and the Daikaku-ji Imperial line every ten years, however, there was an exceptional settlement to succeed to the throne after Emperor Gonijo died suddenly after being in power for seven years, described as follows; Emperor Gonijo (Daikaku-ji Imperial line)=>Emperor Hanazono (Jimyo-in Imperial line)=>Emperor Godaigo (Daikaku-ji Imperial line)=>Imperial Prince Kuniyoshi (Kuninaga) (Daikaku-ji Imperial line, legitimate son of Emperor Gonijo)=>Imperial Prince Kazuhito. (Jimyo-in Imperial line)
当時、鎌倉幕府の裁定によって、持明院統と大覚寺統は10年ごとに天皇を交代させる決まりになっていたが、大覚寺統の後二条天皇が在位7年での急死後に例外的に後二条（大覚寺統）→花園（持明院統）→後醍醐（大覚寺統）→邦良親王（大覚寺統・後二条嫡男）→量仁親王（持明院統）という例外的な皇位継承順位が定められていた。