After two years and eight months of being in power, the Emperor abdicated and passed the throne to his uncle, Imperial Prince Norihito (later called Emperor Takakura) as it was insisted upon by the retired Emperor Goshirakawa. (the youngest retired emperor in the history)
在位2年8ヶ月で祖父・後白河上皇の意向により、叔父の憲仁親王（後の高倉天皇）に譲位する（歴代最年少太上天皇）。