Because of the sudden death of his older brother Emperor Gokomyo, it was necessary for the Imperial court to secure nominees for the heir to the Imperial throne in order to prevent the extinction of imperial line.
この背景には兄にあたる後光明天皇が急逝したために、万が一の皇統断絶の事態に備えて皇位継承の候補者を確保する目的もあった。