However, in 1654, since Emperor Gokomyo died when he was just twenty two years old, most of the Imperial male relatives of the Emperor had gone into the priesthood, so, who would succeed to the throne became a complicated issue.
ところが、承応3年（1654年）後光明天皇が22歳の若さで崩御したときに天皇の近親の皇族男子は殆ど出家していて、その後継問題で紛糾した。