Emperor Go-Ichijo
Encyclopedia
was the 68th emperor
of Japan
, according to the traditional order of succession.
Go-Ichijō's reign spanned the years from 1016 through 1036.
This 11th century sovereign was named after Emperor Ichijō
and go- (後), translates literally as "later;" and thus, he is sometimes called the "Later Emperor Ichijō". The Japanese word "go" has also been translated to mean the "second one;" and in some older sources, this emperor may be identified as "Ichijō, the second."
, his personal name (imina) was Atsuhira-shinnō (敦成親王). He was also known as Atsunari-shinnō.
Atsuhira was the second son of Emperor Ichijō
. His mother, Fujiwara no Akiko/Shōshi
(藤原彰子) (988-1074), was a daughter of Fujiwara no Michinaga
. In her later years, Ichijō's chūgo consort was known as Jōtō-mon In (上東門院).
Atsuhira became emperor at the age of 8, upon the abdication of his first cousin once removed, Emperor Sanjō
.
During the initial years of Go-Ichijō's reign, Fujiwara no Michinaga
actually ruled from his position as sesshō (regent
).
The actual site of Go-Ichijō's grave
is known. This emperor is traditionally venerated at a memorial
Shinto
shrine
(misasagi) at Kyoto.
The Imperial Household Agency
designates this location as Go-Ichijō's mausoleum
. It is formally named Bodaijuin no misasagi.
in pre-Meiji
eras. Even during those years in which the court's actual influence outside the palace walls was minimal, the hierarchic organization persisted.
In general, this elite group included only three to four men at a time. These were hereditary courtiers whose experience and background would have brought them to the pinnacle of a life's career. During Go-Ichijō's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:
Go-Ichijō had one Empress and two Imperial daughters.
Empress (chūgū): Fujiwara no Ishi
(藤原威子) (999-1036), third daughter of Fujiwara no Michinaga
Emperor
An emperor is a monarch, usually the sovereign ruler of an empire or another type of imperial realm. Empress, the female equivalent, may indicate an emperor's wife or a woman who rules in her own right...
of Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, according to the traditional order of succession.
Go-Ichijō's reign spanned the years from 1016 through 1036.
This 11th century sovereign was named after Emperor Ichijō
Emperor Ichijo
was the 66th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Ichijō's reign spanned the years from 986 to 1011.-Traditional narrative:Before he ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name was Kanehito-shinnō....
and go- (後), translates literally as "later;" and thus, he is sometimes called the "Later Emperor Ichijō". The Japanese word "go" has also been translated to mean the "second one;" and in some older sources, this emperor may be identified as "Ichijō, the second."
Traditional narrative
Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum ThroneChrysanthemum Throne
The is the English term used to identify the throne of the Emperor of Japan. The term can refer to very specific seating, such as the takamikura throne in the Shishin-den at Kyoto Imperial Palace....
, his personal name (imina) was Atsuhira-shinnō (敦成親王). He was also known as Atsunari-shinnō.
Atsuhira was the second son of Emperor Ichijō
Emperor Ichijo
was the 66th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Ichijō's reign spanned the years from 986 to 1011.-Traditional narrative:Before he ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name was Kanehito-shinnō....
. His mother, Fujiwara no Akiko/Shōshi
Empress Shōshi
or Empress Shōshi , , also known as , the eldest daughter of Fujiwara no Michinaga, was Empress of Japan from c. 1000 to c. 1011...
(藤原彰子) (988-1074), was a daughter of Fujiwara no Michinaga
Fujiwara no Michinaga
represents the highpoint of the Fujiwara regents' control over the government of Japan.-Early life:He was the fourth or fifth son of Fujiwara no Kaneie by his wife Tokihime, daughter of Fujiwara no Nakamasa...
. In her later years, Ichijō's chūgo consort was known as Jōtō-mon In (上東門院).
Events of Go-Ichijō's life
Atsuhira-shinnō was used as a pawn in Imperial court politics when he was only a child.- 1012 (ChōwaChowawas a after Kankō and before Kannin. This period spanned the years from December 1012 through April 1017. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* 1012 : The era name was changed to mark Emperor Sanjō's accession in the previous year...
1, 8th month): Prince Atsuhira marries a daughter of sesshō and later kampaku Fujiwara no MichinagaFujiwara no Michinagarepresents the highpoint of the Fujiwara regents' control over the government of Japan.-Early life:He was the fourth or fifth son of Fujiwara no Kaneie by his wife Tokihime, daughter of Fujiwara no Nakamasa...
.
Atsuhira became emperor at the age of 8, upon the abdication of his first cousin once removed, Emperor Sanjō
Emperor Sanjo
was the 67th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Sanjō's reign spanned the years from 1011 through 1016.-Traditional narrative:...
.
- March 10, 1016 (Chōwa 5, 29th day of the 1st month): In the 5th year of Emperor Sanjō's reign (三条天皇5年), he abdicated; and the succession (‘‘senso’’) was received by a cousin. Shortly thereafter, Emperor Go-Ichijō is said to have acceded to the throne (‘‘sokui’’).
During the initial years of Go-Ichijō's reign, Fujiwara no Michinaga
Fujiwara no Michinaga
represents the highpoint of the Fujiwara regents' control over the government of Japan.-Early life:He was the fourth or fifth son of Fujiwara no Kaneie by his wife Tokihime, daughter of Fujiwara no Nakamasa...
actually ruled from his position as sesshō (regent
Regent
A regent, from the Latin regens "one who reigns", is a person selected to act as head of state because the ruler is a minor, not present, or debilitated. Currently there are only two ruling Regencies in the world, sovereign Liechtenstein and the Malaysian constitutive state of Terengganu...
).
- June 5, 1017 (KanninKanninwas a after Chōwa and before Jian. This period spanned the years from April 1017 through February 1021. The reigning emperor was .-Change of era:* 1017 : The era name was changed to mark an event or series of events...
1, 9th day of the 5th month): The former-Emperor Sanjō died at the age of 41. - 1017 (Kannin 1, 8th month): Prince Atsuakira, the eldest son of Emperor Sanjo, had been named Crown Prince. But after he is struck by a skin disease and intense pressure from Michinaga; he withdrew from this role and his younger brother, Prince Atsunaga, was named Crown Prince in his place.
- 1017 (Kannin 1, 9th month): Michinaga made a pilgrimage to the Iwashimizu ShrineIwashimizu ShrineThe is a Shinto shrine in the city of Yawata in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. -History:The shrine's Heian period connections with the Kyoto and the Imperial family date from its founding in 859 when construction on its earliest structures commenced...
accompanied by many courtiers. The travelers divided themselves amongst 15 boats for a floating trip down the Yotogawa River. One of the vessels overturned, and more than 30 people lost their lives. - 1017 (Kannin 1, 12th month): Michinaga was elevated to the office of Daijō-Diajin.
- May 15, 1036 (ChōgenChogenwas a after Manju and before Chōryaku. This period spanned the years from July 1028 through April 1037. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* 1028 : The new era name Chōgen was created to mark and event or series of events...
9, 17th day of the 4th month): Emperor Go-Ichijō died at the age of 29.
The actual site of Go-Ichijō's grave
Grave (burial)
A grave is a location where a dead body is buried. Graves are usually located in special areas set aside for the purpose of burial, such as graveyards or cemeteries....
is known. This emperor is traditionally venerated at a memorial
Memorial
A memorial is an object which serves as a focus for memory of something, usually a person or an event. Popular forms of memorials include landmark objects or art objects such as sculptures, statues or fountains, and even entire parks....
Shinto
Shinto
or Shintoism, also kami-no-michi, is the indigenous spirituality of Japan and the Japanese people. It is a set of practices, to be carried out diligently, to establish a connection between present day Japan and its ancient past. Shinto practices were first recorded and codified in the written...
shrine
Shrine
A shrine is a holy or sacred place, which is dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, martyr, saint, daemon or similar figure of awe and respect, at which they are venerated or worshipped. Shrines often contain idols, relics, or other such objects associated with the figure being venerated....
(misasagi) at Kyoto.
The Imperial Household Agency
Imperial Household Agency
The is a government agency of Japan in charge of the state matters concerning Japan's imperial family and also keeping the Privy Seal and the State Seal...
designates this location as Go-Ichijō's mausoleum
Mausoleum
A mausoleum is an external free-standing building constructed as a monument enclosing the interment space or burial chamber of a deceased person or persons. A monument without the interment is a cenotaph. A mausoleum may be considered a type of tomb or the tomb may be considered to be within the...
. It is formally named Bodaijuin no misasagi.
Kugyō
is a collective term for the very few most powerful men attached to the court of the Emperor of JapanEmperor of Japan
The Emperor of Japan is, according to the 1947 Constitution of Japan, "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people." He is a ceremonial figurehead under a form of constitutional monarchy and is head of the Japanese Imperial Family with functions as head of state. He is also the highest...
in pre-Meiji
Meiji period
The , also known as the Meiji era, is a Japanese era which extended from September 1868 through July 1912. This period represents the first half of the Empire of Japan.- Meiji Restoration and the emperor :...
eras. Even during those years in which the court's actual influence outside the palace walls was minimal, the hierarchic organization persisted.
In general, this elite group included only three to four men at a time. These were hereditary courtiers whose experience and background would have brought them to the pinnacle of a life's career. During Go-Ichijō's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:
- Sesshō, Fujiwara Michinaga, 966-1027.
- Sesshō, Fujiwara Yorimichi, 992-1074.
- Kampaku, Fujiwara Yorimichi.
- Daijō-daijin, Fujiwara Michinaga.
- Daijō-daijin, Kan'in Kinsue, 956-1029.
- SadaijinSadaijin, most commonly translated as "Minister of the Left", was a government position in Japan in the late Nara and Heian periods. The position was consolidated in the Taihō Code of 702. The Asuka Kiyomihara Code of 689 marks the initial appearance of the Sadaijin in the context of a central...
, Fujiwara Michinaga. - SadaijinSadaijin, most commonly translated as "Minister of the Left", was a government position in Japan in the late Nara and Heian periods. The position was consolidated in the Taihō Code of 702. The Asuka Kiyomihara Code of 689 marks the initial appearance of the Sadaijin in the context of a central...
, Fujiwara Akimitsu, 944-1021. - SadaijinSadaijin, most commonly translated as "Minister of the Left", was a government position in Japan in the late Nara and Heian periods. The position was consolidated in the Taihō Code of 702. The Asuka Kiyomihara Code of 689 marks the initial appearance of the Sadaijin in the context of a central...
, Fujiwara Yorimichi. - UdaijinUdaijinUdaijin , most commonly translated as the "Minister of the Right", was a government position in Japan in the late Nara and Heian periods. The position was consolidated in the Taihō Code of 702. The Asuka Kiyomihara Code of 689 marks the initial appearance of the Udaijin in the context of a central...
, Fujiwara Sanesuke, 957-1046. - Nadaijin, Fujiwara Norimichi, 997-1075.
- DainagonDainagonwas a counselor of the first rank in the Imperial court of Japan. The role dates from the 7th century.This advisory position remained a part of the Imperial court from the 8th century until the Meiji period in the 19th century....
Eras of Go-Ichijō's reign
The years of Go-Ichijō's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.- ChōwaChowawas a after Kankō and before Kannin. This period spanned the years from December 1012 through April 1017. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* 1012 : The era name was changed to mark Emperor Sanjō's accession in the previous year...
(1012–1017) - KanninKanninwas a after Chōwa and before Jian. This period spanned the years from April 1017 through February 1021. The reigning emperor was .-Change of era:* 1017 : The era name was changed to mark an event or series of events...
(1017–1021) - JianJian (era)was a , also known as Chi'an, after Kannin and before Manju. This period spanned the years from February 1021 through July 1024. The reigning emperor was .-Change of Era:...
(1021–1024) - ManjuManju (era)was a after Jian and before Chōgen. This period spanned the years from July 1024 through July 1028. The reigning emperor was .-Change of era:* 1024 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
(1024–1028) - ChōgenChogenwas a after Manju and before Chōryaku. This period spanned the years from July 1028 through April 1037. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* 1028 : The new era name Chōgen was created to mark and event or series of events...
(1028–1037)
Consort and children
Empress (chūgū): Fujiwara no Ishi
Fujiwara no Ishi
Fujiwara no Ishi was an Empress consort of Japan. She was the consort of Emperor Go-Ichijō of Japan.- Sources :...
(藤原威子) (999-1036), third daughter of Fujiwara no Michinaga
- Imperial Princess Akiko/Shōshi (章子内親王) (Nijō-In, 二条院) (1026–1105), Empress (chūgū) to Emperor Go-ReizeiEmperor Go-Reizeiwas the 70th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Go-Reizei's reign spanned the years 1045–1068.This 11th century sovereign was named after the 10th century Emperor Reizei and go- , translates literally as "later;" and thus, he is sometimes called the "Later Emperor...
- Imperial Princess Kaoruko/Keishi (馨子内親王) (1029–1093), Empress (chūgū) to Emperor Go-SanjōEmperor Go-Sanjowas the 71st emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Go-Sanjō's reign spanned the years from 1068 through 1073.This 11th century sovereign was named after Emperor Sanjō and go- , translates literally as "later;" and thus, he is sometimes called the "Later Emperor Sanjō"...
See also
- Emperor of JapanEmperor of JapanThe Emperor of Japan is, according to the 1947 Constitution of Japan, "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people." He is a ceremonial figurehead under a form of constitutional monarchy and is head of the Japanese Imperial Family with functions as head of state. He is also the highest...
- List of Emperors of Japan
- Imperial cultImperial cultAn imperial cult is a form of state religion in which an emperor, or a dynasty of emperors , are worshipped as messiahs, demigods or deities. "Cult" here is used to mean "worship", not in the modern pejorative sense...