Emperor Montoku
Encyclopedia
was the 55th emperor
of Japan
, according to the traditional order of succession.
The years of Montoku's spanned the years from 850 through 858.
, his personal name (imina) was . He was also known as Tamura-no-mikado or Tamura-tei.
He was the eldest son of Emperor Ninmyō. His mother was Empress Dowager Fujiwara no Junshi (also called the Gojō empress 五条后), daughter of the minister of the left, Fujiwara Fuyutsugu.
Montoku had six Imperial consorts and 29 Imperial sons.
Events during his reign included the repression of insurrections among the Ebisu
people in Mutsu province
in 855, and among the people of the island of Tsushima
two years later.
The actual site of Montoku'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 Montoku's mausoleum
. It is formally named Tamura no misasagi.
in pre-Meiji
eras.-- kugyō of Montoku-tennō (in French)
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 Montoku's reign), this apex of the Daijō-kan included:
(Tai-Kotaigō): Fujiwara no Akirakeiko (藤原明子) (829-899), also known as Somedono-no-Kisaki, daughter of Fujiwara no Yoshifusa
(藤原良房).
Nyōgo
: Fujiwara no Koshi/Furuko (藤原古子), daughter of Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu (藤原冬嗣)
Nyōgo
: Fujiwara no Takakiko (藤原多賀幾子) (?-858), daughter of Fujiwara no Yoshimi (藤原良相)
Nyōgo
: Fujiwara no Nenshi/Toshiko (藤原年子))
Nyōgo
: Princess Azumako (東子女王) (?-865)
Nyōgo
: Fujiwara no Koreko (藤原是子)
Nyōgo
: Tachibana no Fusako (橘房子), daughter of Tachibana no Ujikimi (橘氏公)
Nyōgo
: Tachibana no Chushi (橘忠子), daughter of Tachibana no Ujikimi (橘氏公)
Koui
: Ki no Shizuko (紀静子) (?-866), daughter of Ki no Natora (紀名虎)
Court lady: Fujiwara no Retsushi (藤原列子), daughter of Fujiwara no Koreo (藤原是雄)
Court lady: Shigeno no Okuko (滋野奥子), daughter of Shigeno no Sadanushi (滋野貞主)
Court lady: Fujiwara no Konshi/Imako (藤原今子), daughter of Fujiwara no Sadamori (藤原貞守)
Court lady: Shigeno no Mineko (滋野岑子), daughter of Shigeno no Sadao (滋野貞雄)
Court lady: A daughter of Tomo clan (伴氏の娘)
Court lady: A daughter of Fuse clan (布勢氏の娘)
Court lady: A daughter of Tajihi clan (多治氏の娘)
Court lady: A daughter of Kiyohara clan (清原氏の娘)
Court lady: A daughter of Sugano clan (菅野氏の娘)
Court lady: A daughter of Sugawara clan (菅原氏の娘)
(from unknown women)
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.
The years of Montoku's spanned the years from 850 through 858.
Traditional narrative
Before Montoku's 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 . He was also known as Tamura-no-mikado or Tamura-tei.
He was the eldest son of Emperor Ninmyō. His mother was Empress Dowager Fujiwara no Junshi (also called the Gojō empress 五条后), daughter of the minister of the left, Fujiwara Fuyutsugu.
Montoku had six Imperial consorts and 29 Imperial sons.
Events of Montoku's life
- May 6, 850 (KashōKasho, also known as Kajō, was a after Jōwa and before Ninju. This period spanned the years from June 848 through April 851. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:...
3, 21st day of the 3rd month): In the 17th year of Ninmyō-tennō 's reign (仁明天皇17年), the emperor died; and his eldest son received the succession (senso). - 850 (Kashō 3, 4th month): Emperor Montoku formally acceded to the throne (sokui).
- 850 (Kashō 3, 5th month): The widow of Emperor Saga, who was also the mother of Emperor Ninmyō and the grandmother of Emperor Montoku, died. This very devout Buddhist had founded a temple called on the site of present-day -- more formally known as , located in what is now Susukinobaba-chō, Ukyō Ward in KyotoKyotois a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:...
, Before her death, the former empress had been known by the honorific title, ; and she had been honored as if she were a saint. - 850 (Kashō 3, 11th month): The emperor named Korehito-shinnō, the 4th son of Emperor Montoku as his heir. This 9-month-old baby was also the grandson of udaijin Fujiwara no YoshifusaFujiwara no Yoshifusa, also known as Somedono no Daijin or Shirakawa-dono, was a Japanese statesman, courtier and politician during the Heian period.When Yoshifusa's grandson was enthroned as Emperor Seiwa, Yoshifusa was assumed the role of regent for the young monarch...
.
- 853 (NinjuNinjuwas a after Kashō and before Saikō. This period spanned the years from April 851 through November 854. The reigning emperor was .-Change of era:* February 5, 851 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
3, 2nd month): The emperor visited the home of udaijin Yoshifusa, the grandfather of his designated heir.
- July 11, 854 (SaikōSaikoSaiko may refer to:* Saiko, Yamanashi, a lake of Japan* Saikō, a Japanese era...
1, 13th day of the 6th month): The saidaijin Minamoto no Tokiwa, also known as Minamoto no Tsune, died at age 43. - 855 (Saikō 2, in the 1st month): The EmishiEmishiThe constituted a group of people who lived in northeastern Honshū in the Tōhoku region. They are referred to as in contemporary sources. Some Emishi tribes resisted the rule of the Japanese Emperors during the late Nara and early Heian periods...
organized a rebellion; and in response, a force of 1,000 men and provisions were sent to the north.
- 855 (Saikō 2, 5th month): The head of the great statute of Buddha in the Tōdai-ji fell off; and in consequence, the emperor ordered the then dainagon Fujiwara no Yoshisuke, the brother of sadaijin Yoshifusa, to be in charge of gathering the gifts of the pious from throughout the empire to make another head for the DaibutsuDaibutsuor 'giant Buddha' is the Japanese term, often used informally, for large statues of Buddha. The oldest is that at Asuka-dera and the best-known those of Tōdai-ji in Nara and Kōtoku-in in Kamakura , both National Treasures.- Examples :...
.
Events during his reign included the repression of insurrections among the Ebisu
Emishi
The constituted a group of people who lived in northeastern Honshū in the Tōhoku region. They are referred to as in contemporary sources. Some Emishi tribes resisted the rule of the Japanese Emperors during the late Nara and early Heian periods...
people in Mutsu province
Mutsu Province
was an old province of Japan in the area of Fukushima, Miyagi, Iwate and Aomori prefecture and the municipalities of Kazuno and Kosaka in Akita Prefecture...
in 855, and among the people of the island of Tsushima
Tsushima Island
Tsushima Island is an island of the Japanese Archipelago situated in the middle of the Tsushima Strait at 34°25'N and 129°20'E. The main island of Tsushima was once a single island, but the island was divided into two in 1671 by the Ōfunakosiseto canal and into three in 1900 by the Manzekiseto canal...
two years later.
- October 7, 858 (Ten'anTen'anwas a after Saikō and before Jōgan. This period spanned the years from February 857 through April 859. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of Era:* January 30, 857 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
2, 27th day of the 8th month): Montoku's died at the age of 32.
The actual site of Montoku'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 Montoku'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 Tamura 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.-- kugyō of Montoku-tennō (in French)
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 Montoku's reign), this apex of the Daijō-kan included:
- Daijō-daijin, Fujiwara no YoshifusaFujiwara no Yoshifusa, also known as Somedono no Daijin or Shirakawa-dono, was a Japanese statesman, courtier and politician during the Heian period.When Yoshifusa's grandson was enthroned as Emperor Seiwa, Yoshifusa was assumed the role of regent for the young monarch...
(藤原良房), 804-872. - 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...
, Minamoto no Tokiwa (源常), 812-854. - Sadaijin, Minamoto no Makoto (源信), 810-868.
- 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 no YoshifusaFujiwara no Yoshifusa, also known as Somedono no Daijin or Shirakawa-dono, was a Japanese statesman, courtier and politician during the Heian period.When Yoshifusa's grandson was enthroned as Emperor Seiwa, Yoshifusa was assumed the role of regent for the young monarch...
(藤原良房), 804-872. - Udaijin, Fujiwara no Yoshimi (藤原良相), 813-867.
- Naidaijin (not appointed)
- 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 Montoku's reign
The years of Montoku's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.- KashōKasho, also known as Kajō, was a after Jōwa and before Ninju. This period spanned the years from June 848 through April 851. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:...
(848-851) - NinjuNinjuwas a after Kashō and before Saikō. This period spanned the years from April 851 through November 854. The reigning emperor was .-Change of era:* February 5, 851 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
(851-854) - SaikōSaikoSaiko may refer to:* Saiko, Yamanashi, a lake of Japan* Saikō, a Japanese era...
(854-857) - Ten'anTen'anwas a after Saikō and before Jōgan. This period spanned the years from February 857 through April 859. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of Era:* January 30, 857 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
(857-859)
Consorts and Children
KōgoKokyu
The is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow. Although it was introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape, and sound are unique to Japan...
(Tai-Kotaigō): Fujiwara no Akirakeiko (藤原明子) (829-899), also known as Somedono-no-Kisaki, daughter of Fujiwara no Yoshifusa
Fujiwara no Yoshifusa
, also known as Somedono no Daijin or Shirakawa-dono, was a Japanese statesman, courtier and politician during the Heian period.When Yoshifusa's grandson was enthroned as Emperor Seiwa, Yoshifusa was assumed the role of regent for the young monarch...
(藤原良房).
- Imperial Prince Korehito (惟仁親王) (850-881) (Emperor SeiwaEmperor Seiwawas the 56th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Seiwa's reign spanned the years from 858 through 876.-Traditional narrative:...
) - Imperial Princess Gishi (儀子内親王) (?-879), 6th Saiin in Kamo ShrineKamo Shrineis a general term for an important Shinto sanctuary complex on both banks of the Kamo River in northeast Kyoto. It is centered on two shrines. The two shrines, an upper and a lower, lie in a corner of the old capital which was known as the due to traditional geomancy beliefs that the north-east...
859-876
Nyōgo
Kokyu
The is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow. Although it was introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape, and sound are unique to Japan...
: Fujiwara no Koshi/Furuko (藤原古子), daughter of Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu (藤原冬嗣)
Nyōgo
Kokyu
The is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow. Although it was introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape, and sound are unique to Japan...
: Fujiwara no Takakiko (藤原多賀幾子) (?-858), daughter of Fujiwara no Yoshimi (藤原良相)
Nyōgo
Kokyu
The is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow. Although it was introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape, and sound are unique to Japan...
: Fujiwara no Nenshi/Toshiko (藤原年子))
Nyōgo
Kokyu
The is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow. Although it was introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape, and sound are unique to Japan...
: Princess Azumako (東子女王) (?-865)
Nyōgo
Kokyu
The is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow. Although it was introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape, and sound are unique to Japan...
: Fujiwara no Koreko (藤原是子)
Nyōgo
Kokyu
The is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow. Although it was introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape, and sound are unique to Japan...
: Tachibana no Fusako (橘房子), daughter of Tachibana no Ujikimi (橘氏公)
Nyōgo
Kokyu
The is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow. Although it was introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape, and sound are unique to Japan...
: Tachibana no Chushi (橘忠子), daughter of Tachibana no Ujikimi (橘氏公)
Koui
Kokyu
The is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow. Although it was introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape, and sound are unique to Japan...
: Ki no Shizuko (紀静子) (?-866), daughter of Ki no Natora (紀名虎)
- Imperial Prince Koretaka (惟喬親王) (844-897)
- Imperial Prince Koreeda (惟条親王) (848-868)
- Imperial Princess Tenshi (恬子内親王) (?-913), 20th SaiōSaioA , also known as "Itsuki no Miko", was an unmarried female relative of the Japanese emperor, sent to Ise to serve at Ise Grand Shrine from the late 7th century until the 14th century. The Saiō's residence, Saikū , was approximately 10 km north-west of the shrine...
in Ise ShrineIse Shrineis a Shinto shrine dedicated to goddess Amaterasu-ōmikami, located in the city of Ise in Mie prefecture, Japan. Officially known simply as , Ise Jingū is in fact a shrine complex composed of a large number of Shinto shrines centered on two main shrines, and ....
859-876 - Imperial Princess Jutsushi (述子内親王) (?-897), 5th Saiin in Kamo ShrineKamo Shrineis a general term for an important Shinto sanctuary complex on both banks of the Kamo River in northeast Kyoto. It is centered on two shrines. The two shrines, an upper and a lower, lie in a corner of the old capital which was known as the due to traditional geomancy beliefs that the north-east...
857-858 - Imperial Princess Chinshi (珍子内親王) (?-877)
Court lady: Fujiwara no Retsushi (藤原列子), daughter of Fujiwara no Koreo (藤原是雄)
- Imperial Princess Anshi (晏子内親王) (?-900), 19th SaiōSaioA , also known as "Itsuki no Miko", was an unmarried female relative of the Japanese emperor, sent to Ise to serve at Ise Grand Shrine from the late 7th century until the 14th century. The Saiō's residence, Saikū , was approximately 10 km north-west of the shrine...
in Ise ShrineIse Shrineis a Shinto shrine dedicated to goddess Amaterasu-ōmikami, located in the city of Ise in Mie prefecture, Japan. Officially known simply as , Ise Jingū is in fact a shrine complex composed of a large number of Shinto shrines centered on two main shrines, and ....
850-858 - Imperial Princess Akirakeiko (慧子内親王) (?-881), 4th Saiin in Kamo ShrineKamo Shrineis a general term for an important Shinto sanctuary complex on both banks of the Kamo River in northeast Kyoto. It is centered on two shrines. The two shrines, an upper and a lower, lie in a corner of the old capital which was known as the due to traditional geomancy beliefs that the north-east...
850-857
Court lady: Shigeno no Okuko (滋野奥子), daughter of Shigeno no Sadanushi (滋野貞主)
- Imperial Prince Korehiko (惟彦親王) (850-883)
- Imperial Princess Nōshi (濃子内親王) (?-903)
- Imperial Princess Shōshi (勝子内親王) (?-871)
Court lady: Fujiwara no Konshi/Imako (藤原今子), daughter of Fujiwara no Sadamori (藤原貞守)
- Imperial Prince Koretsune (惟恒親王) (?-904)
- Imperial Princess Reishi (礼子内親王) (?-899)
- Imperial Princess Keishi (掲子内親王) (?-914), 22nd SaiōSaioA , also known as "Itsuki no Miko", was an unmarried female relative of the Japanese emperor, sent to Ise to serve at Ise Grand Shrine from the late 7th century until the 14th century. The Saiō's residence, Saikū , was approximately 10 km north-west of the shrine...
in Ise ShrineIse Shrineis a Shinto shrine dedicated to goddess Amaterasu-ōmikami, located in the city of Ise in Mie prefecture, Japan. Officially known simply as , Ise Jingū is in fact a shrine complex composed of a large number of Shinto shrines centered on two main shrines, and ....
882-884
Court lady: Shigeno no Mineko (滋野岑子), daughter of Shigeno no Sadao (滋野貞雄)
- Minamoto no Motoari (源本有)
- Minamoto no Fuchiko/Shigeko (源淵子/滋子) (?-911)
Court lady: A daughter of Tomo clan (伴氏の娘)
- Minamoto no Yoshiari (源能有) (845-897), Udaijin 896-897
Court lady: A daughter of Fuse clan (布勢氏の娘)
- Minamoto no Yukiari (源行有) (854-887)
- Minamoto no Tomiari (源富有) (?-887)
Court lady: A daughter of Tajihi clan (多治氏の娘)
- Minamoto no Tsuneari (源毎有)
Court lady: A daughter of Kiyohara clan (清原氏の娘)
- Minamoto no Tokiari (源時有)
- Minamoto no Noriari (源載有)
Court lady: A daughter of Sugano clan (菅野氏の娘)
Court lady: A daughter of Sugawara clan (菅原氏の娘)
- Minamoto no Sadaari (源定有)
- Minamoto no Tomiko (源富子)
(from unknown women)
- Minamoto no Hyōshi (源憑子)
- Minamoto no Kenshi (源謙子)
- Minamoto no Okuko (源奥子)
- Minamoto no Retsushi (源列子)
- Minamoto no Seishi (源済子), married to Emperor SeiwaEmperor Seiwawas the 56th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Seiwa's reign spanned the years from 858 through 876.-Traditional narrative:...
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...
- Nihon Montoku Tennō JitsurokuNihon Montoku Tenno Jitsuroku, abbreviated as Montoku Jitsuroku, is an officially commissioned Japanese history text. Completed in 879, it is the fifth text in the Six National Histories series...
, one of the Six National HistoriesRikkokushiis a general term for Japan's six national histories chronicling the mythology and history of Japan from the earliest times to AD 887. The six histories were written at the imperial court during the eighth and ninth centuries, under order of the Emperors...