Emperor Murakami
Encyclopedia
was the 62nd emperor
of Japan
, according to the traditional order of succession.
Murakami's reign spanned the years from 946 to his death in 967.
, his personal name (imina) was Nariakira-shinnō (成明親王).
Nariakira-shinnō was the 14th son of Emperor Daigo
, and the younger brother of Emperor Suzaku by another mother.
Murakami had ten Empresses and Imperial consorts and 19 Imperial sons and daughters. He had a very nice biwa
called Kenjō.
Murakami's maternal uncle Fujiwara no Tadahira
remained as the Sessho regent
until 949. After the death of Tadahira, there was no regent and although contemporaries praised Murakami as the emperor who governed the state directly, in reality the Fujiwara clan seized power and ruled Japan. The brothers Fujiwara no Saneyori
and Fujiwara no Morosuke
became the de facto
ruler
s of Japan.
Murakami was a central figure in Heian period
culture. He was also a skilled flute
and koto
(Japanese harp) player.
The actual site of Murakami'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 Murakami's mausoleum
. It is formally named Murakami no misasagi
in pre-Meiji
eras.
In general, this elite group included only three to four men at a time. These were hereditary courtiers whose experience and background have brought them to the pinnacle of a life's career. During Murakami's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:
: Fujiwara no Anshi
/Yasuko (藤原安子) (927-964), daughter of Fujiwara no Morosuke (藤原師輔)
Nyōgo
: Fujiwara no Jutsushi/Nobuko (藤原述子) (933-947), daughter of Fujiwara no Saneyori (藤原実頼)
Nyōgo
: Princess Kishi (徽子女王) (929-985), daughter of Imperial Prince Shigeakira (重明親王)
Nyōgo
: Princess Sōshi/Takako (荘子女王) (930-1008), daughter of Imperial Prince Yoakira (代明親王)
Nyōgo
: Fujiwara no Hōshi (藤原芳子) (?-967), daughter of Fujiwara no Morotada
(藤原師尹)
Koui
: Minamoto no Kazuko (源計子) (?-?), daughter of Minamoto no Moroakira (源庶明)
Koui
: Fujiwara no Masahime (藤原正妃) (?-967), daughter of Fujiwara no Arihira (藤原在衡)
Koui
: Fujiwara no Sukehime (藤原祐姫) (?-?), daughter of Fujiwara no Motokata (藤原元方)
Koui
: Fujiwara no Shūshi (藤原脩子) (?-?), daughter of Fujiwara no Asahira (藤原朝成)
Koui
: Fujiwara no Yūjo (藤原有序) (?-?), daughter of Fujiwara no Arisuke (藤原有相)
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.
Murakami's reign spanned the years from 946 to his death in 967.
Traditional narrative
Before he ascended 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 Nariakira-shinnō (成明親王).
Nariakira-shinnō was the 14th son of Emperor Daigo
Emperor Daigo
was the 60th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Daigo's reign spanned the years from 897 through 930. He is named after his place of burial.-Traditional narrative:...
, and the younger brother of Emperor Suzaku by another mother.
Murakami had ten Empresses and Imperial consorts and 19 Imperial sons and daughters. He had a very nice biwa
Biwa
The is a Japanese short-necked fretted lute, often used in narrative storytelling. The biwa is the chosen instrument of Benten, goddess of music, eloquence, poetry, and education in Japanese Shinto....
called Kenjō.
Events of Murakami's reign
In 944, he was appointed crown prince and ascended the throne two years later.- May 16, 946 (TengyōTengyowas a after Jōhei and before Tenryaku. This period spanned the years from May 938 through April 947. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* February 2, 938 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
9, 13th day of the 4th month): In the 16th year of the reign of Suzaku-tennō (朱雀天皇16年), the emperor abdicated; and the succession (the senso) was received by his younger brother, Nariakira-shinnō. - May 31, 946 (Tengyō 9, 28th day of the 4th month): Shortly thereafter, Emperor Murakami, who was 21 years old, acceded to the throne (the sokui).
Murakami's maternal uncle Fujiwara no Tadahira
Fujiwara no Tadahira
was a Japanese statesman, courtier and politician during the Heian period.He is also known as Teishin-Kō or Ko-ichijō Dono or Ko-ichijō daijō-daijin.-Career:...
remained as the Sessho 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...
until 949. After the death of Tadahira, there was no regent and although contemporaries praised Murakami as the emperor who governed the state directly, in reality the Fujiwara clan seized power and ruled Japan. The brothers Fujiwara no Saneyori
Fujiwara no Saneyori
, also known as Onomiya-dono, was a Japanese statesman, courtier and politician during the Heian period.-Career:He was a minister during the reigns of Emperor Reizei and Emperor En'yu....
and Fujiwara no Morosuke
Fujiwara no Morosuke
, also known as Kujō-dono or Hōjō udaijin, was a Japanese statesman, courtier and politician during the Heian period.-Career:He was a minister during the reign of Emperor Murakami....
became the de facto
De facto
De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...
ruler
Ruler
A ruler, sometimes called a rule or line gauge, is an instrument used in geometry, technical drawing, printing and engineering/building to measure distances and/or to rule straight lines...
s of Japan.
- October 23, 949 (TenryakuTenryakuwas a after Tengyō and before Tentoku. This period spanned the years from April 947 through October 957. The reigning emperor was .-Change of era:* January 25, 947 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
3, 29th day of the 9th month): The former-Emperor Yōzei died at the age of 82. - 951 (Tenryaku 5): The emperor ordered the compilation of Gosen Wakashū; this work was undertaken by the Five Men of the Pear ChamberFive Men of the Pear ChamberThe Five Men of the Pear Chamber are a group of Heian period Japanese poets and scholars who cooperated in the compilation of the Gosen Wakashū. They also compiled kundoku readings for texts from the Man'yōshū...
under his patronage. - September 6, 952 (Tenryaku 6, 15th day of the 8th month): The former-Emperor Suzaku died at the age of 30.
- October 16, 960 (TentokuTentokuwas a after Tenryaku and before Ōwa. This period spanned the years from October 957 through February 961. The reigning emperors was .-Change of era:* February 3, 957 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
4, 23rd day of the 9th month): The Imperial palace burned down, the first time it had been ravaged by fire since the capital was removed from NaraNara, Narais the capital city of Nara Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. The city occupies the northern part of Nara Prefecture, directly bordering Kyoto Prefecture...
to Heian-kyoHeian-kyoHeian-kyō , was one of several former names for the city now known as Kyoto. It was the capital of Japan for over one thousand years, from 794 to 1868 with an interruption in 1180....
in 794.
Murakami was a central figure in Heian period
Heian period
The is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. The period is named after the capital city of Heian-kyō, or modern Kyōto. It is the period in Japanese history when Buddhism, Taoism and other Chinese influences were at their height...
culture. He was also a skilled flute
Fue
Fue is the Japanese word for flute, and refers to a class of flutes native to Japan.Fue or FUE may also refer to:*The French University in Egypt*The Future University in Egypt*Follicular unit extraction, a technique of harvesting hair...
and koto
Koto (musical instrument)
The koto is a traditional Japanese stringed musical instrument, similar to the Chinese guzheng, the Mongolian yatga, the Korean gayageum and the Vietnamese đàn tranh. The koto is the national instrument of Japan. Koto are about length, and made from kiri wood...
(Japanese harp) player.
- July 5, 967 (KōhōKohoKoho may mean:*Koho language, a member of the Bahnaric family*Kōhō, a Japanese era*Koho , a ice hockey equipment company*KOHO-FM, a radio station*KOHO-AM, a Japanese language radio station in Honolulu, Hawaii active from 1959-2000...
4, 25th day of the 5th month): The former-Emperor Murakami died at the age of 42.
The actual site of Murakami'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 Murakami'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 Murakami 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.
In general, this elite group included only three to four men at a time. These were hereditary courtiers whose experience and background have brought them to the pinnacle of a life's career. During Murakami's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:
- Kampaku, Fujiwara no TadahiraFujiwara no Tadahirawas a Japanese statesman, courtier and politician during the Heian period.He is also known as Teishin-Kō or Ko-ichijō Dono or Ko-ichijō daijō-daijin.-Career:...
(藤原忠平), 880-949. - Daijō-daijin, Fujiwara no Tadahira (藤原忠平).
- 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...
, Ono-no Miya Fujiwara no SaneyoriFujiwara no Saneyori, also known as Onomiya-dono, was a Japanese statesman, courtier and politician during the Heian period.-Career:He was a minister during the reigns of Emperor Reizei and Emperor En'yu....
(藤原実頼), 900-970. - 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 Saneyori (藤原実頼). - Udaijin, Fujiwara no MorosukeFujiwara no Morosuke, also known as Kujō-dono or Hōjō udaijin, was a Japanese statesman, courtier and politician during the Heian period.-Career:He was a minister during the reign of Emperor Murakami....
(藤原師輔), 908-960. - Udaijin, Fujiwara no Akitada (藤原顕忠).
- Udaijin, Minamoto no Taka-akira (源高明).
- Nadaijin
- 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 Murakami's reign
The years of murakami's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.- TengyōTengyowas a after Jōhei and before Tenryaku. This period spanned the years from May 938 through April 947. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* February 2, 938 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
(938-947) - TenryakuTenryakuwas a after Tengyō and before Tentoku. This period spanned the years from April 947 through October 957. The reigning emperor was .-Change of era:* January 25, 947 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
(947-957) - TentokuTentokuwas a after Tenryaku and before Ōwa. This period spanned the years from October 957 through February 961. The reigning emperors was .-Change of era:* February 3, 957 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
(957-961) - ŌwaOwaOwa or OWA may refer to:* Owa language, a language of the Solomon Islands* Ōwa, an era in Japanese history-Acronyms:* Open World Assumption, formal reasoning with incomplete knowledge* Ordered Weighted Averaging Aggregation Operators...
(961-964) - KōhōKohoKoho may mean:*Koho language, a member of the Bahnaric family*Kōhō, a Japanese era*Koho , a ice hockey equipment company*KOHO-FM, a radio station*KOHO-AM, a Japanese language radio station in Honolulu, Hawaii active from 1959-2000...
(964-968)
Consorts and Children
EmpressJapanese empresses
In Japan, empress may refer to either or .- Empresses regnant :There were eight female imperial reigns in Japan's early history between 593 and 770, and two more in the early modern period...
: Fujiwara no Anshi
Fujiwara no Anshi
Fujiwara no Anshi was an Empress consort of Japan. She was the consort of Emperor Murakami of Japan.-External links:* http://www.guide2womenleaders.com/japan_heads.htm...
/Yasuko (藤原安子) (927-964), daughter of Fujiwara no Morosuke (藤原師輔)
- Imperial Princess Shōshi (承子内親王) (948-951)
- Imperial Prince Norihira (憲平親王) (950-1011) (2nd son) (Emperor ReizeiEmperor Reizeiwas the 63rd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Reizei's reign spanned the years from 967 through 969.-Traditional narrative:...
) - Imperial Prince Tamehira (為平親王) (952-1010)
- Imperial Princess Sukeko (輔子内親王) (953-992) (7th daughter), 32nd 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 ....
968-969 - Imperial Princess Shishi (資子内親王) (955-1015) (9th daughter)
- Imperial Prince Morihira (守平親王) (959-991) (Emperor En'yuEmperor En'yuwas the 64th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.En'yū's reign spanned the years from 969 through 984.-Traditional narrative:Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name was Morihira-shinnō....
) - Imperial Princess Senshi (選子内親王) (964-1035) (10th daughter), 16th 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...
975-1031
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 Jutsushi/Nobuko (藤原述子) (933-947), daughter of Fujiwara no Saneyori (藤原実頼)
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 Kishi (徽子女王) (929-985), daughter of Imperial Prince Shigeakira (重明親王)
- Imperial Princess Kishi/Noriko (規子内親王) (949-986) (4th daughter), 34th 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 ....
975-984
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 Sōshi/Takako (荘子女王) (930-1008), daughter of Imperial Prince Yoakira (代明親王)
- Imperial Princess Rakushi (楽子内親王) (952-998) (6th daughter), 31st 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 ....
955-967 - Imperial Prince Tomohira (具平親王) (964-1009), called Nochi no Chūshoō (後中書王)
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 Hōshi (藤原芳子) (?-967), daughter of Fujiwara no Morotada
Fujiwara no Morotada
was a Japanese statesman, courtier and politician during the Heian period.-Career:He was a minister during the reign of Emperor Reizei.* 968 : Morotada is named udaijin....
(藤原師尹)
- Imperial Prince Masahira (昌平親王) (956-961)
- Imperial Prince Nagahira (永平親王) (965-988)
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...
: Minamoto no Kazuko (源計子) (?-?), daughter of Minamoto no Moroakira (源庶明)
- Imperial Princess Rishi (理子内親王) (948-960)
- Imperial Princess Seishi (盛子内親王) (?-998), married to Fujwiara no Akimitsu (藤原顕光) in 965
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...
: Fujiwara no Masahime (藤原正妃) (?-967), daughter of Fujiwara no Arihira (藤原在衡)
- Imperial Princess Hoshi (保子内親王) (949-987) (3rd daughter), married to Fujiwara no Kaneie (藤原兼家)
- Imperial Prince Munehira (致平親王) (951-1041)
- Imperial Prince Akihira (昭平親王) (954-1013)
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...
: Fujiwara no Sukehime (藤原祐姫) (?-?), daughter of Fujiwara no Motokata (藤原元方)
- Imperial Prince Hirohira (広平親王) (950-971) (1st son)
- Imperial Princess Shūshi (緝子内親王) (?-970) (8th daughter)
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...
: Fujiwara no Shūshi (藤原脩子) (?-?), daughter of Fujiwara no Asahira (藤原朝成)
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...
: Fujiwara no Yūjo (藤原有序) (?-?), daughter of Fujiwara no Arisuke (藤原有相)
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...
- Emperor Go-MurakamiEmperor Go-Murakamiwas the 97th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession, and a member of the Southern Court during the Nanboku-chō period of rival courts. He reigned from September 18, 1339 until March 29, 1368 . His personal name was...