Emperor Nimmyo
Encyclopedia
was the 54th emperor of Japan
, according to the traditional order of succession. Ninmyō's reign lasted from 833 to 850.
and the Empress Tachibana no Kachiko. His personal name (imina) was . After his death, he was given the title .
Ninmyō had nine Empresses, Imperial consorts, and concubines (kōi); and the emperor had 24 Imperial sons and daughters.
Emperor Ninmyō is traditionally venerated at his tomb; the Imperial Household Agency
designates , in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto
, as the location of Ninmyō's mausoleum
.
.
Shortly after Ninmyo was enthroned, he designated an heir. He named as Prince Tsunesada, a son of former Emperor Junna, as the crown prince.
In his lifetime, Ninmyō could not have anticipated that his third son, Prince Tokiyasu
, would eventually ascend the throne in 884 as Emperor Kōkō
.
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 would have brought them to the pinnacle of a life's career. During Ninmyō's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:
Nyōgo: Fujiwara no Takushi (藤原沢子) (?-839), daughter of Fujiwara no Fusatsugu (藤原総継)
Nyōgo: Fujiwara no Teishi/Sadako (藤原貞子) (?-864), daughter of Fujiwara no Mimori (藤原三守)
Nyōgo: Tachibana no Kageko (橘影子) (?-864), daughter of Tachibana no Ujikimi (橘氏公)
Koui: Ki no Taneko (紀種子) (?-869), daughter of Ki no Natora (紀名虎)
Koui(deposed in 845): A daughter of Mikuni clan, Mikuni-machi (三国町)
Court lady: Shigeno no Tsunako (滋野縄子), daughter of Shigeno no Sadanushi (滋野貞主)
Court lady: Fujiwara no Katoko (藤原賀登子), daughter of Fujiwara no Fukutomaro (藤原福当麻呂)
Court lady: Fujiwara no Warawako (藤原小童子), daughter of Fujiwara no Michitō (藤原道遠)
Court lady: Princess Takamune (高宗女王), daughter of Prince Okaya (岡屋王)
Court lady (Nyoju): Kudara no Yōkyō (百済永慶), daughter of Kudara no Kyōfuku (百済教復)
Court lady: A daughter of Yamaguchi clan (山口氏の娘)
(from unknown women)
Emperor 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...
, according to the traditional order of succession. Ninmyō's reign lasted from 833 to 850.
Traditional narrative
Ninmyō was the second son of Emperor SagaEmperor Saga
was the 52nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Saga's reign spanned the years from 809 through 823.-Traditional narrative:...
and the Empress Tachibana no Kachiko. His personal name (imina) was . After his death, he was given the title .
Ninmyō had nine Empresses, Imperial consorts, and concubines (kōi); and the emperor had 24 Imperial sons and daughters.
Emperor Ninmyō is traditionally venerated at his tomb; 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 , in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto
Fushimi-ku, Kyoto
is one of the eleven wards in the city of Kyoto, in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. Famous places in Fushimi include the Fushimi Inari Shrine, with thousands of torii lining the paths up and down a mountain; Fushimi Castle, originally built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, with its rebuilt towers and gold-lined...
, as the location of Ninmyō'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...
.
Events of Ninmyō's life
Ninmyō ascended to the throne following the abdication of his uncle, Emperor JunnaEmperor Junna
was the 53rd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Junna reigned from 823 to 833.-Traditional narrative:Junna had six Empresses and Imperial consorts and 13 Imperial sons and daughters...
.
- January 6, 823 : Received the title of Crown Prince at the age of 14.
- March 22, 833 : In the 10th year of Emperor Junna's reign, the emperor abdicated; and the succession (senso) was received by his adopted son. Masara-shinnō was the natural son of Emperor Saga, and therefore would have been Junna's nephew. Shortly thereafter, Emperor Ninmyo is said to have acceded to the throne (sokui).
Shortly after Ninmyo was enthroned, he designated an heir. He named as Prince Tsunesada, a son of former Emperor Junna, as the crown prince.
- 835 : KūkaiKukaiKūkai , also known posthumously as , 774–835, was a Japanese monk, civil servant, scholar, poet, and artist, founder of the Shingon or "True Word" school of Buddhism. Shingon followers usually refer to him by the honorific titles of and ....
(known posthumously as Kōbō-Daishi) died. This monk, scholar, poet, and artist had been the founder of the Shingon or "True Word" school of BuddhismBuddhismBuddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
.
- 842: Following a coup d'état, Tsunesada the crown prince was replaced with Ninmyō's first son, Prince Michiyasu (later Emperor MontokuEmperor Montokuwas the 55th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.The years of Montoku's spanned the years from 850 through 858.-Traditional narrative:...
) whose mother was the Empress Fujiwara no Junshi, a daughter of sadaijin Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu. It is supposed that this was the result of political intrigue planned by Ninmyō and 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...
. The first of what would become a powerful line of Fujiwara regents, Yoshifusa had numerous family ties to the imperial court; he was Ninmyō's brother in law (by virtue of his sister who became Ninmyō's consort), the second son of sadaijin Fuyutsugu, and uncle to the new crown prince.
In his lifetime, Ninmyō could not have anticipated that his third son, Prince Tokiyasu
Emperor Koko
was the 58th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Kōkō reigned from 884 to 887.- Traditional narrative :Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name was or Komatsu-tei. He would later be identified sometimes as "the Emperor of...
, would eventually ascend the throne in 884 as Emperor Kōkō
Emperor Koko
was the 58th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Kōkō reigned from 884 to 887.- Traditional narrative :Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name was or Komatsu-tei. He would later be identified sometimes as "the Emperor of...
.
- May 6, 850 (): Emperor Ninmyō died at the age of 41. He was sometimes posthumously referred to as "the Emperor of Fukakusa," because that was the name given to his tomb.
Eras of Ninmyō's reign
The years of Ninmyō's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name (nengō).- TenchōTenchowas a after Kōnin and before Jōwa. This period spanned the years from January 824 through January 834. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* February 6, 824 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
(824-834) - JōwaJowa (Heian period)was a after Tenchō and before Kashō. This period spanned the years from January 834 through July 848. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* February 14, 834 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
(834-848) - 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)
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 would have brought them to the pinnacle of a life's career. During Ninmyō's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:
- 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 no OtsuguFujiwara no Otsuguwas a Japanese statesman, courtier, politician and editor during the Heian period. He is credited as one of the collaborative compilers of the Nihon Kōki.-Career at court:He was a minister during the reigns of Emperor Saga, Emperor Junna and Emperor Nimmyō....
(藤原緒嗣), 773-843. - Sadaijin, Minamoto no Tokiwa (源常), 812-854.
- 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...
, Kiyohara no Natsuno (清原夏野), 782-837. - Udaijin, Fujiwara no Mimori (藤原三守), d. 840.
- Udaijin, Minamoto no Tokiwa (源常)
- Udaijin, Tachibana no Ujikimi (橘氏公), 783-847.
- 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...
(藤原良房), 804-872. - Udaijin, Fujiwara no Otsugu, 825-832
- 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....
, Fujiwara no Otsugu, ?-825.
Consorts and children
Nyōgo (Tai-Kōtaigō): Fujiwara no Junshi (藤原順子) (809-871), daughter of Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu (藤原冬嗣)- Imperial Prince Michiyasu (道康親王) (Emperor MontokuEmperor Montokuwas the 55th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.The years of Montoku's spanned the years from 850 through 858.-Traditional narrative:...
) (827-858)
Nyōgo: Fujiwara no Takushi (藤原沢子) (?-839), daughter of Fujiwara no Fusatsugu (藤原総継)
- Imperial Prince Muneyasu (宗康親王) (828-868)
- Imperial Prince Tokiyasu (時康親王) (Emperor KōkōEmperor Kokowas the 58th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Kōkō reigned from 884 to 887.- Traditional narrative :Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name was or Komatsu-tei. He would later be identified sometimes as "the Emperor of...
) (830-887) - Imperial Prince Saneyasu (人康親王) (831-872)
- Imperial Princess Shinshi (新子内親王) (?-897)
Nyōgo: Fujiwara no Teishi/Sadako (藤原貞子) (?-864), daughter of Fujiwara no Mimori (藤原三守)
- Imperial Prince Nariyasu (成康親王) (836-853)
- Imperial Princess Shinshi (親子内親王) (?-851)
- Imperial Princess Heishi (平子内親王) (?-877)
Nyōgo: Tachibana no Kageko (橘影子) (?-864), daughter of Tachibana no Ujikimi (橘氏公)
Koui: Ki no Taneko (紀種子) (?-869), daughter of Ki no Natora (紀名虎)
- Imperial Prince Tsuneyasu (常康親王) (?-869)
- Imperial Princess Shinshi/Saneko (真子内親王) (?-870)
Koui(deposed in 845): A daughter of Mikuni clan, Mikuni-machi (三国町)
- Sada no Noboru (貞登), given the family name 'Sada' from Emperor (Shisei Kōka, 賜姓降下) in 866
Court lady: Shigeno no Tsunako (滋野縄子), daughter of Shigeno no Sadanushi (滋野貞主)
- Imperial Prince Motoyasu (本康親王) (?-902)
- Imperial Princess Tokiko (時子内親王) (?-847), 2nd 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...
831-833 - Imperial Princess Jūshi (柔子内親王) (?-869)
Court lady: Fujiwara no Katoko (藤原賀登子), daughter of Fujiwara no Fukutomaro (藤原福当麻呂)
- Imperial Prince Kuniyasu (国康親王) (?-898)
Court lady: Fujiwara no Warawako (藤原小童子), daughter of Fujiwara no Michitō (藤原道遠)
- Imperial Princess Shigeko (重子内親王) (?-865)
Court lady: Princess Takamune (高宗女王), daughter of Prince Okaya (岡屋王)
- Imperial Princess Hisako (久子内親王) (?-876), 18th 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 ....
833-850.
Court lady (Nyoju): Kudara no Yōkyō (百済永慶), daughter of Kudara no Kyōfuku (百済教復)
- Imperial Princess Takaiko (高子内親王) (?-866), 3rd 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...
833-850
Court lady: A daughter of Yamaguchi clan (山口氏の娘)
- Minamoto no Satoru (源覚) (849-879)
(from unknown women)
- Minamoto no Masaru (源多) (831-888), Udaijin 882-888
- Minamoto no Suzushi (源冷) (835-890), Sangi 882-890
- Minamoto no Hikaru (源光) (846-913), Udaijin 901-913
- Minamoto no Itaru (源効)
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-FukakusaEmperor Go-Fukakusawas the 89th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. This reign spanned the years 1246 through 1260....
, a later emperor named in honor of Emperor Ninmyō - Shoku Nihon KōkiShoku Nihon Kokiis an officially commissioned Japanese history text. Completed in 869, it is the fourth volume in the Six National Histories. It covers the years 833-850.-Background:...
, a Japanese national historyRikkokushiis 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...
covering Emperor Ninmyō's reign.