Emperor Saga
Encyclopedia
was the 52nd emperor of Japan
, according to the traditional order of succession. Saga's reign spanned the years from 809 through 823.
Emperor Saga was the second son of Emperor Kammu
, and younger brother of Emperor Heizei
by the same mother. He had nine Empresses and consorts; and 47 Imperial sons and daughters. His personal name was . Saga was an "accomplished calligrapher" able to compose in Chinese who held the first imperial poetry competitions (naien). According to legend, he was the first Japanese emperor to drink tea
.
Emperor Saga is traditionally venerated at his tomb; the Imperial Household Agency
designates , in Ukyō-ku, Kyoto
, as the location of Saga's mausoleum
.
Soon after his enthronement, Saga himself took ill. Emperor Saga's untimely health problems provided former-Emperor Heizei with a unique opportunity to foment a rebellion; however, forces loyal to Emperor Saga, led by taishōgun Sakanoue no Tamuramaro
, quickly defeated the Heizei rebels which thus limited the adverse consequences which would have followed any broader conflict. This same Tamuramaro is remembered in Aomori
's annual nebuta or neputa matsuri which feature a number of gigantic, specially-constructed, illuminated paper floats. These great lantern-structures are colorfully painted with mythical figures; and teams of men carry them through the streets as crowds shout encouragement. This early ninth century military leader is commemorated in this way because he is said to have ordered huge illuminated lanterns to be placed at the top of hills; and when the curious Emishi
approached these bright lights to investigate, they were captured and subdued by Tamuramaro's men.
are also known as Genji (源氏), and of these, the Saga Genji (嵯峨源氏) are descended from 52nd emperor Saga. Saga's grandson, Minamoto no Tōru
, is thought to be an inspiration for the protagonist of the novel The Tale of Genji
.
Emperor Saga played an important role as a stalwart supporter of the Buddhist
monk Kūkai
. The emperor helped Kūkai to establish the Shingon School of Buddhism by granting him the Toji
temple in the capital Heian-kyō
(present day Kyoto
).
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 Saga's reign (809-823), this kugyō included:
Empress: Tachibana no Kachiko
(橘嘉智子) (786-850), also known as , daughter of Tachibana no Kiyotomo (橘清友).
Hi(deposed): Princess Takatsu (高津内親王) (?-841), daughter of Emperor Kammu
Hi: Tajihi no Takako (多治比高子) (787-825), daughter of Tajihi no Ujimori (多治比氏守)
Bunin: Fujiwara no Onatsu (藤原緒夏) (?-855), daughter of Fujiwara no Uchimaro (藤原内麻呂)
Nyōgo: Ōhara no Kiyoko (大原浄子) (?-841), daughter of Ōhara no Yakatsugu (大原家継)
Nyōgo: Princess Katano (交野女王), daughter of Prince Yamaguchi (山口王)
Nyōgo: Kudara no Kimyō (百済貴命) (?-851), daughter of Kudara no Shuntetsu (百済俊哲)
Koui: Iidaka no Yakatoji (飯高宅刀自)
Koui: Akishino no Koko (秋篠高子/康子), daughter of Akishino no Yasuhito (秋篠安人)
Koui: Yamada no Chikako (山田近子)
Court lady (Naishi-no-kami): Kudara no Kyomyō (百済慶命) (?-849), daughter of Kudara no Kyōshun (百済教俊)
Court lady: Takashina no Kawako (高階河子), daughter of Takashina no Kiyoshina (高階浄階)
Court lady: Fun'ya no Fumiko (文屋文子), daughter of Fun'ya no Kugamaro (文屋久賀麻呂)
Court lady: A daughter of Hiroi no Otona (広井弟名の娘)
Court lady: Fuse no Musashiko (布勢武蔵子)
Court lady: A daughter of Kamitsukeno clan (上毛野氏の娘)
Court lady(Nyoju): A daughter of Taima no Osadamaro (当麻治田麻呂の娘)
Court lady: A daughter of Abe no Yanatsu (安部楊津の娘)
Court lady: Kasa no Tsugiko (笠継子), daughter of Kasa no Nakamori (笠仲守)
Court lady: A daughter of Tanaka clan (田中氏の娘)
Court lady: A daughter of Awata clan (粟田氏の娘)
Court lady: Ōhara no Matako (大原全子), daughter of Ōhara no Mamuro (大原真室)
Court lady: A daughter of Koreyoshi no Sadamichi (惟良貞道の娘)
Court lady: A daughter of Nagaoka no Okanari (長岡岡成の娘)
Court lady: A daughter of Ki clan (紀氏の娘)
Court lady: Kura no Kageko (内蔵影子)
Court lady: Kannabi no Iseko (甘南備伊勢子)
Court lady: Tachibana no Haruko (橘春子)
Court lady: Ōnakatomi no Mineko (大中臣峯子)
(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. Saga's reign spanned the years from 809 through 823.
Traditional narrative
Emperor Kammu
was the 50th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Kammu reigned from 781 to 806.-Traditional narrative:Kammu's personal name was . He was the eldest son of Prince Shirakabe , and was born prior to Shirakabe's ascension to the throne...
, and younger brother of Emperor Heizei
Emperor Heizei
, also known as Heijō-tennō. was the 51st emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Heizei's reign lasted from 806 to 809.-Traditional narrative:...
by the same mother. He had nine Empresses and consorts; and 47 Imperial sons and daughters. His personal name was . Saga was an "accomplished calligrapher" able to compose in Chinese who held the first imperial poetry competitions (naien). According to legend, he was the first Japanese emperor to drink tea
Tea
Tea is an aromatic beverage prepared by adding cured leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant to hot water. The term also refers to the plant itself. After water, tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world...
.
Emperor Saga 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 Ukyō-ku, Kyoto
Ukyo-ku, Kyoto
is one of the eleven wards in the city of Kyoto, in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. The word , as opposed to , refers to the western half of the ancient capital of Heiankyō – the palace faced south, hence west was to the right...
, as the location of Saga'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 Saga's life
- 806 Saga became the crown prince at age 21.
- June 17, 809 : In the 4th year of Emperor Heizei's reign, he fell ill and abdicated; and the succession (senso) was received by Kammu's second son Saga, the eldest son having become a Buddhist priest. Shortly thereafter, Emperor Saga is said to have acceded to the throne (sokui).
Soon after his enthronement, Saga himself took ill. Emperor Saga's untimely health problems provided former-Emperor Heizei with a unique opportunity to foment a rebellion; however, forces loyal to Emperor Saga, led by taishōgun Sakanoue no Tamuramaro
Sakanoue no Tamuramaro
was a general and shogun of the early Heian Period of Japan. He was the son of Sakanoue no Karitamaro.-Military career:Serving Emperor Kammu, he was appointed shogun and given the task of conquering the Emishi , a people native to the north of Honshū, which he subjugated...
, quickly defeated the Heizei rebels which thus limited the adverse consequences which would have followed any broader conflict. This same Tamuramaro is remembered in Aomori
Aomori Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Tōhoku Region. The capital is the city of Aomori.- History :Until the Meiji Restoration, the area of Aomori prefecture was known as Mutsu Province....
's annual nebuta or neputa matsuri which feature a number of gigantic, specially-constructed, illuminated paper floats. These great lantern-structures are colorfully painted with mythical figures; and teams of men carry them through the streets as crowds shout encouragement. This early ninth century military leader is commemorated in this way because he is said to have ordered huge illuminated lanterns to be placed at the top of hills; and when the curious Emishi
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...
approached these bright lights to investigate, they were captured and subdued by Tamuramaro's men.
- August 24, 842 : Saga died at the age of 57.
Eras of Saga's reign
The years of Saga's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name (nengō).- DaidōDaidowas a after Enryaku and before Kōnin. This period spanned the years from May 806 through September 810. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* November 16, 806 : The new era name 'was created to mark an event or series of events...
(806-810) - KōninKonin (era)was a after Daidō and before Tenchō. This period spanned the years from September 810 through January 824. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* February 9, 810 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
(810-824)
Legacy
In ancient Japan, there were four noble clans, the Gempeitōkitsu (源平藤橘). One of these clans, the Minamoto clanMinamoto clan
was one of the surnames bestowed by the Emperors of Japan upon members of the imperial family who were demoted into the ranks of the nobility. The practice was most prevalent during the Heian Period , although its last occurrence was during the Sengoku Era. The Taira were another such offshoot of...
are also known as Genji (源氏), and of these, the Saga Genji (嵯峨源氏) are descended from 52nd emperor Saga. Saga's grandson, Minamoto no Tōru
Minamoto no Toru
was a Japanese poet and statesman. He was born the grandson of Emperor Saga and a member of the Saga Genji clan. He is sometimes mentioned as the model for Hikaru Genji in important Japanese literary classic the Tale of Genji....
, is thought to be an inspiration for the protagonist of the novel The Tale of Genji
The Tale of Genji
is a classic work of Japanese literature attributed to the Japanese noblewoman Murasaki Shikibu in the early 11th century, around the peak of the Heian period. It is sometimes called the world's first novel, the first modern novel, the first psychological novel or the first novel still to be...
.
Emperor Saga played an important role as a stalwart supporter of the Buddhist
Buddhism
Buddhism 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...
monk Kūkai
Kukai
Kūkai , 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 ....
. The emperor helped Kūkai to establish the Shingon School of Buddhism by granting him the Toji
Toji
Tōji can refer to:* Tō-ji, a temple in Kyoto, Japan.* Dongzhi in pīnyīn is the 22nd solar term in the traditional East Asian calendar.* The job title of a Japanese sake brewer - Sake#Tōji....
temple in the capital Heian-kyō
Heian-kyo
Heian-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....
(present day Kyoto
Kyoto
is 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:...
).
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 Saga's reign (809-823), this kugyō 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...
- 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 Uchimaro (藤原内麿), 806-812. - Udaijin, Fujiwara no Sonohito (藤原園人), 812-818.
- Udaijin, Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu (藤原冬嗣), 821-825.
- Udaijin, Tachibana no Ujikimi.
- Naidaijin
- 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....
Consorts and children
Saga had 49 children by at least 30 different women. Many of the children received the surname Minamoto, thereby removing them from royal succession.Empress: Tachibana no Kachiko
Tachibana no Kachiko
, also known as , was a Japanese empress. She was the chief consort of Emperor Saga. She was the daughter of .The empress was a devout Buddhist. She founded the Buddhist Danrin-ji temple complex, and for this reason, she came to be called Danrin-kōgō....
(橘嘉智子) (786-850), also known as , daughter of Tachibana no Kiyotomo (橘清友).
- Imperial Prince Masara (正良親王) (810-850), Emperor Ninmyo
- Imperial Princess Masako (正子内親王) (810-879), married to Emperor JunnaEmperor Junnawas 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...
- Imperial Princess Hideko (秀子内親王) (?-850)
- Imperial Prince Hidera (秀良親王) (817-895)
- Imperial Princess Toshiko (俊子内親王) (?-826)
- Imperial Princess Yoshiko (芳子内親王) (?-839)
- Imperial Princess Shigeko (繁子内親王) (?-851)
Hi(deposed): Princess Takatsu (高津内親王) (?-841), daughter of Emperor Kammu
Emperor Kammu
was the 50th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Kammu reigned from 781 to 806.-Traditional narrative:Kammu's personal name was . He was the eldest son of Prince Shirakabe , and was born prior to Shirakabe's ascension to the throne...
- Imperial Prince Nariyoshi (業良親王) (?-868)
- Imperial Princess Nariko (業子内親王) (?-815)
Hi: Tajihi no Takako (多治比高子) (787-825), daughter of Tajihi no Ujimori (多治比氏守)
Bunin: Fujiwara no Onatsu (藤原緒夏) (?-855), daughter of Fujiwara no Uchimaro (藤原内麻呂)
Nyōgo: Ōhara no Kiyoko (大原浄子) (?-841), daughter of Ōhara no Yakatsugu (大原家継)
- Imperial Princess Ninshi (仁子内親王) (?-889), 15th 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 ....
809-823
Nyōgo: Princess Katano (交野女王), daughter of Prince Yamaguchi (山口王)
- Imperial Princess Uchiko (有智子内親王) (807-847), 1st 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...
810-831
Nyōgo: Kudara no Kimyō (百済貴命) (?-851), daughter of Kudara no Shuntetsu (百済俊哲)
- Imperial Prince Motora (基良親王) (?-831)
- Imperial Prince Tadara (忠良親王) (819-876)
- Imperial Princess Motoko (基子内親王) (?-831)
Koui: Iidaka no Yakatoji (飯高宅刀自)
- Minamoto no Tokiwa (源常) (812-854)
- Minamoto no Akira (源明) (814-852/853)
Koui: Akishino no Koko (秋篠高子/康子), daughter of Akishino no Yasuhito (秋篠安人)
- Minamoto no Kiyoshi (源清)
Koui: Yamada no Chikako (山田近子)
- Minamoto no Hiraku(?) (源啓) (829-869)
- Minamoto no Mituhime (源密姫)
Court lady (Naishi-no-kami): Kudara no Kyomyō (百済慶命) (?-849), daughter of Kudara no Kyōshun (百済教俊)
- Minamoto no Yoshihime (源善姫）(814-?)
- Minamoto no Sadamu (源定) (815-863)
- Minamoto no Wakahime (源若姫)
- Minamoto no Shizumu(?) (源鎮) (824-881)
Court lady: Takashina no Kawako (高階河子), daughter of Takashina no Kiyoshina (高階浄階)
- Imperial Princess Sōshi (宗子内親王) (?-854)
Court lady: Fun'ya no Fumiko (文屋文子), daughter of Fun'ya no Kugamaro (文屋久賀麻呂)
- Imperial Princess Junshi (純子内親王) (?-863)
- Imperial Princess Seishi (斉子内親王) (?-853), married to Prince Fujii(son of Emperor Kammu)
- Prince Atsushi (淳王)
Court lady: A daughter of Hiroi no Otona (広井弟名の娘)
- Minamoto no MakotoMinamoto no Makotowas the seventh son of the Japanese Emperor Saga, and was the first courtier to be given the name Minamoto. Initially an honorary name given to a number of unrelated courtiers by a number of different Emperors, the Minamoto clan would grow to be an integrated clan family, one of the most powerful...
(源信) (810-869)
Court lady: Fuse no Musashiko (布勢武蔵子)
- Minamoto no Sadahime (源貞姫) (810-880)
- Minamoto no Hashihime (源端姫)
Court lady: A daughter of Kamitsukeno clan (上毛野氏の娘)
- Minamoto no Hiromu (源弘) (812-863)
Court lady(Nyoju): A daughter of Taima no Osadamaro (当麻治田麻呂の娘)
- Minamoto no Kiyohime (源潔姫) (810-856), married to Fujiwara no Yoshifusa (藤原良房)
- Minamoto no Matahime (源全姫) (812-882), Naishi-no-kami (尚侍)
Court lady: A daughter of Abe no Yanatsu (安部楊津の娘)
- Minamoto no Yutaka(?) (源寛) (813-876)
Court lady: Kasa no Tsugiko (笠継子), daughter of Kasa no Nakamori (笠仲守)
- Minamoto no Ikeru (源生) (821-872)
Court lady: A daughter of Tanaka clan (田中氏の娘)
- Minamoto no Sumu(?) (源澄)
Court lady: A daughter of Awata clan (粟田氏の娘)
- Minamoto no Yasushi (源安) (822-853)
Court lady: Ōhara no Matako (大原全子), daughter of Ōhara no Mamuro (大原真室)
- Minamoto no Tōru (源融) (822-895), Sadaijin
- Minamoto no Tsutomu (源勤) (824-881)
- Minamoto no Mitsuhime (源盈姫)
Court lady: A daughter of Koreyoshi no Sadamichi (惟良貞道の娘)
- Minamoto no Masaru (源勝)
Court lady: A daughter of Nagaoka no Okanari (長岡岡成の娘)
- Minamoto no Sakashi(?) (源賢)
Court lady: A daughter of Ki clan (紀氏の娘)
- Minamoto no Sarahime (源更姫)
Court lady: Kura no Kageko (内蔵影子)
- Minamoto no Kamihime (源神姫)
- Minamoto no Katahime(?) (源容姫)
- Minamoto no Agahime (源吾姫)
Court lady: Kannabi no Iseko (甘南備伊勢子)
- Minamoto no Koehime (源声姫)
Court lady: Tachibana no Haruko (橘春子)
Court lady: Ōnakatomi no Mineko (大中臣峯子)
(from unknown women)
- Minamoto no Tsugu (?) (源継)
- Minamoto no Yoshihime (源良姫)
- Minamoto no Toshihime (源年姫)
See also
- Emperor Go-SagaEmperor Go-SagaEmperor Go-Saga was the 88th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession...
- 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...
- 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...
- List of Emperors of Japan