Emperor Shirakawa
Encyclopedia
was the 72nd emperor
of Japan
, according to the traditional order of succession.
Shirakawa's reign lasted from 1073 to 1087.
, his personal name (imina) was Sadahito-shinnō (貞仁親王).
He was the eldest son of Emperor Go-Sanjō
.
Shirakawa had one Empress and one Imperial Consort and nine Imperial sons and daughters.
.
When he was very young, his relations with his father
were very cold, but in 1068, when his father was enthroned, he was proclaimed a shinnō (Imperial Prince), becoming Imperial Prince Sadahito. In 1069, he became Crown Prince
and in due course, he became emperor at the age of 19.
A kampaku was put in place, but Shirakawa attempted to rule directly, like his father. He attempted to regulate the shōen (manor) system, working to weaken the influence of the sekkan
lines.
Go-Sanjō had wished for Shirakawa's younger half-brother to succeed him to the throne. In 1085, this half-brother died of an illness; and Shirakawa's own son, Taruhito-shinnō (善仁親王) became Crown Prince.
On the same day that Taruhito was proclaimed as his heir, Shirakawa abdicated;, and Taruhito became Emperor Horikawa
. The now-retired Emperor Shirakawa was the first to attempt what became customary cloistered rule
. He exercised power, ruling indirectly from the Shirakawa-in (lit. "White River Mansion/Temple"); nevertheless, nominal sesshō and kampaku offices continued to exist for a long time.
In 1096, on the occasion of his daughter's death, Shirakawa entered a monastery under the name of Yūkan (融観); and thus, he became a hō-ō (法皇), which is the title accorded to a former emperor who has become a monk.
After the death of Emperor Horikawa, Shirakawa's grandson became Emperor Toba
. Shirakawa was still alive when Toba abdicated in turn to his son, who became Emperor Sutoku
. By the time of his death in 1129, he had ruled as cloistered Emperor
for 41 years and through the reigns of three emperors who were effectively little more than figureheads.
This emperor's posthumous name comes from Shirakawa-in (白河院), the name of the residence from which he conducted his cloistered rule
after abdicating the throne. Another name was Rokujō no Mikado (六条帝, Mikado
being an old name for the Emperor of Japan
).
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 Shirakawa's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:
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.
Shirakawa's reign lasted from 1073 to 1087.
Genealogy
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 Sadahito-shinnō (貞仁親王).
He was the eldest son of Emperor Go-Sanjō
Emperor Go-Sanjo
was 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"...
.
Shirakawa had one Empress and one Imperial Consort and nine Imperial sons and daughters.
- 1074–1077 Imperial Prince Atsufumi (敦文親王)
- 1075–1105 Prince Kakugyō (覚行法親王)—Buddhist Priest
- 1076–1096 Imperial Princess ?? (媞子内親王), Empress Dowager Ikuyoshi (郁芳門院)
- 1076–1131 Imperial Princess ?? (善子内親王)—Rokkaku >saigū (Imperial Princess serving at the Grand Shrine of Ise)
- 1078–1144 Imperial Princess ?? (令子内親王)—saigū
- 1079–1107 Imperial Princes Taruhito (善仁親王)—Emperor HorikawaEmperor Horikawawas the 73rd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Horikawa's reign spanned the years from 1087 through 1107.-Traditional narrative:...
- 1081–1156 Imperial Princess ?? (禛子内親王)—Tsuchimikado Saiin (土御門斎院)
- 1090–???? Imperial Princess ?? (宮子内親王)—Saiin (斎院)
- 1092–1153 Prince ?? (覚法法親王)—Buddhist Priest
- 1093–1132 Imperial Princess Junko (恂子内親王)—Higuchi saigū 樋口斎宮
- 1094–1137 Prince ?? (聖恵法親王)—Buddhist Priest
- 1101–1165 Gyōkei (行慶)—High Priest
- 1128–???? Engyō? (円行)
- ?? (静證)
Empresses and consorts
- 1057–1084 Empress (chūgū): Fujiwara no KenshiFujiwara no Kenshi (Shirakawa)Fujiwara no Kenshi was an Empress consort of Japan. She was the consort of Emperor Shirakawa of Japan.- Sources :...
(藤原賢子)—daughter of Minamoto Akifusa (源顕房), adopted by Fujiwara Morozane (藤原師実); mother of Emperor HorikawaEmperor Horikawawas the 73rd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Horikawa's reign spanned the years from 1087 through 1107.-Traditional narrative:... - 1042–1132 Court Lady: Fujiwara ?? (藤原道子)—daughter of Fujiwara ?? (藤原能長)
- 1070–1148 Court Lady: Minamoto ?? (源師子)—daughter of Minamoto Akifusa (源顕房), later wife of Fujiwara no Tadazane (藤原忠実)
- Lady-in-waitingLady-in-waitingA lady-in-waiting is a female personal assistant at a royal court, attending on a queen, a princess, or a high-ranking noblewoman. Historically, in Europe a lady-in-waiting was often a noblewoman from a family highly thought of in good society, but was of lower rank than the woman on whom she...
Fujiwara ?? (藤原佳子)
Events of Shirakawa's life
He was the first emperor to ostensibly retire to a monastery, but in fact continue to exert considerable influence over his successor. This process would become known as cloistered ruleCloistered rule
The Insei system , or cloistered rule, was a specific form of government in Japan during the Heian period. In this bifurcated system, an Emperor abdicated, but he retained power and influence. The emperors who withdrew to live in monasteries continued to act in ways which were intended to...
.
When he was very young, his relations with his father
Emperor Go-Sanjo
was 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"...
were very cold, but in 1068, when his father was enthroned, he was proclaimed a shinnō (Imperial Prince), becoming Imperial Prince Sadahito. In 1069, he became Crown Prince
Crown Prince
A crown prince or crown princess is the heir or heiress apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The wife of a crown prince is also titled crown princess....
and in due course, he became emperor at the age of 19.
- January 18, 1073 (EnkyūEnkyuwas a after Jiryaku and before Jōhō. This period spanned the years from April 1069 through August 1074. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of Era:* 1069 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
4, on the 8th day of the 12th month): In the 6th year of Emperor Go-Sanjō-tennō 's reign (桓武天皇6年), the emperor abdicated; and the succession (‘‘senso’’) was received by his son. Shortly thereafter, Emperor Shirakawa is said to have acceded to the throne (‘‘sokui’’).
A kampaku was put in place, but Shirakawa attempted to rule directly, like his father. He attempted to regulate the shōen (manor) system, working to weaken the influence of the sekkan
Sessho and Kampaku
In Japan, was a title given to a regent who was named to assist either a child emperor before his coming of age, or an empress. The was theoretically a sort of chief advisor for the emperor, but was the title of both first secretary and regent who assists an adult emperor. During the Heian era,...
lines.
- 1074 (JōhōJohowas a Japanese era name after Enkyū and before Jōryaku. This period spanned the years from August 1074 through November 1077. The reigning emperor was .-Change of Era:...
1, 1st month): Dianagon Minamoto- no Takakune asked to be relieved of his duties because of his age. He was 71, and he wanted to retire to Uji. In his retirement, he was visited by many friends with whom he pursued research into the history of Japan. He brought this work together in a book. - 1074 (Jōhō 1, 7th day of the 2nd month): The former kampaku Fujiwara Yorimichi died at the age of 83. In this same period, his sister, the widow of Emperor Ichijo, died at the age of 87.
- 1074 (Jōhō 1, 3rd day of the 10th month): Empress Jōtō-mon In died at the age of 87.
- 1077 (JōryakuJoryakuwas a Japanese era name after Jōhō and before Eihō. This period spanned the years from November 1077 through February 1081. The reigning emperor was .-Change of Era:...
1, 1st month): Shirakawa went to the Kamo Shrines; and he visited Kiyomizu-deraKiyomizu-dera, officially is an independent Buddhist temple in eastern Kyoto. The temple is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage site...
and other Buddhist temples. - 1077 (Jōryaku 1, 2nd month): Udaijin Minamoto no Morofusa died at of an ulcer at the age of 70.
- 1077 (Jōryaku 1): The emperor caused Hosshō-jiHossho-jiis a Buddhist temple in northeastern Kyoto, Japan, endowed by Emperor Shirakawa in fulfillment of a sacred vow. The temple complex was located east of the Kamo River in the Shirakawa district; and its chief architectural feature was a nine-storied octagonal pagoda.Hosshō-ji is known as one of the...
(dedicated to the "Superiority of Buddhist Law") to be built at Shirakawa in fulfillment of a sacred vow. This temple became only the first of a series of "sacred vow" temples to be created by Imperial decree. Hosshō-ji's nine-storied pagoda would become the most elaborate Imperial-sponsored temple structure ever erected up to this time. - 1079 (Jōryaku 3, i10th month): The emperor visited the Fushimi Inari-taishaFushimi Inari-taishais the head shrine of Inari, located in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Japan. The shrine sits at the base of a mountain also named Inari, and includes trails up the mountain to many smaller shrines....
at the foot of Mount Fushimi and the Yasaka ShrineYasaka Shrine', once called , is a Shinto shrine in the Gion District of Kyoto, Japan. Situated at the east end of Shijō-dōri , the shrine includes several buildings, including gates, a main hall and a stage.-History:...
.
- May 26, 1081 (EihōEihowas a after Jōryaku and before Ōtoku. This period spanned the years from February 1081 through April 1084. The reigning emperor was .-Change of Era:* February 12, 1081 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
1, 15th day of the 4th month): The Buddhist Temple of Miidera was set on fire by the monks of a rival sect on Mt. Hiei. - 1081 (Eihō 1, 4th day of the 6th month): Miidera was burned again by monks from Mt. Hiei.
- 1083 (Eihō 3, 10th month): At Hosshō-ji, construction begins on a nine-story pagoda.
- 1084 (ŌtokuOtokuwas a after Eihō and before Kanji. This period spanned the years from February 1084 through April 1087. The reigning emperor was .-Change of Era:* February 9, 1084 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
1, 9th month): The empress Kenshi, the emperor's principal consort, died. Shirakawa was afflicted with great grief, and for a time, he turned over the administration of the government to his ministers. - 1087 (Ōtoku 3, 9th month): Shirakawa announced his intention to abdicate in favor of his son.
- January 3, 1087 (Ōtoku 3, 26th day of the 11th month): Shirakawa formally abdicated, and he took the title Daijō-tennō. Shirakawa had personally occupied the throne for 14 years; and for the next 43 years, he would exercise broad powers in what will come to be known as cloistered ruleCloistered ruleThe Insei system , or cloistered rule, was a specific form of government in Japan during the Heian period. In this bifurcated system, an Emperor abdicated, but he retained power and influence. The emperors who withdrew to live in monasteries continued to act in ways which were intended to...
.
Go-Sanjō had wished for Shirakawa's younger half-brother to succeed him to the throne. In 1085, this half-brother died of an illness; and Shirakawa's own son, Taruhito-shinnō (善仁親王) became Crown Prince.
On the same day that Taruhito was proclaimed as his heir, Shirakawa abdicated;, and Taruhito became Emperor Horikawa
Emperor Horikawa
was the 73rd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Horikawa's reign spanned the years from 1087 through 1107.-Traditional narrative:...
. The now-retired Emperor Shirakawa was the first to attempt what became customary cloistered rule
Cloistered rule
The Insei system , or cloistered rule, was a specific form of government in Japan during the Heian period. In this bifurcated system, an Emperor abdicated, but he retained power and influence. The emperors who withdrew to live in monasteries continued to act in ways which were intended to...
. He exercised power, ruling indirectly from the Shirakawa-in (lit. "White River Mansion/Temple"); nevertheless, nominal sesshō and kampaku offices continued to exist for a long time.
- 1087 (KanjiKanjiKanji are the adopted logographic Chinese characters hanzi that are used in the modern Japanese writing system along with hiragana , katakana , Indo Arabic numerals, and the occasional use of the Latin alphabet...
1, 5th month): Daijō-tennō Shirakawa retired himself to Uji. - 1088 (Kanji 2, in the 1st month): The emperor paid a visit to his father's home.
- 1088 (Kanji 2, 10th month): Shirakawa visited the temples at Mt. Hiei.
- 1088 (Kanji 2, 14th day of the 12th): The sesshō Fujiwara Morozane was given additional honors with the further title of daijō-daijin. In this context, it matters a great deal that the mother of Emperor Horikowa, formerly the daughter of udaijin Minamoto no Akifusa, was also formerly the adopted child of Morozane.
- 1089 (Kanji 3, 5th month): Shirakawa made a second visit to Mt. Hiei; and this time, he stayed seven days.
- 1090 (Kanji 4, 12th month): Fujiwara Morozane was relieved of his responsibilities as sesshō and he was simultaneously named kampaku.
- 1094 (Kanji 8, 8th day of the 3rd month): Morozane resigned from his position as kampaku.
- 1095 (KahōKahowas a after Kanji and before Eichō. This period spanned the years from December 1094 through December 1096. The reigning emperor was .-Change of Era:* January 19, 1094 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
2, i4th month): Emperor Horikawa paid visits to the ShintoShintoor 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...
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...
and to the Shinto Kamo Shrines. - 1095 (Kahō 2, 8th month): The emperor was stricken with intermittent fevers; and he ordered prayers to be offered for his return to good health. After Horikawa recovered his health, he was generous and appreciative to the Buddhist priests who had prayed for his recovery.
- 1095 (Kahō 2, 11th month): The Buddhist priests of Mt. Hiei came down from their mountain to protest a dispute with Minamoto Yoshitsuna and other government officials which had led to military action and bloodshed. The priests carried a portable shrine as far as the central hall of Enryaku-jiEnryaku-jithumb|300px|Konpon Chū-dō , Enryaku-ji's main hall is a Tendai monastery located on Mount Hiei in Ōtsu, overlooking Kyoto. It was founded during the early Heian period. The temple complex was established by Saichō , also known as Dengyō Daishi, who introduced the Tendai sect of Mahayana Buddhism...
, where a curse was laid on daijō-daijin Fujiwara Moromichi. - 1096 (Kahō 3, 9th day of the 11th month): Former-Emperor Shirakawa entered the Buddhist priesthood at the age of 44.
In 1096, on the occasion of his daughter's death, Shirakawa entered a monastery under the name of Yūkan (融観); and thus, he became a hō-ō (法皇), which is the title accorded to a former emperor who has become a monk.
After the death of Emperor Horikawa, Shirakawa's grandson became Emperor Toba
Emperor Toba
was the 74th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Toba's reign spanned the years from 1107 through 1123.- Genealogy :...
. Shirakawa was still alive when Toba abdicated in turn to his son, who became Emperor Sutoku
Emperor Sutoku
was the 75th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Sutoku's reign spanned the years from 1123 through 1142.-Genealogy:Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name was Akihito ....
. By the time of his death in 1129, he had ruled as cloistered Emperor
Cloistered rule
The Insei system , or cloistered rule, was a specific form of government in Japan during the Heian period. In this bifurcated system, an Emperor abdicated, but he retained power and influence. The emperors who withdrew to live in monasteries continued to act in ways which were intended to...
for 41 years and through the reigns of three emperors who were effectively little more than figureheads.
This emperor's posthumous name comes from Shirakawa-in (白河院), the name of the residence from which he conducted his cloistered rule
Cloistered rule
The Insei system , or cloistered rule, was a specific form of government in Japan during the Heian period. In this bifurcated system, an Emperor abdicated, but he retained power and influence. The emperors who withdrew to live in monasteries continued to act in ways which were intended to...
after abdicating the throne. Another name was Rokujō no Mikado (六条帝, Mikado
Mikado
Mikado may refer to:* Mikado, alternative term for Emperor of Japan* The Mikado, a 1885 comic opera by Gilbert and Sullivan- Foods :* Mikado, the European brand name for Pocky, a Japanese chocolate-covered breadstick...
being an old name for the Emperor of Japan
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...
).
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 Shirakawa's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:
- Kampaku, Fujiwara Norimichi, 997-1075.
- Kampaku, Fujiwara Morozane, 1042-1101.
- 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 Morozane. - 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...
- Nadaijin, Fujiwara Moroomichi, 1062-1099.
- 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....
, Minamoto no Takakune.
Eras of Shirakawa's reign
The years of Shirakawa's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.- EnkyūEnkyuwas a after Jiryaku and before Jōhō. This period spanned the years from April 1069 through August 1074. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of Era:* 1069 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
(1069–1074) - JōhōJohowas a Japanese era name after Enkyū and before Jōryaku. This period spanned the years from August 1074 through November 1077. The reigning emperor was .-Change of Era:...
(1074–1077) - JōryakuJoryakuwas a Japanese era name after Jōhō and before Eihō. This period spanned the years from November 1077 through February 1081. The reigning emperor was .-Change of Era:...
(1077–1081) - EihōEihowas a after Jōryaku and before Ōtoku. This period spanned the years from February 1081 through April 1084. The reigning emperor was .-Change of Era:* February 12, 1081 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
(1081–1084) - ŌtokuOtokuwas a after Eihō and before Kanji. This period spanned the years from February 1084 through April 1087. The reigning emperor was .-Change of Era:* February 9, 1084 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
(1084–1087)
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-ShirakawaEmperor Go-ShirakawaEmperor Go-Shirakawa was the 77th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession...