Emperor Shoko
Encyclopedia
Emperor Shōkō (May 12, 1401 – August 30, 1428) was the 101st emperor
of Japan
, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1412 through 1428.
He was the eldest son of Emperor Go-Komatsu
. His mother was Hinonishi Motoko (日野西資子), daughter of Hino Sukekuni (日野資国). He had no children of his own, and was succeeded by his third cousin, Emperor Go-Hanazono
, great-grandson of the Northern Pretender
Emperor Sukō
.
The name "Shōkō" (称光) was formed by taking one kanji
from the names of the 48th and 49th imperial rulers Empress Shōtoku
(称徳) and Emperor Kōnin
(光仁).
Shōkō became emperor upon the abdication of his father, Go-Komatsu-tennō in Ōei 18, in the 10th month (October 5, 1412). His actual coronation date was two years later.
The "retired" Go-Komatsu ruled as a Cloistered Emperor
during Shōkō's reign.
Shōkō was connected to Ashikaga Yoshimitsu
and the Hino
clan through his mother's side.
Shōkō-tennō was only 12 years old when he assumed the role of formal head of the Daïri
; but "Go-Komatsu-in" had direction of the court [and] the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimochi
was charged with the general superintendence of affairs."
Shōkō was only 12 years old when he began living in the daïri
; but Go-Komatsu, as a Cloistered Emperor
still retained direction of the court and the Shogun was charged with the general superintendence of affairs.
Shōkō had no heirs of his own; and for this reason, Emperor Go-Komatsu
selected Shōkō's third cousin for Shōkō to adopt as heir. This cousin would accede to the Chrysanthemum Throne
at age 10 as Emperor Go-Hanazono
on September 7, 1428 (Shōchō 1, 29th day of the 7th month): Emperor Go-Hanazono
accedes to the throne at age 10.
He is enshrined with other emperors at the imperial tomb at Fukakusa no kita no Misasagi (深草北陵) in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto
.
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 Shōkō's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:
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...
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. His reign spanned the years from 1412 through 1428.
Genealogy
His personal name was Mihito (iniitally written as 躬仁, and later written as 実仁).He was the eldest son of Emperor Go-Komatsu
Emperor Go-Komatsu
Emperor Go-Komatsu was the 100th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. He is officially considered a pretender from May 24, 1382 to October 21, 1392, when Emperor Go-Kameyama abdicated...
. His mother was Hinonishi Motoko (日野西資子), daughter of Hino Sukekuni (日野資国). He had no children of his own, and was succeeded by his third cousin, Emperor Go-Hanazono
Emperor Go-Hanazono
was the 102nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1428 through] 1464....
, great-grandson of the Northern Pretender
Northern Court (Japan)
The , also known as the "Ashikaga Pretenders" or "Northern Pretenders", were a set of six pretenders to the throne of Japan during the Nanboku-chō period from 1336 through 1392...
Emperor Sukō
Emperor Suko
) was the third of Ashikaga Pretenders during the Period of the Northern and Southern Courts in Japan. According to pre-Meiji scholars, his reign spanned the years from 1348 through 1351.-Genealogy:...
.
The name "Shōkō" (称光) was formed by taking one kanji
Kanji
Kanji 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...
from the names of the 48th and 49th imperial rulers Empress Shōtoku
Empress Koken
, also known as , was the 46th and the 48th emperor of Japan respectively, according to the traditional order of succession. Empress Kōken first reigned from 749 to 758, then she reascended the throne as Empress Shōtoku from 765 until her death in 770....
(称徳) and Emperor Kōnin
Emperor Konin
was the 49th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Kōnin's reign lasted from 770 to 781.-Traditional narrative:The personal name of Emperor Kōnin was given was As a son of Imperial Prince Shiki and a grandson of Emperor Tenji., his formal style was Prince Shirakabe...
(光仁).
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- Empress ShōtokuEmpress Koken, also known as , was the 46th and the 48th emperor of Japan respectively, according to the traditional order of succession. Empress Kōken first reigned from 749 to 758, then she reascended the throne as Empress Shōtoku from 765 until her death in 770....
(称徳)-
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- ↓
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- "Shōkō" (称光)
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- ↑
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- Emperor KōninEmperor Koninwas the 49th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Kōnin's reign lasted from 770 to 781.-Traditional narrative:The personal name of Emperor Kōnin was given was As a son of Imperial Prince Shiki and a grandson of Emperor Tenji., his formal style was Prince Shirakabe...
(光仁)
- Empress Shōtoku
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Events of Shōkō's life
He reigned from October 5, 1412 until his death on August 30, 1428.Shōkō became emperor upon the abdication of his father, Go-Komatsu-tennō in Ōei 18, in the 10th month (October 5, 1412). His actual coronation date was two years later.
The "retired" Go-Komatsu ruled as a 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...
during Shōkō's reign.
Shōkō was connected to Ashikaga Yoshimitsu
Ashikaga Yoshimitsu
was the 3rd shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate who ruled from 1368 to 1394 during the Muromachi period of Japan. Yoshimitsu was the son of the second shogun Ashikaga Yoshiakira....
and the Hino
Hino
Hino can mean:A Place:*Hino, Shiga*Hino, Tokyo*Hino, Tottori*Hino District, Tottori*Lake Hino in EstoniaA Company:*Hino Motors, Ltd.A Person*Rei Hino, a character on Sailor Moon*Hikari Hino, a Japanese porn star...
clan through his mother's side.
Shōkō-tennō was only 12 years old when he assumed the role of formal head of the Daïri
Dairi
Dairi may refer to:* The building in which the Japanese Imperial family resided , the women of the Imperial family , the Imperial court of Japan, or an indirect way of referring to the Emperor himself....
; but "Go-Komatsu-in" had direction of the court [and] the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimochi
Ashikaga Yoshimochi
was the 4th shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1394 to 1423 during the Muromachi period of Japan. Yoshimochi was the son of the third shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu....
was charged with the general superintendence of affairs."
- October 5, 1412 (Ōei 18, on the 18th day of the 9th month): Emperor Shōkō was made the new sovereign upon the abdication of his father, Emperor Go-KomatsuEmperor Go-KomatsuEmperor Go-Komatsu was the 100th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. He is officially considered a pretender from May 24, 1382 to October 21, 1392, when Emperor Go-Kameyama abdicated...
; and the succession (‘‘senso’’) was received.
Shōkō was only 12 years old when he began living in the daïri
Dairi
Dairi may refer to:* The building in which the Japanese Imperial family resided , the women of the Imperial family , the Imperial court of Japan, or an indirect way of referring to the Emperor himself....
; but Go-Komatsu, as a 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...
still retained direction of the court and the Shogun was charged with the general superintendence of affairs.
- 1413 (Ōei 20): Shogun Ashikaga YoshimochiAshikaga Yoshimochiwas the 4th shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1394 to 1423 during the Muromachi period of Japan. Yoshimochi was the son of the third shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu....
fell ill, and so he sent an ambassador to the 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 ....
to pray for the return of his health. - January 29, 1415 (Ōei 21, on the 19th day of the 12th month): Enthronement of Emperor Shōkō was two years after thesenso was received. At this point, Emperor Shōkō is said to have acceded to the throne (‘‘sokui’’).
- 1418 (Ōei 25): Rebuilding of Asama ShrineAsama Shrineis a type of Shinto Shrine in Japan centered around the worship of the kami of volcanos in general, and Mount Fuji in particular.Per the Jinja Honchō, there are approximately 1300 Asama shrines in the country, centered primarily in Shizuoka Prefecture and Yamanashi Prefecture, and to a lesser...
at the base of Mount FujiMount Fujiis the highest mountain in Japan at . An active stratovolcano that last erupted in 1707–08, Mount Fuji lies about south-west of Tokyo, and can be seen from there on a clear day. Mount Fuji's exceptionally symmetrical cone is a well-known symbol of Japan and it is frequently depicted in art and...
in Suruga provinceSuruga Provincewas an old province in the area that is today the central part of Shizuoka prefecture. It was sometimes called . Suruga bordered on Izu, Kai, Sagami, Shinano, and Tōtōmi provinces; and had access to the Pacific Ocean through Suruga Bay.-History:...
is ordered by Ashikaga Yoshimochi. - July 18, 1419 (Ōei 26, on the 26th day of the 6th month): Oei InvasionOei InvasionThe , known as the Gihae Eastern Expedition in Korea, was the 1419 military expedition from Joseon against pirate bases on Tsushima Island, which is located in the middle of the Korea Strait between the Korean Peninsula and Kyushu....
. KoreaKoreaKorea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
invaded Tsushima ProvinceTsushima Provincewas an old province of Japan on Tsushima Island which occupied the area corresponding to modern-day Tsushima, Nagasaki. It was sometimes called .-Political History:...
. - 1423 (Ōei 30, 2nd month): Shogun Yoshimochi retires in favor of his son, Ashikaga YoshikatsuAshikaga Yoshikatsuwas the 7th shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1442 to 1443 during the Muromachi period of Japan. Yoshikatsu was the son of 6th shogun Ashikaga Yoshinori.Significant events which shaped the period during which Yoshikatsu was shogun:...
, who is 17 years old. - March 17, 1425 (Ōei 32, on the 27th day of the 2nd month): Shogun Yoshikatsu died at the age of 19 years, having administered the empire for only three years.
- February 3, 1428 (Shōchō 1, 18th day of the 1st month): Shogun Ashikaga YoshimochiAshikaga Yoshimochiwas the 4th shogun of the Ashikaga shogunate who reigned from 1394 to 1423 during the Muromachi period of Japan. Yoshimochi was the son of the third shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu....
, having taken power again after the death of his son, dies himself at the age of 43. - August 30, 1428 (Shōchō 1, 20th day of the 7th month): Emperor Shōkō died at the age of 27.Nihon Ōdai IchiranNihon Odai Ichiranis a 17th century chronicle of the serial reigns of Japanese emperors with brief notes about some of the noteworthy events or other happenings.According to the 1871 edition of the American Cyclopaedia, the translation of Nihon Ōdai Ichiran in 1834 was one of very few books about Japan; and it was...
suggests a cause of death by explaining: "Ce prince, s'occupait de magie et du culte de démons, mens une vie pure, et observa rigoureusement l'abstinence et le jeùne." ("This prince, who occupied himself with magic and the cult of demons, led a pure life, and rigorously observed abstinence and fasting.")
Shōkō had no heirs of his own; and for this reason, Emperor Go-Komatsu
Emperor Go-Komatsu
Emperor Go-Komatsu was the 100th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. He is officially considered a pretender from May 24, 1382 to October 21, 1392, when Emperor Go-Kameyama abdicated...
selected Shōkō's third cousin for Shōkō to adopt as heir. This cousin would accede to the Chrysanthemum Throne
Chrysanthemum 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....
at age 10 as Emperor Go-Hanazono
Emperor Go-Hanazono
was the 102nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1428 through] 1464....
on September 7, 1428 (Shōchō 1, 29th day of the 7th month): Emperor Go-Hanazono
Emperor Go-Hanazono
was the 102nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1428 through] 1464....
accedes to the throne at age 10.
He is enshrined with other emperors at the imperial tomb at Fukakusa no kita no Misasagi (深草北陵) 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...
.
Kugyō
Kugyō (公卿) 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 Shōkō'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...
- 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
- 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 Shōkō's reign
The years of Shōkō's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.- ŌeiOeiwas a after Meitoku and before Shōchō. This period spanned the years from July 1394 through April 1428. Reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* 1394 : The new era name was created because of plague...
(1394–1428) - ShōchōShochowas a after Ōei and before Eikyō, from April 1428 until September 1429. Reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* 1428 : The era name was changed to mark an event or a number of events...
(1428–1429)
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...