Emperor Sutoku
Encyclopedia
was the 75th emperor
of Japan
, according to the traditional order of succession.
Sutoku's reign spanned the years from 1123 through 1142.
, his personal name (his imina) was Akihito (顕仁).
Sutoku was the eldest son of Emperor Toba
. Some old texts say he was actually the son of Toba's grandfather, Emperor Shirakawa
.
In 1151, Sutoko ordered Waka
imperial anthology Shika Wakashū.
In 1156, after failing to put down the Hōgen Rebellion
, he was exile
d to Sanuki Province
(modern-day Kagawa prefecture
on the island of Shikoku
).
Emperor Sutoku's reign lasted for 18 years: two years in the nengō Tenji, 5 years in Daiji, 1 year in Tenshō, 3 years in Chōshō, 6 years in Hōen, and 1 year in Eiji.
The site of Sutoku's grave
is settled. This emperor is traditionally venerated at a memorial
Shinto
shrine
(misasagi) at Kagawa.
The Imperial Household Agency
designates this location as Sutoku's mausoleum
. It is formally named Shiramine 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 would have brought them to the pinnacle of a life's career. During Sutoku's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:
Alternatively, he was said to have transformed into an Ootengu (greater tengu
), whom, along with nurarihyon
, the nine-tailed kitsune
Tamamo-no-Mae and the oni Shuten Dōji, are often called the four greatest yōkai
of Japan.
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.
Sutoku's reign spanned the years from 1123 through 1142.
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 (his imina) was Akihito (顕仁).
-
- Note: Although the Roman alphabet-spellingRomanization of JapaneseThe romanization of Japanese is the application of the Latin alphabet to write the Japanese language. This method of writing is known as , less strictly romaji, literally "Roman letters", sometimes incorrectly transliterated as romanji or rōmanji. There are several different romanization systems...
of the name of this twelfth-century emperor is the same as that of the personal name of the current sovereign of Japan, the 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...
are dissimilar.- Emperor Sutoku, formerly Prince Akihito (顕仁)
- His Imperial Majesty, formerly Prince Akihito (明仁)
- Note: Although the Roman alphabet-spelling
Sutoku was the eldest son of 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 :...
. Some old texts say he was actually the son of Toba's grandfather, Emperor Shirakawa
Emperor Shirakawa
was the 72nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Shirakawa's reign lasted from 1073 to 1087.-Genealogy:Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name was Sadahito-shinnō ....
.
Events of Sutoku's life
- February 25, 1123 (HōanHoanwas a after Gen'ei and before Tenji. This period spanned the years from April 1120 through April 1124. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* February 1, 1120 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
4, 28th day of the 1st month): In the 25th year of Emperor Toba's reign (鳥羽天皇25年), he abdicated; and the succession (‘‘senso’’) was received by his son, aged 5. - Hōan 4, in the 2nd month (1123): Emperor Sutoku is said to have acceded to the throne (‘‘sokui’’).
- 1124 (TenjiTenjiThe word Tenji can refer to several things in Japanese, including:* Tenji is a system of Japanese braille.* Emperor Tenji is the name of an emperor of Japan....
1, 2nd month): Former-Emperor Horikawa and former-Emperor Toba went in carriages to outside the city where they could all together enjoy contemplating the flowers. Taiken-mon In (formerly Fujiwara no Shōshi), who was Toba's empress and Sutoku's mother, joined the procession along with many other women of the court. Their cortege was brilliant and colorful. A great many men of the court in hunting clothes followed the ladies in this parade. Fujiwara Tadamichi then followed in a carriage, accompanied by bands of musicians and women who were to sing for the emperors. - 1124 (Tenji 1, 10th month): Horikawa visited Mount Koya.
- 1125 (Tenji 2, 10th month): The emperor visited 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 the Kamo Shrines; and afterwards, he also visited the shrines HiranoHirano ShrineThe is a Shinto shrine in the city of Kyoto. This shrine is known and popular for its gardens and many trees.-History:The shrine was established in the year 794 by Emperor Kammu when the capital was transferred to Heian-kyō from Nagaoka-kyō. From the earliest years, the shrine has been often...
, ŌharanoŌharano Shrineis a Shinto shrine located in Nishikyō-ku, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan.Ōhorano is dedicated to the Fujiwara tutelary kami, Amenokoyane, who was said to have assisted in the founding of the state.-History:...
, MutsunooMatsunoo Shrineis a Shinto shrine located at the far western end of Shijo Street, approximately 1.3 kilometers south of the Arashiyama district of Kyoto, Japan. It is home to a spring at the base of the mountain, Arashiyama, that is believed to be blessed....
, KitanoKitano Tenman-gu' is a Shinto shrine in Kamigyō-ku, Kyoto, Japan.-History:It was built in 947, to appease the angry spirit of bureaucrat, scholar and poet Sugawara no Michizane, who had been exiled as a result of political maneuvers of his enemies in the Fujiwara clan....
, GionYasaka 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:...
and several others.
- 1128 (DaijiDaiji (era)was a after Tenji and before Tenshō. This period spanned the years from January 1126 through January 1131. The reigning emperor was .-Change of Era:* January 25, 1126 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
3, 3rd month): Taiken-mon In ordered the construction of Enshō-jiEnsho-ji (Antei)was a former Buddhist monastery in northeastern Kyoto, Japan, endowed by Imperial consort Taiken-mon'in in fulfillment of a sacred vow. It is known as one of the , which encompass monastery complexes which enjoyed extravagant Imperial patronage from their inception...
in fulfillment of a sacred vow. This was one in a series of "sacred vow temples" (gogan-ji) built by imperial command following a precedent established by Emperor Shirakawa's 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...
. - 1128 (Daiji 3, 6th month): Fujiwara Tadamichi is relieved of his responsibilities and duties as sesshō (regent); and simultaneously, Tadamichi is named kampaku.
- August 17, 1135 (HōenHoenwas a after Chōshō and before Eiji. This period spanned the years from September 1135 through July 1141. The reigning emperor was .-Change of Era:* February 15, 1035 : The new era name Hōen was created to mark an event or a series of events...
1, 7th day of the 7th month): Former-Emperor Shirakawa died at the age of 77.
- 1141 (EijiEijiwas a after Hōen and before Kōji. This period spanned the years from July 1141 through April 1142. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of Era:* February 9, 1141 : The old era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
1, 3rd month): The former emperor Toba accepted the tonsure in becoming a monk at the age of 39 years.
In 1151, Sutoko ordered Waka
Waka (poetry)
Waka or Yamato uta is a genre of classical Japanese verse and one of the major genres of Japanese literature...
imperial anthology Shika Wakashū.
In 1156, after failing to put down the Hōgen Rebellion
Hogen Rebellion
The was a short civil war fought in order to resolve a dispute about Japanese Imperial succession. The dispute was also about the degree of control exercised by the Fujiwara clan who had become hereditary Imperial regents during the Heian period....
, he was exile
Exile
Exile means to be away from one's home , while either being explicitly refused permission to return and/or being threatened with imprisonment or death upon return...
d to Sanuki Province
Sanuki Province
was an old province of Japan on the island of Shikoku, with the same boundaries as modern Kagawa Prefecture. It was sometimes called .It faced the Inland Sea and bordered on Awa and Iyo Provinces. Across Naruto strait it bordered Awaji Province too. Administratively it was included as a part of...
(modern-day Kagawa prefecture
Kagawa Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on Shikoku island. The capital is Takamatsu.- History :Kagawa was formerly known as Sanuki Province.For a brief period between August 1876 and December 1888, Kagawa was made a part of Ehime Prefecture.-Battle of Yashima:...
on the island of Shikoku
Shikoku
is the smallest and least populous of the four main islands of Japan, located south of Honshū and east of the island of Kyūshū. Its ancient names include Iyo-no-futana-shima , Iyo-shima , and Futana-shima...
).
Emperor Sutoku's reign lasted for 18 years: two years in the nengō Tenji, 5 years in Daiji, 1 year in Tenshō, 3 years in Chōshō, 6 years in Hōen, and 1 year in Eiji.
The site of Sutoku'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 settled. 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 Kagawa.
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 Sutoku'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 Shiramine no misasagi.
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.
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 Sutoku's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:
- Sesshō, Fujiwara Tadamichi, 1097–1164.
- Daijō-daijin, Fujiwara Tadamichi.
- 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, Fujiwara Yorinaga, 1120–1156.
- 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 Sutoku's reign
The years of Sutoku's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.- HōanHoanwas a after Gen'ei and before Tenji. This period spanned the years from April 1120 through April 1124. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* February 1, 1120 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
(1120–1124) - TenjiTenji (era)was a after Hōan and before Daiji. This period spanned the years from April 1124 through January 1126. The reigning emperor was .-Change of Era:* January 19, 1124 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
(1124–1126) - DaijiDaiji (era)was a after Tenji and before Tenshō. This period spanned the years from January 1126 through January 1131. The reigning emperor was .-Change of Era:* January 25, 1126 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
(1126–1131) - TenshōTensho (Heian period)was a after Daiji and before Chōshō. This period spanned the years from 1131 through 1132. The reigning emperor was .- Change of Era :* January 31, 1131 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
(1131–1132) - ChōshōChoshowas a after Tenshō and before Hōen. This period spanned the years from August 1132 through November 1135. The reigning emperor was .-Change of Era:* January 20, 1132 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
(1132–1135) - HōenHoenwas a after Chōshō and before Eiji. This period spanned the years from September 1135 through July 1141. The reigning emperor was .-Change of Era:* February 15, 1035 : The new era name Hōen was created to mark an event or a series of events...
(1135–1141) - EijiEijiwas a after Hōen and before Kōji. This period spanned the years from July 1141 through April 1142. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of Era:* February 9, 1141 : The old era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
(1141–1142)
Legends
After Sotoku's abdication and exile, he devoted himself to monastic life. He copied numerous scriptures and offered them to the court. Fearing that the scriptures were cursed, the court refused to accept them. Snubbed, Sotoku was said to have resented the court and, upon his death, became an onryō. Everything from the subsequent fall in fortune of the Imperial court, the rise of the samurai powers, draughts and internal unrests were blamed on his haunting.Alternatively, he was said to have transformed into an Ootengu (greater tengu
Tengu
are a class of supernatural creatures found in Japanese folklore, art, theater, and literature. They are one of the best known yōkai and are sometimes worshipped as Shinto kami...
), whom, along with nurarihyon
Nurarihyon
', or ', is a Japanese yōkai said to originate from Wakayama Prefecture. It is also sometimes believed to be descended from the Umibōzu of Okayama Prefecture.The Nurarihyon is usually depicted as an old man with a gourd-shaped head and wearing a kesa...
, the nine-tailed kitsune
Kitsune
is the Japanese word for fox. Foxes are a common subject of Japanese folklore; in English, kitsune refers to them in this context. Stories depict them as intelligent beings and as possessing magical abilities that increase with their age and wisdom. Foremost among these is the ability to assume...
Tamamo-no-Mae and the oni Shuten Dōji, are often called the four greatest yōkai
Yōkai
are a class of supernatural monsters in Japanese folklore. The word yōkai is made up of the kanji for "otherworldly" and "weird". Yōkai range eclectically from the malevolent to the mischievous, or occasionally bring good fortune to those who encounter them...
of Japan.