Shunkan
Encyclopedia
Shunkan (c. 1143 – 1179) was a Japanese monk who, after taking part in the Shishigatani plot
to overthrow Taira no Kiyomori
, was exiled along with two others to Kikai-ga-shima. His story is featured in the Heike monogatari, and in a number of traditional derivative works, including the Noh
play Shunkan
and jōruri
play Heike Nyogo-ga-shima. Twentieth century authors Kan Kikuchi
and Ryūnosuke Akutagawa
also produced works entitled Shunkan.
samurai clan, and the son of Hōin Kanga
, a priest of the Buddhist temple
Ninna-ji
. He served Emperor Go-Shirakawa
as a close aide and was associated with the Hōsshō-ji
.
In 1177, he met with a number of others in secret in his mountain villa in Shishigatani (some sources, such as the Gukanshō
, say the villa belonged to someone else), and plotted to overthrow Daijō Daijin Taira no Kiyomori who, along with other members of the Taira clan
, dominated and controlled the Imperial government. The plot was discovered before any actual action was taken, and Shunkan was exiled, along with Fujiwara no Narichika
, Narichika's son Fujiwara no Naritsune
, and Taira no Yasunori, to an island called Kikai-ga-shima, south of Kyūshū
's Satsuma province
. There is debate as to whether or not this was the same place as the island bearing the name Kikai
today.
Later that year, according to the Heike monogatari, when the Imperial consort Taira no Tokuko
was pregnant with the future Emperor Antoku
and was having difficulties, Kiyomori, her father, granted amnesty to Yasuyori and Naritsune, in order to appease their angry spirits, in the hopes of easing his daughter's pain. Shunkan was thus left alone on the island, the fourth exile Narichika having been executed by the Taira some time before.
He was found two years later, in 1179, by a monk from his temple by the name of Ariō
, who brought a letter from his (Ariō's) daughter. Having already sunk into deep despair during his time alone on the island, Shunkan read the letter and made the decision to commit suicide. He refused food, and died of starvation. Ariō then brought the monk's ashes and bones back to the capital.
Shishigatani Incident
The Shishigatani Incident of June 1177 was a failed uprising against the rule of Taira no Kiyomori in Japan. The conspiracy was discovered, and its perpetrators arrested and punished before any part of their plan was put into action.The incident is also known in Japanese as Shishigatani no Inbō ,...
to overthrow Taira no Kiyomori
Taira no Kiyomori
was a general of the late Heian period of Japan. He established the first samurai-dominated administrative government in the history of Japan.After the death of his father Taira no Tadamori in 1153, Kiyomori assumed control of the Taira clan and ambitiously entered the political realm in which he...
, was exiled along with two others to Kikai-ga-shima. His story is featured in the Heike monogatari, and in a number of traditional derivative works, including the Noh
Noh
, or - derived from the Sino-Japanese word for "skill" or "talent" - is a major form of classical Japanese musical drama that has been performed since the 14th century. Many characters are masked, with men playing male and female roles. Traditionally, a Noh "performance day" lasts all day and...
play Shunkan
Shunkan (play)
' is a Noh play which takes place in the aftermath of the Shishigatani Incident, and focuses upon one of a trio exiled to "Devil's Island" , off the coast of Satsuma province, as punishment for a plot against the ruling Taira clan...
and jōruri
Bunraku
, also known as Ningyō jōruri , is a form of traditional Japanese puppet theater, founded in Osaka in 1684.Three kinds of performers take part in a bunraku performance:* Ningyōtsukai or Ningyōzukai—puppeteers* Tayū—the chanters* Shamisen players...
play Heike Nyogo-ga-shima. Twentieth century authors Kan Kikuchi
Kan Kikuchi
, known by his pen name Kan Kikuchi , was a Japanese author born in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan. He established the publishing company Bungeishunjū, the monthly magazine of the same name, the Japan Writer's Association and both the Akutagawa and Naoki Prize for popular literature...
and Ryūnosuke Akutagawa
Ryunosuke Akutagawa
was a Japanese writer active in the Taishō period in Japan. He is regarded as the "Father of the Japanese short story". He committed suicide at age of 35 through an overdose of barbital.-Early life:...
also produced works entitled Shunkan.
Biography
Shunkan was a member of the Murakami Genji branch of the MinamotoMinamoto 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...
samurai clan, and the son of Hōin Kanga
Kanga
Kanga is the name of a recurring fictional character in A. A. Milne's series of books about Winnie-the-Pooh. A female kangaroo, Kanga is Roo's mother and a good friend to Winnie-the-Pooh and all the other residents of the Hundred Acre Wood. She lives with Roo in a house near the Sandy Pit in the...
, a priest of the Buddhist temple
Buddhist temples in Japan
Along with Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples are the most numerous, famous, and important religious buildings in Japan.The term "Shinto shrine" is used in opposition to "Buddhist temple" to mirror in English the distinction made in Japanese between Shinto and Buddhist religious structures. In...
Ninna-ji
Ninna-ji
is the head temple of the Omuro school of the Shingon Sect of Buddhism. Located in western Kyoto, Japan, it was founded in AD 888 by the retired Emperor Uda. It is part of the "Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto", a UNESCO World Heritage Site.-History:...
. He served Emperor Go-Shirakawa
Emperor Go-Shirakawa
Emperor Go-Shirakawa was the 77th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession...
as a close aide and was associated with the Hōsshō-ji
Hossho-ji
is 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...
.
In 1177, he met with a number of others in secret in his mountain villa in Shishigatani (some sources, such as the Gukanshō
Gukansho
is a historical and literary work about the history of Japan. Seven volumes in length, it was composed by Buddhist priest Jien of the Tendai sect c. 1220....
, say the villa belonged to someone else), and plotted to overthrow Daijō Daijin Taira no Kiyomori who, along with other members of the Taira clan
Taira clan
The was a major Japanese clan of samurai in historical Japan.In reference to Japanese history, along with Minamoto, Taira was a hereditary clan name bestowed by the emperors of the Heian Period to certain ex-members of the imperial family when they became subjects...
, dominated and controlled the Imperial government. The plot was discovered before any actual action was taken, and Shunkan was exiled, along with Fujiwara no Narichika
Fujiwara no Narichika
Fujiwara no Narichika was a Japanese court noble who took part in a plot against the Taira clan's dominance of the Imperial court.Narichika was the son of Fujiwara no Ienari...
, Narichika's son Fujiwara no Naritsune
Fujiwara no Naritsune
' was a Japanese courtier of the Heian period who, after plotting against the Taira clan, was exiled along with his father, Fujiwara no Narichika, and a number of other co-conspirators to Kikai-ga-shima...
, and Taira no Yasunori, to an island called Kikai-ga-shima, south of Kyūshū
Kyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
's Satsuma province
Satsuma Province
was an old province of Japan that is now the western half of Kagoshima Prefecture on the island of Kyūshū. Its abbreviation is Sasshū .During the Sengoku Period, Satsuma was a fief of the Shimazu daimyo, who ruled much of southern Kyūshū from their castle at Kagoshima city.In 1871, with the...
. There is debate as to whether or not this was the same place as the island bearing the name Kikai
Kikai, Kagoshima
is a town located in Ōshima District, Kagoshima, Japan.As of 2008, the town had an estimated population of 8,207 and the density of 144 persons per km². The total area is 56.94 km².Kikai Airport is located in the town....
today.
Later that year, according to the Heike monogatari, when the Imperial consort Taira no Tokuko
Taira no Tokuko
For the asteroid, see 5242 Kenreimonin, later known as , was the last Heike Imperial survivor from the modest vessel carrying the emperor in the great naval battle of Dan-no-ura....
was pregnant with the future Emperor Antoku
Emperor Antoku
Emperor Antoku was the 81st emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1180 through 1185. During this time, the imperial family was involved in a bitter struggle between warring clans...
and was having difficulties, Kiyomori, her father, granted amnesty to Yasuyori and Naritsune, in order to appease their angry spirits, in the hopes of easing his daughter's pain. Shunkan was thus left alone on the island, the fourth exile Narichika having been executed by the Taira some time before.
He was found two years later, in 1179, by a monk from his temple by the name of Ariō
Ario
Ario may refer to:*The group. Aryan*The group of Ito Yokado.*Ario, Michoacán, Mexico*Ario, a client for the Music Player Daemon and XMMS2.*Arius, a Christian priest in Alexandria, Egypt in the early fourth century....
, who brought a letter from his (Ariō's) daughter. Having already sunk into deep despair during his time alone on the island, Shunkan read the letter and made the decision to commit suicide. He refused food, and died of starvation. Ariō then brought the monk's ashes and bones back to the capital.