Emperor Go-Reizei
| Go-Reizei | |
|---|---|
| Emperor of Japan | |
| Reign | 1045–1068 |
| Coronation | 1045 |
| Predecessor | Go-Suzaku |
| Successor | Go-Sanjō |
| Born |
August 28, 1023 Heian Kyō (Kyōto) |
| Died |
May 22, 1068 (aged 44) Kaya no In (高陽院), Heian Kyō (Kyōto) |
| Burial | Enkyo-ji no misasagi (円教寺陵) (Kyoto) |
| Father | Go-Suzaku |
| Mother | Fujiwara no Kishi |
Emperor Go-Reizei (後冷泉天皇 Go-Reizei-tennō, August 28, 1023 – May 22, 1068) was the 70th emperor of Japan,[1] according to the traditional order of succession.[2]
Go-Reizei's reign spanned the years 1045–1068.[3]
This 11th century sovereign was named after the 10th century Emperor Reizei and go- (後), translates literally as "later;" and thus, he is sometimes called the "Later Emperor Reizei". The Japanese word "go" has also been translated to mean the "second one;" and in some older sources, this emperor may be identified as "Reizei, the second," or as "Reizei II."
Traditional narrative
Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name (imina)[4] was Chikahito-shinnō (親仁親王).[5]
He was the eldest son of Emperor Go-Suzaku. His mother was Fujiwara no Kishi (藤原嬉子), formerly Naishi-no kami, daughter of Fujiwara no Michinaga.
Go-Reizei had three Empresses and no Imperial sons or daughters.[6]
Events of Go-Reizei's life
- February 5, 1045 (Kantoku 2, 16th day of the 1st month) : Emperor Go-Suzaku abdicated; and his eldest son receive the succession (‘‘senso’’) on the same day. Shortly thereafter, Emperor Go-Reizei formally accedes to the throne (‘‘sokui’’).[7] The following year, the era name is changed to mark the beginning of Go-Reizei's reign.[6]
- February 7, 1045 (Kantoku 2, 18th day in the 1st month): Go-Suzaku died at the age of 37.[8]
- 1051 (Eishō 6): In Michinoku, Abe no Sadatō and Munetō instigate a rebellion which becomes known as the Nine Years War (1051–1062) because, even though the period of strife lasts for 11 years, the actual fighting lasts for nine years. In response, Minamoto no Yoriyoshi is appointed governor of Mutsu and he is named chinjufu shōgun. He is given these titles and powers so that he will be able to restore peace in the north. Yoriyoshi would have been the first to receive this specific shogunal title, although his grandfather (Minamoto no Tsunemoto) had been seitō fuku-shōgun (assistant commander for pacification of the east).[9]
- May 22, 1068 (Jiryaku 4, 19th day of the 4th month): The former-Emperor Go-Reizei died at the age of 44.[10] Go-Reizei had no direct heirs.
The actual site of Go-Reizei's grave is known.[1] This emperor is traditionally venerated at a memorial Shinto shrine (misasagi) at Kyoto.
The Imperial Household Agency designates this location as Go-Reizei's mausoleum. It is formally named Enkyo-ji no misasagi.[11]
Go-Reizei is buried amongst the "Seven Imperial Tombs" at Ryoan-ji Temple in Kyoto.[12]
The mound which commemorates the Hosokawa Emperor Go-Reizei is today named Shu-zan. The emperor's burial place would have been quite humble in the period after Go-Reizei died.[13]
These tombs reached their present state as a result of the 19th century restoration of imperial sepulchers (misasagi) which were ordered by Emperor Meiji.[13]
Kugyō
Kugyō (公卿) is a collective term for the very few most powerful men attached to the court of 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 Go-Reizei's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:
- Kampaku, Fujiwara Yorimichi, 992–1074.[14]
- Kampaku, Fujiwara Norimichi, 997–1075.[14]
- Daijō-daijin, Fujiwara Yorimichi.[14]
- Sadaijin, Fujiwara Norimichi.[14]
- Sadaijin
- Udaijin, Fujiwara Sanesuke, 957–1046.[14]
- Udaijin, Fujiwara Yorimune, 993–1065.[14]
- Udaijin, Fujiwara Morozane, 1042–1101.[10]
- Nadaijin, Minamoto Morofusa, 1009–1077.[10]
- Dainagon
Eras of Go-Reizei's reign
The years of Go-Reizei's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.[15]
Empresses and consorts
Empress (chūgū): Imperial Princess Akiko/Shōshi (章子内親王) (1026–1105), first daughter of Emperor Go-Ichijō, thus his first cousin
Empress (kōgō): Fujiwara no Hiroko/Kanshi (藤原寛子) (1036–1127), eldest daughter of Fujiwara no Yorimichi (藤原頼通)
Empress (kōgō): Fujiwara no Kanshi (藤原歓子) (1021–1102), second daughter of Fujiwara no Norimichi (藤原教通)
Notes
- 1 2 Imperial Household Agency (Kunaichō): 後冷泉天皇 (70)
- ↑ Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1959). The Imperial House of Japan, p. 76.
- ↑ Titsingh, Isaac. (1834). Annales des empereurs du japon, pp. 162–166; Brown, Delmer et al. (1979). Gukanshō, pp. 311–314; ; Varley, H. Paul. (1980). Jinnō Shōtōki. p. 197-198.
- ↑ Brown, pp. 264; prior to Emperor Jomei, the personal names of the emperors were very long and people did not generally use them. The number of characters in each name diminished after Jomei's reign.
- ↑ Titsingh, p. 162; Brown, p. 311, Varley, p. 197.
- 1 2 Brown, p. 311.
- ↑ Brown, p. 311; Varley, H. Paul. (1980). Jinnō Shōtōki, p. 44; a distinct act of senso is unrecognized prior to Emperor Tenji; and all sovereigns except Jitō, Yōzei, Go-Toba, and Fushimi have senso and sokui in the same year until the reign of Emperor Go-Murakami.
- ↑ Titsingh, p. 160; Brown, p. 311.
- ↑ Varley, pp. 197–198.
- 1 2 3 Brown, p. 313; Varley, p. 198.
- ↑ Ponsonby-Fane, p. 421.
- ↑ The "Seven Imperial Tombs" at Ryoan-ji are the burial places of Uda, Kazan, Ichijō, Go-Suzaku, Go-Reizei, Go-Sanjō, and Horikawa.
- 1 2 Moscher, Gouveneur. (1978). Kyoto: A Contemplative Guide, pp. 277–278.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Brown, p. 312.
- ↑ Titsingh, pp. 161–166; Brown, p. 313.
References
- Brown, Delmer M. and Ichirō Ishida, eds. (1979). Gukanshō: The Future and the Past. Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-03460-0; OCLC 251325323
- Moscher, Gouverneur. (1978). Kyoto: A Contemplative Guide. ISBN 9780804812948; OCLC 4589403
- Ponsonby-Fane, Richard Arthur Brabazon. (1959). The Imperial House of Japan. Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society. OCLC 194887
- Titsingh, Isaac. (1834). Nihon Odai Ichiran; ou, Annales des empereurs du Japon. Paris: Royal Asiatic Society, Oriental Translation Fund of Great Britain and Ireland. OCLC 5850691
- Varley, H. Paul. (1980). Jinnō Shōtōki: A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns. New York: Columbia University Press. ISBN 978-0-231-04940-5; OCLC 59145842
See also
| Regnal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Emperor Go-Suzaku |
Emperor of Japan: Go-Reizei 1045–1068 |
Succeeded by Emperor Go-Sanjō |
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