Emperor Kazan
Encyclopedia
was the 65th emperor
of Japan
, according to the traditional order of succession.
Kazan's reign spanned the years from 984 through 986.
, his personal name (imina) was Morosada-shinnō (師貞親王).
Morasada was the eldest son of Emperor Reizei
. The prince's mother was Fujiwara no Kaneko/Kaishi (藤原懐子), who was a daughter of sesshō Fujiwara no Koretada
. Morasada was also was the brother of Emperor Sanjō
.
He commissioned the Shūi Wakashū.
He faced a tough political struggle from the Fujiwara family
; and at the age of nineteen, he was manipulated into abandoning the throne by Fujiwara no Kaneie
.
Nyūkaku went on various pilgrimages and 're-founded' the Kannon pilgrimage, as a monk to the name of Tokudo Shonin (Some scholars doubt that Kazan, in his unstable mental condition at the time was involved with the founding of the pilgrimage, thereby leaving all of the credit to Shonin) had supposedlly already created it. This pilgrimage involved travelling to 33 locations across the eight provinces of the Bando
area.
He was told to visit these 33 sites, in order to bring release from suffering, by Kannon Bosatsu in a vision.
It is said that the first site of the pilgrimage was the Sugimoto-dera in Kamakura. This site is also the first site on the Kamakura pilgrimage.
It is suggested by many scholars that the mental health of Kazan, particularly in later life, was not stable; and therefore, living as a monk may have caused deteriorating behavior.
Daijō-tennō Kazan died at the age of 41 on the 8th day of the 2nd month of the fifth year of Kankō
(1008).
The actual site of Kazan's grave
is known. This emperor is traditionally venerated at a memorial
Shinto
shrine
(misasagi) at Kyoto.
The Imperial Household Agency
designates this location as Kazan's mausoleum
. It is formally named Kamiya no hotori no misasagi.
He is buried amongst the "Seven Imperial Tombs" at Ryoan-ji Temple in Kyoto. The mound which commemorates the Hosokawa Emperor Kazan is today named Kinugasa-yama. The emperor's burial place would have been quite humble in the period after Kazan died. These tombs reached their present state as a result of the 19th century restoration of imperial sepulchers (misasagi) which were ordered by Emperor Meiji.
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 have brought them to the pinnacle of a life's career. During Kazan's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:
: Fujiwara no Shishi (藤原忯子) (969-985), daughter of Fujiwara no Tamemitsu (藤原為光)
Nyōgo
: Fujiwara no Teishi (藤原諟子) (?-1035), daughter of Fujiwara no Yoritada (藤原頼忠)
Nyōgo
: Fujiwara no Chōshi (藤原姚子) (971-989), daughter of Fujiwara no Asateru (藤原朝光)
Court lady: A daughter of Taira no Sukeyuki (平祐之の娘), Nakatsukasa (中務) - Nurse of Emperor Kazan
Taira no Heishi (平平子), daughter of Taira no suketada (平祐忠) and Nakatsukasa (中務)
Fujiwara no Genshi (藤原厳子) (?-1016), daughter of Fujiwara no Tamemitsu (藤原為光); later, concubine of Fujiwara no Michinaga (藤原道長)
(from unknown women)
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.
Kazan's reign spanned the years from 984 through 986.
Traditional narrative
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 Morosada-shinnō (師貞親王).
Morasada was the eldest son of Emperor Reizei
Emperor Reizei
was the 63rd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Reizei's reign spanned the years from 967 through 969.-Traditional narrative:...
. The prince's mother was Fujiwara no Kaneko/Kaishi (藤原懐子), who was a daughter of sesshō Fujiwara no Koretada
Fujiwara no Koretada
Fujiwara no Koretada , also known as Fujiwara no Koremasa or Kentokuko, Ichijō sesshō and Mikawa-kō, was a Japanese statesman, courtier, politician and waka-poet during the Heian period....
. Morasada was also was the brother of Emperor Sanjō
Emperor Sanjo
was the 67th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Sanjō's reign spanned the years from 1011 through 1016.-Traditional narrative:...
.
Events of Kazan's life
Prince Morasada was seventeen years of age at the time of the succession.- October 6, 984 (EikanEikanwas a after Tengen and before Kanna. This period spanned the years from April 983 through April 985. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* February 16, 983 ]: The new era name was created to mark an event or a number of events...
1, 27th day of the 8th month): In the 15th year of Emperor En'yu's reign (円融天皇15年), he abdicated; and the succession (senso) was received by a nephew. Shortly thereafter, Emperor Kazan is said to have acceded to the throne (sokui).
He commissioned the Shūi Wakashū.
- 985 (KannaKannaKanna may refer to:*Sceletium tortuosum, a Southern African succulent used by indigenous people of the area and currently world-wide for its psychoactive qualities....
1, 4th month): Fujiwara no Tokiakira and his brother, Yasusuke, contended with Fujiwara no Sukitaka and Ōe-no Masahira in a swordfight in Kyoto. Masahira lost the fingers of his left hand. The two brothers fled; and after careful searching, Tokiakira was eventually located in Ōmi ProvinceOmi Provinceis an old province of Japan, which today comprises Shiga Prefecture. It was one of the provinces that made up the Tōsandō circuit. It is nicknamed as .Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, is located at the center of the province...
.
He faced a tough political struggle from the Fujiwara family
Fujiwara family
The Fujiwara clan , descending from the Nakatomi clan, was a powerful family of regents in Japan.The clan originated when the founder, Nakatomi no Kamatari , was rewarded by Emperor Tenji with the honorific "Fujiwara", which evolved as a surname for Kamatari and his descendants...
; and at the age of nineteen, he was manipulated into abandoning the throne by Fujiwara no Kaneie
Fujiwara no Kaneie
was a Japanese statesman, courtier and politician during the Heian period.-Career:Kaneie served as a minister during the reigns of Emperor En'yū, Emperor Kazan and Emperor Go-Ichijō....
.
- 986 (Kanna 2, 6th month): Kazan abdicated, and took up residence at Kazan-ji where he became a Buddhist monk; and his new priestly name was Nyūkaku.
- August 23, 986 (Kanna 2, 16th day of the 7th month): Iyasada-shinnō was appointed as heir and crown princeCrown PrinceA 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....
at age 11. This followed the convention that two imperial lineages took the throne in turn, although Emperor Ichijō was in fact Iyasada's junior. He thus gained the nicknameNicknameA nickname is "a usually familiar or humorous but sometimes pointed or cruel name given to a person or place, as a supposedly appropriate replacement for or addition to the proper name.", or a name similar in origin and pronunciation from the original name....
Sakasa-no moke-no kimi (the imperial heir in reverse). When Emperor Kanzan abandoned the world for holy orders, one grandson of Kaneie ascended to the throne as Emperor Ichijō (the 66th sovereign); and in due course, another grandson would follow on the throne as Emperor Sanjō (the 67th sovereign).
Nyūkaku went on various pilgrimages and 're-founded' the Kannon pilgrimage, as a monk to the name of Tokudo Shonin (Some scholars doubt that Kazan, in his unstable mental condition at the time was involved with the founding of the pilgrimage, thereby leaving all of the credit to Shonin) had supposedlly already created it. This pilgrimage involved travelling to 33 locations across the eight provinces of the Bando
Bando
Bando is a defensive style of thaing focusing on animal-based techniques. The earliest meanings of the word were self-discipline, self-development and self-improvement. Later, it came to mean self-protection or self-defense...
area.
He was told to visit these 33 sites, in order to bring release from suffering, by Kannon Bosatsu in a vision.
It is said that the first site of the pilgrimage was the Sugimoto-dera in Kamakura. This site is also the first site on the Kamakura pilgrimage.
It is suggested by many scholars that the mental health of Kazan, particularly in later life, was not stable; and therefore, living as a monk may have caused deteriorating behavior.
Kanko
was a after Chōhō and before Chōwa. This period spanned the years from July 1004 through December 1012. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of Era:* 1004 : The era namewas changed to mark an event or series of events...
(1008).
The actual site of Kazan'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 known. 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 Kyoto.
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 Kazan'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 Kamiya no hotori no misasagi.
He is buried amongst the "Seven Imperial Tombs" at Ryoan-ji Temple in Kyoto. The mound which commemorates the Hosokawa Emperor Kazan is today named Kinugasa-yama. The emperor's burial place would have been quite humble in the period after Kazan died. These tombs reached their present state as a result of the 19th century restoration of imperial sepulchers (misasagi) which were ordered by Emperor Meiji.
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.
In general, this elite group included only three to four men at a time. These were hereditary courtiers whose experience and background have brought them to the pinnacle of a life's career. During Kazan's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:
- Kampaku, Fujiwara no YoritadaFujiwara no YoritadaFujiwara no Yoritada , the second son of Saneyori, was a kugyo who served as regent for Emperor En'yū and Emperor Kazan. His mother was a daughter of Fujiwara no Tokihira. His elder brother from the same mother Atsutoshi died before father's death...
, 924-989. - Daijō-daijin, Fujiwara no Yoritada.
- 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 no KaneieFujiwara no Kaneiewas a Japanese statesman, courtier and politician during the Heian period.-Career:Kaneie served as a minister during the reigns of Emperor En'yū, Emperor Kazan and Emperor Go-Ichijō....
, 929-990. - Naidaijin (not appointed)
- 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 Kazan's reign
The years of Kazan's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.- EikanEikanwas a after Tengen and before Kanna. This period spanned the years from April 983 through April 985. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* February 16, 983 ]: The new era name was created to mark an event or a number of events...
(983-985) - KannaKannaKanna may refer to:*Sceletium tortuosum, a Southern African succulent used by indigenous people of the area and currently world-wide for its psychoactive qualities....
(985-986)
Consorts and Children
NyōgoKokyu
The is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow. Although it was introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape, and sound are unique to Japan...
: Fujiwara no Shishi (藤原忯子) (969-985), daughter of Fujiwara no Tamemitsu (藤原為光)
Nyōgo
Kokyu
The is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow. Although it was introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape, and sound are unique to Japan...
: Fujiwara no Teishi (藤原諟子) (?-1035), daughter of Fujiwara no Yoritada (藤原頼忠)
Nyōgo
Kokyu
The is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow. Although it was introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape, and sound are unique to Japan...
: Fujiwara no Chōshi (藤原姚子) (971-989), daughter of Fujiwara no Asateru (藤原朝光)
Court lady: A daughter of Taira no Sukeyuki (平祐之の娘), Nakatsukasa (中務) - Nurse of Emperor Kazan
- Imperial Prince Kiyohito (清仁親王) (ca.998-1030) - Ancestor of Shirakawa family (白川家)
- princess (?-1008)
- princess (?-1008)
Taira no Heishi (平平子), daughter of Taira no suketada (平祐忠) and Nakatsukasa (中務)
- Imperial Prince Akinori (昭登親王) (998-1035)
- princess (?-1008)
- princess (?-1025), a lady-in-waiting to Fujiwara no ShoshiEmpress Shōshior Empress Shōshi , , also known as , the eldest daughter of Fujiwara no Michinaga, was Empress of Japan from c. 1000 to c. 1011...
(Empress consort of Emperor Ichijō)
Fujiwara no Genshi (藤原厳子) (?-1016), daughter of Fujiwara no Tamemitsu (藤原為光); later, concubine of Fujiwara no Michinaga (藤原道長)
(from unknown women)
- Kakugen (覚源) (1000–1065), a Buddhist monk (Gon-no-Sōjō, 権僧正)
- Shinkan (深観) (1001–1050), a Buddhist monk (Gon-no-Daisōzu, 権大僧都)
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...