Emperor Konin
Encyclopedia
was the 49th emperor of Japan
, according to the traditional order of succession. Kōnin's reign lasted from 770 to 781.
., his formal style was Prince Shirakabe. Initially, he was not in line for succession, as Emperor Temmu
and his branch held the throne.
He married Imperial Princess Ikami, a daughter of Emperor Shōmu
, producing a daughter and a son. After his sister in law, Empress Shōtoku
(also Empress Kōken), died, he was named her heir. The high courtiers claimed the empress had left her will in a letter in which she had appointed him as her successor. Prior to this, he had been considered a gentle man without political ambition.
Kōnin had five wives and seven Imperial sons and daughters.
Emperor Kōnin is traditionally venerated at his tomb; the Imperial Household Agency
designates , in Nara, Nara
, as the location of Kōnin's mausoleum
.
(nengō).
.
(Hōki
1), he promoted his wife Imperial Princess Ikami to the empress and appointed her son Imperial Prince Osabe to the crown prince in the next year. As a grandson of Emperor Shomu
by his mother, Osabe was one of few descendants of Emperor Temmu
, the line of Temmu however didn't success to the throne finally. In 772
Osabe was deprived of his crown prince rank and Imperial Prince Yamabe, an issue by another woman, later Emperor Kammu
was named heir.
According to the , the replacement happened as follows: in the third month of Hōki 3 (772
), Ikami was accused of cursing her husband and emperor, Kōnin, and was stripped of the rank of the Empress. In the fifth month of this year his son Osabe was deprived his crown prince status. In Hōki 4 (773
), both were alleged to have murdered Imperial Princess Naniwa, a sister of Kōnin by cursing. This allegation made those two stripped of the rank of royals. Those two were together enclosed in a house in Yamato Province
and died two year later in the same day, on the 27th day of the fourth month of Hōki 6 (in Julian Calendar, on May 29, 775
).
In 772, soon after Osabe's deprivation of heir right, Impress Prince Yamabe, was named heir. His mother Takano no Niigasa
, nee Yamato no Niigasa, was a descendant of King Muryeong of Baekje. Since her clan had then no political power, his appointment had not been likely to happen without the deprivation of Osabe, the noblest male issue of Konin as the son of an Imperial Princess and Empress.
Today it is pointed out the accusations to Ikami and Osada were likely to be plotted for depriving her son of the throne, and they were likely to be assassinated, by Fujiwara no Momokawa
.
The late years of Konin reign and the early years of Kammu reign suffered disasters respectively. The contemporary people took those disasters as vengeance of noble victims of political conflicts, including late Ikami and Osada. In 800
during the reign of Kammu, the late Princess Ikami was restored into the rank of Empress. Several shrines and temples were also founded for redemption, including Kamigoryo Shrine (:ja:上御霊神社).
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 Kōnin's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:
Hi: Princess Owari (尾張女王), daughter of Imperial Prince Yuhara (湯原親王) (son of Prince Shiki)
Bunin: Takano no Niigasa (高野新笠) (?-790), daughter of Yamato no Ototsugu (和史乙継)
Bunin: Fujiwara no Sōshi (藤原曹子), daughter of Fujiwara no Nagate (藤原永手)
Bunin: Ki no Miyako (紀宮子), daughter of Ki no Ineko (紀稲子)
Bunin: Fujiwara no Nariko (藤原産子), daughter of Fujiwara no Momokawa (藤原百川)
Court lady: Agatanushi no Shimahime (県主嶋姫), daughter of Agatanushi no Emishi (県主毛人)
Court lady (Nyoju): Agatainukai no Isamimi(Omimi) (県犬養勇耳/男耳)
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...
, 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 (imina) was As a son of Imperial Prince Shiki and a grandson of Emperor TenjiEmperor Tenji
, also known as Emperor Tenchi, was the 38th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Tenji's reign spanned the years from 661 through 671.-Traditional narrative:...
., his formal style was Prince Shirakabe. Initially, he was not in line for succession, as Emperor Temmu
Emperor Temmu
was the 40th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Temmu's reign lasted from 672 until his death in 686.-Traditional narrative:...
and his branch held the throne.
He married Imperial Princess Ikami, a daughter of Emperor Shōmu
Emperor Shomu
was the 45th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Shōmu's reign spanned the years 724 through 723.-Traditional narrative:...
, producing a daughter and a son. After his sister in law, 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....
(also Empress Kōken), died, he was named her heir. The high courtiers claimed the empress had left her will in a letter in which she had appointed him as her successor. Prior to this, he had been considered a gentle man without political ambition.
Kōnin had five wives and seven Imperial sons and daughters.
Emperor Kōnin is traditionally venerated at his tomb; 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 , in Nara, Nara
Nara, Nara
is the capital city of Nara Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. The city occupies the northern part of Nara Prefecture, directly bordering Kyoto Prefecture...
, as the location of Kōnin'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...
.
Events of Kōnin's life
- September 8, 769 : In the 5th year of Empress Shōtoku's reign, she died; she is said to have written a letter designating Senior Counselor Prince Shirakabe as her heir and crown prince.
- August 28, 770 : Exactly one (Japanese era-based) year later, the succession (senso) was received by Kōnin, who was the 62-year-old grandson of Emperor TenjiEmperor Tenji, also known as Emperor Tenchi, was the 38th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Tenji's reign spanned the years from 661 through 671.-Traditional narrative:...
. - October 23, 770 : Emperor Kōnin was said to have acceded to the throne (sokui) in a formal ceremony, following the plans of the nobles and ministers to have him placed on the throne. The era name was also changed on this date, to HōkiHokiHoki can mean:* Hōki Province, was an old province of Japan, today part of the Tottori Prefecture.* Hōki, Tottori, a town in Japan.* Hōki, a Japanese era name from 770 through 781....
- 781 : The emperor abdicated in favor of his son Yamabe, who became Emperor KammuEmperor Kammuwas the 50th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Kammu reigned from 781 to 806.-Traditional narrative:Kammu's personal name was . He was the eldest son of Prince Shirakabe , and was born prior to Shirakabe's ascension to the throne...
. Emperor Kōnin's reign had lasted for 11 years. - 781 : Kōnin died at the age of 73.
Eras of Kōnin's reign
The years of Kammu's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era nameJapanese era name
The Japanese era calendar scheme is a common calendar scheme used in Japan, which identifies a year by the combination of the and the year number within the era...
(nengō).
- HōkiHokiHoki can mean:* Hōki Province, was an old province of Japan, today part of the Tottori Prefecture.* Hōki, Tottori, a town in Japan.* Hōki, a Japanese era name from 770 through 781....
(770-781) - Ten'ōTen'owas a after Hōki and before Enryaku. This period spanned the years from January 781 through August 782. The reigning emperor was .-Change of era:* October 24, 781 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
(781-782)
Legacy
Kōnin attempted to reconstruct the state finance and administrative organizations, which had been corrupted under the reign of Empress KōkenEmpress 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....
.
Political conflict around his successors
Soon after his enthronement in 770770
Year 770 was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 770 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Asia :* Emperor Kōnin ascends to the throne of Japan,...
(Hōki
Hoki
Hoki can mean:* Hōki Province, was an old province of Japan, today part of the Tottori Prefecture.* Hōki, Tottori, a town in Japan.* Hōki, a Japanese era name from 770 through 781....
1), he promoted his wife Imperial Princess Ikami to the empress and appointed her son Imperial Prince Osabe to the crown prince in the next year. As a grandson of Emperor Shomu
Emperor Shomu
was the 45th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Shōmu's reign spanned the years 724 through 723.-Traditional narrative:...
by his mother, Osabe was one of few descendants of Emperor Temmu
Emperor Temmu
was the 40th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Temmu's reign lasted from 672 until his death in 686.-Traditional narrative:...
, the line of Temmu however didn't success to the throne finally. In 772
772
Year 772 was a leap year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 772 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Europe :* Frankish king Charlemagne starts fighting...
Osabe was deprived of his crown prince rank and Imperial Prince Yamabe, an issue by another woman, later Emperor Kammu
Emperor Kammu
was the 50th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Kammu reigned from 781 to 806.-Traditional narrative:Kammu's personal name was . He was the eldest son of Prince Shirakabe , and was born prior to Shirakabe's ascension to the throne...
was named heir.
According to the , the replacement happened as follows: in the third month of Hōki 3 (772
772
Year 772 was a leap year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 772 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Europe :* Frankish king Charlemagne starts fighting...
), Ikami was accused of cursing her husband and emperor, Kōnin, and was stripped of the rank of the Empress. In the fifth month of this year his son Osabe was deprived his crown prince status. In Hōki 4 (773
773
Year 773 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 773 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.- Europe :* At request of the Pope Adrian I, Charlemagne...
), both were alleged to have murdered Imperial Princess Naniwa, a sister of Kōnin by cursing. This allegation made those two stripped of the rank of royals. Those two were together enclosed in a house in Yamato Province
Yamato Province
was a province of Japan, located in Kinai, corresponding to present-day Nara Prefecture in Honshū. It was also called . At first, the name was written with one different character , and for about ten years after 737, this was revised to use more desirable characters . The final revision was made in...
and died two year later in the same day, on the 27th day of the fourth month of Hōki 6 (in Julian Calendar, on May 29, 775
775
Year 775 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar. The denomination 775 for this year has been used since the early medieval period, when the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years.-Africa:* Andalusian merchants set up an emporium on the...
).
In 772, soon after Osabe's deprivation of heir right, Impress Prince Yamabe, was named heir. His mother Takano no Niigasa
Takano no Niigasa
Takano no Niigasa was a concubine of Emperor Kōnin and the mother of Emperor Kammu. Her full name was Takano no Asomi Niigasa.-Life:...
, nee Yamato no Niigasa, was a descendant of King Muryeong of Baekje. Since her clan had then no political power, his appointment had not been likely to happen without the deprivation of Osabe, the noblest male issue of Konin as the son of an Imperial Princess and Empress.
Today it is pointed out the accusations to Ikami and Osada were likely to be plotted for depriving her son of the throne, and they were likely to be assassinated, by Fujiwara no Momokawa
Fujiwara no Momokawa
was a Japanese statesman, courtier and politician during the Nara period. His original name was .-Career at court:He was a minister during the reigns of Empress Kōken/Shōtoku and Emperor Kōnin....
.
The late years of Konin reign and the early years of Kammu reign suffered disasters respectively. The contemporary people took those disasters as vengeance of noble victims of political conflicts, including late Ikami and Osada. In 800
800
Year 800 was a leap year starting on Wednesday of the Julian calendar. It was around this time that the Anno Domini calendar era became the prevalent method in Europe for naming years, so from this time on, the years began being known as 800 and onwards.- Europe :* December 25 - Pope Leo III...
during the reign of Kammu, the late Princess Ikami was restored into the rank of Empress. Several shrines and temples were also founded for redemption, including Kamigoryo Shrine (:ja:上御霊神社).
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 would have brought them to the pinnacle of a life's career. During Kōnin'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...
, Fujiwara no Nagate (藤原永手)(714-771), 766-771. - Sadaijin, Fujiwara no UonaFujiwara no UonaFujiwara no Uona was a member of the Fujiwara clan in Japan and occupied the position of sadaijin "Minister of the Left" in the ancient Japanese court. He was son of Fujiwara no Fusasaki ....
(藤原魚名)(721-783), 781-782. - 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...
, Ōnakatomi Kiyomaro (大中臣清麿)(702-788), 771-781. - Naidaijin, Fujiwara no Yoshitsugu (藤原良継)(716-777), 771-777.
- Naidaijin, Fujiwara no Uona (藤原魚名)(721-783), 778-781
- 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....
, Fun'ya no Ōchi (文室大市)(704-780), 771-777 - Dainagon, Fujiwara no Uona (藤原魚名)(721-783), 771-778
- Sangi, Fujiwara no Momokawa (藤原百川), 732-779.
Consorts and children
Empress(deposed in 772): Imperial Princess Inoe(Princess Ikami) (井上内親王) (717-775), daughter of Emperor ShōmuEmperor Shomu
was the 45th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Shōmu's reign spanned the years 724 through 723.-Traditional narrative:...
- Imperial Prince Osabe (他戸親王) (751-775), the Crown Prince(deposed in 772)
- Imperial Princess SakahitoPrincess Sakahitowas a Japanese princess, born as a daughter of Emperor Kōnin.Her mother was reported to be Princess Inoue—a daughter of Emperor Shōmu, but there is another theory that her mother was Takano no Niigasa....
(酒人内親王) (754-829), SaiōSaioA , also known as "Itsuki no Miko", was an unmarried female relative of the Japanese emperor, sent to Ise to serve at Ise Grand Shrine from the late 7th century until the 14th century. The Saiō's residence, Saikū , was approximately 10 km north-west of the shrine...
in 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 ....
772-775, and married to Emperor KammuEmperor Kammuwas the 50th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Kammu reigned from 781 to 806.-Traditional narrative:Kammu's personal name was . He was the eldest son of Prince Shirakabe , and was born prior to Shirakabe's ascension to the throne...
later
Hi: Princess Owari (尾張女王), daughter of Imperial Prince Yuhara (湯原親王) (son of Prince Shiki)
- Imperial Prince Hieda (稗田親王) (751-781)
Bunin: Takano no Niigasa (高野新笠) (?-790), daughter of Yamato no Ototsugu (和史乙継)
- Imperial Princess Noto (能登内親王) (733-781), married to Prince Ichihara (市原王)
- Imperial Prince Yamabe (山部親王) (Emperor KammuEmperor Kammuwas the 50th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Kammu reigned from 781 to 806.-Traditional narrative:Kammu's personal name was . He was the eldest son of Prince Shirakabe , and was born prior to Shirakabe's ascension to the throne...
) (737-806) - Imperial Prince SawaraPrince Sawarawas the 5th son of Prince Shirakabe , by Takano no Niigasa. In 781 he was named heir-presumptive after his elder brother succeeded the abdicated Emperor Kōnin as the Emperor Kanmu....
(早良親王) (750-785), the Crown Prince (deposed in 785)
Bunin: Fujiwara no Sōshi (藤原曹子), daughter of Fujiwara no Nagate (藤原永手)
Bunin: Ki no Miyako (紀宮子), daughter of Ki no Ineko (紀稲子)
Bunin: Fujiwara no Nariko (藤原産子), daughter of Fujiwara no Momokawa (藤原百川)
Court lady: Agatanushi no Shimahime (県主嶋姫), daughter of Agatanushi no Emishi (県主毛人)
- Imperial Princess Minuma (弥努摩内親王) (?-810), married to Prince Miwa (神王)
Court lady (Nyoju): Agatainukai no Isamimi(Omimi) (県犬養勇耳/男耳)
- Hirone no Morokatsu (広根諸勝), removed from the Imperial Family by receiving the family name from Emperor (Shisei Kōka賜姓降下) in 787
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...