Emperor Reizei
Encyclopedia
was the 63rd emperor
of Japan
, according to the traditional order of succession.
Reizei's reign spanned the years from 967 through 969.
, his personal name (his imina) was Norihira-shinnō (憲平親王).
Norihira-shinnō was the second son of Emperor Murakami
. His mother, Empress Yasuko, was a daughter of minister of the right Fujiwara no Morosuke
. Soon after his birth he was appointed as crown prince. This decision was supposedly made under the influence of Morosuke and his brother Fujiwara no Saneyori
who had seized power in the court.
From ancient times, there have been four noble clans, the Gempeitōkitsu (源平藤橘). One of these clans, the Minamoto clan
(源氏) are also known as Genji
, and of these, the Reizei Genji (冷泉源氏) are descended from 63rd emperor Reizei.
In 967 his father Murakami died and Reizei ascended to the throne at the age of eighteen.
The actual site of Reizei'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 Reizei's mausoleum
. It is formally named Sakuramoto 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 Go-Toba's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:
: Imperial Princess Masako
(昌子内親王) (950-999), daughter of Emperor Suzaku
Nyōgo
: Fujiwara no Fushi/Yoshiko (藤原怤子) (?-?), daughter of Fujiwara no Morosuke (藤原師輔);later, Naishi-no-Kami (尚侍) 982-989
Nyōgo
: Fujiwara no Kaishi/Chikako (藤原懐子) (945-975), daughter of Fujiwara no Koretada (藤原伊尹)
Nyōgo
: Fujiwara no Chōshi/Tōko (藤原超子) (?-982), daughter of Fujiwara no Kaneie (藤原兼家)
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.
Reizei's reign spanned the years from 967 through 969.
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 (his imina) was Norihira-shinnō (憲平親王).
Norihira-shinnō was the second son of Emperor Murakami
Emperor Murakami
was the 62nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Murakami's reign spanned the years from 946 to his death in 967.-Traditional narrative:...
. His mother, Empress Yasuko, was a daughter of minister of the right Fujiwara no Morosuke
Fujiwara no Morosuke
, also known as Kujō-dono or Hōjō udaijin, was a Japanese statesman, courtier and politician during the Heian period.-Career:He was a minister during the reign of Emperor Murakami....
. Soon after his birth he was appointed as crown prince. This decision was supposedly made under the influence of Morosuke and his brother Fujiwara no Saneyori
Fujiwara no Saneyori
, also known as Onomiya-dono, was a Japanese statesman, courtier and politician during the Heian period.-Career:He was a minister during the reigns of Emperor Reizei and Emperor En'yu....
who had seized power in the court.
From ancient times, there have been four noble clans, the Gempeitōkitsu (源平藤橘). One of these clans, the Minamoto clan
Minamoto 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...
(源氏) are also known as Genji
Genji
was a after Bunkyū and before Keiō. This period spanned only slightly more than a single year from February 1864 through April 1865. The reigning emperor was .-Change of era:...
, and of these, the Reizei Genji (冷泉源氏) are descended from 63rd emperor Reizei.
Events of Reizei's reign
Questions about mental illness made Norihira-shinnōs succession somewhat problematic.In 967 his father Murakami died and Reizei ascended to the throne at the age of eighteen.
- July 5, 967 (KōhōKohoKoho may mean:*Koho language, a member of the Bahnaric family*Kōhō, a Japanese era*Koho , a ice hockey equipment company*KOHO-FM, a radio station*KOHO-AM, a Japanese language radio station in Honolulu, Hawaii active from 1959-2000...
4, 25th day of the 5th month): In the 16th year of Emperor Murakami's reign (村上天皇16年), he died; and the succession (‘‘senso’’) was received by his second son. Shortly thereafter, Emperor Reizei is said to have acceded to the throne (‘‘sokui’’).
- 969 (AnnaAnna (era)was a after Kōhō and before Tenroku. This period spanned the years from August 968 through March 970. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* February 2, 968 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
2): Reizei abdicated; and he took the honorific title of Reizei-in Jōkō. His reign lasted for just two years; and he lived another 44 years in retirement.
- November 21, 1011 (KankōKankowas 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...
8, 24th day of the 10th month): Daijō-tennō Reizei-in Jōkō died at age 62.
The actual site of Reizei'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 Reizei'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 Sakuramoto no misasagi
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 Go-Toba's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:
- Kampaku, Ōno-no-miya Fujiwara no SaneyoriFujiwara no Saneyori, also known as Onomiya-dono, was a Japanese statesman, courtier and politician during the Heian period.-Career:He was a minister during the reigns of Emperor Reizei and Emperor En'yu....
(藤原実頼), 900-970. - Daijō-daijin, Fujiwara Saneyori.
- 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...
, Minamoto no Takaakira (源高明) (relegated in 969 by Anna Incident) - 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 Morotada (藤原師尹) - 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...
, Fujiwara Morotada (藤原師尹), 920-969. - 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....
, Fujiwara no Arihira (藤原在衡) - 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....
, Minamoto no Kaneakira (源兼明) - 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....
, Fujiwara no Koretada (藤原伊尹)
Eras of Reizei's reign
The years of Reizei's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.- KōhōKohoKoho may mean:*Koho language, a member of the Bahnaric family*Kōhō, a Japanese era*Koho , a ice hockey equipment company*KOHO-FM, a radio station*KOHO-AM, a Japanese language radio station in Honolulu, Hawaii active from 1959-2000...
(964-968) - AnnaAnna (era)was a after Kōhō and before Tenroku. This period spanned the years from August 968 through March 970. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* February 2, 968 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
(968-970)
Consorts and Children
EmpressJapanese empresses
In Japan, empress may refer to either or .- Empresses regnant :There were eight female imperial reigns in Japan's early history between 593 and 770, and two more in the early modern period...
: Imperial Princess Masako
Princess Masako (Reizei)
Princess Masako was an Empress consort of Japan. She was the consort of Emperor Reizei of Japan.- Sources :...
(昌子内親王) (950-999), daughter of Emperor Suzaku
Emperor Suzaku
was the 61st emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Suzaku's reign spanned the years from 930 through 946.-Traditional narrative:...
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 Fushi/Yoshiko (藤原怤子) (?-?), daughter of Fujiwara no Morosuke (藤原師輔);later, Naishi-no-Kami (尚侍) 982-989
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 Kaishi/Chikako (藤原懐子) (945-975), daughter of Fujiwara no Koretada (藤原伊尹)
- Imperial Princess Sōshi (宗子内親王) (964-986)
- Imperial Princess Sonshi (尊子内親王) (966-985), 15th Saiin in Kamo ShrineKamo Shrineis a general term for an important Shinto sanctuary complex on both banks of the Kamo River in northeast Kyoto. It is centered on two shrines. The two shrines, an upper and a lower, lie in a corner of the old capital which was known as the due to traditional geomancy beliefs that the north-east...
968-975; later, married to Emperor En'yūEmperor En'yuwas the 64th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.En'yū's reign spanned the years from 969 through 984.-Traditional narrative:Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name was Morihira-shinnō....
in 980 - Imperial Prince Morosada (師貞親王) (968-1008) (Emperor KazanEmperor Kazanwas the 65th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Kazan's reign spanned the years from 984 through 986.-Traditional narrative:...
)
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/Tōko (藤原超子) (?-982), daughter of Fujiwara no Kaneie (藤原兼家)
- Imperial Princess Mitsuko (光子内親王) (973-975)
- Imperial Prince Okisada (居貞親王) (976-1017) (Emperor SanjōEmperor Sanjowas the 67th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Sanjō's reign spanned the years from 1011 through 1016.-Traditional narrative:...
) - Imperial Prince Tametaka (為尊親王) (977-1002)
- Imperial Prince Atsumichi (敦道親王) (981-1007)
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...
- Emperor Go-ReizeiEmperor Go-Reizeiwas the 70th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Go-Reizei's reign spanned the years 1045–1068.This 11th century sovereign was named after the 10th century Emperor Reizei and go- , translates literally as "later;" and thus, he is sometimes called the "Later Emperor...