was the 56th emperor

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.

Seiwa's reign spanned the years from 858 through 876.

Traditional narrative

Seiwa was the fourth son of Emperor Montoku

Emperor Montoku

was the 55th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.The years of Montoku's spanned the years from 850 through 858.-Traditional narrative:...

. His mother was Empress Dowager Fujiwara no Akirakeiko (明子), also called the Somedono empress 染殿后). Seiwa's mother was the daughter of Fujiwara no Yoshifusa

Fujiwara no Yoshifusa

, also known as Somedono no Daijin or Shirakawa-dono, was a Japanese statesman, courtier and politician during the Heian period.When Yoshifusa's grandson was enthroned as Emperor Seiwa, Yoshifusa was assumed the role of regent for the young monarch...

 (藤原良房), who was regent and great minister of the council of state.
He was the younger half-brother of Imperial Prince Koretaka (惟喬親王) (lived 844-897)

Imina

Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne

Chrysanthemum 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 , the first member of the Imperial house

Imperial House of Japan

The , also referred to as the Imperial Family or the Yamato Dynasty, comprises those members of the extended family of the reigning Emperor of Japan who undertake official and public duties. Under the present Constitution of Japan, the emperor is the symbol of the state and unity of the people...

 to be personally named "-hito" 仁. One meaning of the character 仁 is the Confucian

Confucianism

Confucianism is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius . Confucianism originated as an "ethical-sociopolitical teaching" during the Spring and Autumn Period, but later developed metaphysical and cosmological elements in the Han...

 concept of ren

Ren (Confucianism)

Ren is a Confucian notion denoting, as rough approximation, the good feeling a virtuous human experiences when behaving rightly, especially toward others...

. Later it has been a tradition to name all male members of the Imperial family personally this way.

He was also known as emperor as Mizunoo-no-mikado or Minoo-tei.

Events of Seiwa's life

Originally under the guardianship of his maternal grandfather Fujiwara no Yoshifusa

Fujiwara no Yoshifusa

, also known as Somedono no Daijin or Shirakawa-dono, was a Japanese statesman, courtier and politician during the Heian period.When Yoshifusa's grandson was enthroned as Emperor Seiwa, Yoshifusa was assumed the role of regent for the young monarch...

, he displaced Imperial Prince Koretaka (惟喬親王) as Crown Prince

Crown Prince

A 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....

. Upon the death of his father in 858, Emperor Montoku, he became Emperor at the age of 8, but the real power was held by his grandfather, Yoshifusa.

• July 10, 858 (Ten'an
  Ten'an
  was a after Saikō and before Jōgan. This period spanned the years from February 857 through April 859. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of Era:* January 30, 857 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
  
   2, 27th day of the 8th month): In the 8th year of Montoku-tennō 's reign (文徳天皇8年), the emperor abdicated; and the succession (senso) was received by a his son. Shortly thereafter, Emperor Seiwa is said to have acceded to the throne (sokui).
• December 15, 858 (Ten'an 2, 7th day of the 11th month): The emperor's official announcement of his enthronement at age 9 was accompanied by the appointment or his grandfather as regent (sesshō). This is the first time that this high honor has been accorded to a member of 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 it is also the first example in Japan of the accession of an heir who is too young to be emperor. The proclamation of the beginning of Seiwa's reign was made at the Kotaijingu at Ise Province
  Ise Province
  or was a province of Japan including most of modern Mie Prefecture. Ise bordered Iga, Kii, Mino, Ōmi, Owari, Shima, and Yamato Provinces.The ancient provincial capital was at Suzuka...
  
   and at all the tombs of the imperial family.

• 859 (Jōgan
  Jogan
  was a after Ten'an and before Gangyō. This period spanned the years from April 859 through April 877. The two reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* February 7, 859 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
  
   1, 1st month): All New Year's festivities were suspended because of the period of national mourning for the death of Emperor Montoku.
• 859 (Jōgan 1): Construction begins on the Iwashimizu Shrine
  Iwashimizu Shrine
  The is a Shinto shrine in the city of Yawata in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. -History:The shrine's Heian period connections with the Kyoto and the Imperial family date from its founding in 859 when construction on its earliest structures commenced...
  
   near Heian-kyō. This shrine honors Hachiman, the Shinto war god.
• 869 (Jōgan 10): Yōzei was born, and he is named Seiwa's heir in the following year.
• 876 (Jōgan 17, 11th month): In the 18th year of Seiwa-tennō 's reign (清和天皇18年), the emperor ceded his throne to his five-year-old son, which means that the young child received the succession (senso). Shortly thereafter, Emperor Yōzei formally acceded to the throne (sokui).

• 878 (Gangyō
  Gangyo
  was a after Jōgan and before Ninna. This period spanned the years from April 877 through February 885. The reigning emperor was .-Change of era:* January 18, 877 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
  
   2): Seiwa becomes a Buddhist priest. His new priestly name was Soshin.
• December 31, 878 (Gangyō 2, 4th day of the 12th month ): Former-Emperor Seiwa died at age 31.

The actual site of Seiwa'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 Seiwa'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 Minooyama no misasagi. From the site of his tomb, he was sometimes referred to as Mizunoo (水尾). The kami

Kami

is the Japanese word for the spirits, natural forces, or essence in the Shinto faith. Although the word is sometimes translated as "god" or "deity", some Shinto scholars argue that such a translation can cause a misunderstanding of the term...

of Emperor Seiwa is venerated at Seiwa-tennō-sha in Saga

Saga

Sagas, are stories in Old Norse about ancient Scandinavian and Germanic history, etc.Saga may also refer to:Business*Saga DAB radio, a British radio station*Saga Airlines, a Turkish airline*Saga Falabella, a department store chain in Peru...

, Yamashiro province

Yamashiro Province

was a province of Japan, located in Kinai. It overlaps the southern part of modern Kyoto Prefecture on Honshū. Aliases include , the rare , and . It is classified as an upper province in the Engishiki....

.

Kugyō

is a collective term for the very few most powerful men attached to the court of the Emperor of Japan

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...

 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 Seiwa's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:

• Sesshō, Fujiwara no Yoshifusa
  Fujiwara no Yoshifusa
  , also known as Somedono no Daijin or Shirakawa-dono, was a Japanese statesman, courtier and politician during the Heian period.When Yoshifusa's grandson was enthroned as Emperor Seiwa, Yoshifusa was assumed the role of regent for the young monarch...
  
  ,　804-872.
• Daijō-daijin, Fujiwara no Yoshifusa.
• Sadaijin
  Sadaijin
  , 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 Makoto　(源信).
• Sadaijin, Minamoto no Tooru　(源融).
• Udaijin
  Udaijin
  Udaijin , 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 no Yoshimi　(藤原良相),　817-867.
• Udaijin, Fujiwara no Ujimune　(藤原氏宗).
• Udaijin, Fujiwara no Mototsune
  Fujiwara no Mototsune
  , also known as Horikawa Daijin, was a statesman, courtier and politician during the Nara period.Mototsune continued the trend begun by Yoshifusa of monopolizing the position of regent to the Japanese emperor. He was third son of Fujiwara no Nagayoshi, brother of Yoshifusa, and Fujiwara no Otoharu...
  
  ,　836-891.
• Naidaijin
• Dainagon
  Dainagon
  was 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 Mototsune.

Eras of Seiwa's reign

The years of Seiwa's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.

• Ten'an
  Ten'an
  was a after Saikō and before Jōgan. This period spanned the years from February 857 through April 859. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of Era:* January 30, 857 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
  
  (857-859)
• Jōgan
  Jogan
  was a after Ten'an and before Gangyō. This period spanned the years from April 859 through April 877. The two reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* February 7, 859 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
  
  (859-877)

Consorts and Children

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...

(Kōtaigō): Fujiwara no Takaiko (藤原高子) (842-910), daughter of Fujiwara no Nagara (藤原長良)

• Imperial Prince Sadaakira (貞明親王) (868-949) (Emperor Yōzei
  Emperor Yozei
  was the 57th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Yōzei's reign spanned the years from 876 through 884.-Traditional narrative:...
  
  )
• Imperial Prince Sadayasu (貞保親王) (870-924)
• Imperial Princess Atsuko (敦子内親王) (?-930), 7th Saiin in Kamo Shrine
  Kamo Shrine
  is 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...
  
   877-880

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 Tamiko (藤原多美子) (?-886), daughter of Fujiwara no Yoshimi (藤原良相)

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...

: Taira no Kanshi (平寛子)

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...

: Princess Kashi (嘉子女王), daughter of Prince Munesada (棟貞王)

• Imperial Prince Sadasumi (貞純親王) (873-916) - father of Minamoto no Tsunemoto
  Minamoto no Tsunemoto
  was a samurai and Imperial Prince during Japan's Heian period, the progenitor of the Seiwa Genji branch of the Minamoto clan. He was the son of Sadazumi-shinnō and grandson of Emperor Seiwa....
  
   (源経基), founder of the Seiwa Genji
  Seiwa Genji
  The ' were the most successful and powerful of the many branch families of the Japanese Minamoto clan. Many of the most famous Minamoto warriors, including Minamoto Yoshiie, also known as "Hachimantaro", or God of War, and Minamoto no Yoritomo, the founder of the Kamakura shogunate, were descended...
  
  , from whom the Kamakura shogunate
  Kamakura shogunate
  The Kamakura shogunate was a military dictatorship in Japan headed by the shoguns from 1185 to 1333. It was based in Kamakura. The Kamakura period draws its name from the capital of the shogunate...
  
   and the Ashikaga shogunate
  Ashikaga shogunate
  The , also known as the , was a Japanese feudal military regime, ruled by the shoguns of the Ashikaga clan.This period is also known as the Muromachi period and gets its name from Muromachi Street of Kyoto where the third shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu established his residence...
  
   were both descended, as well as from whom the Tokugawa shogunate
  Tokugawa shogunate
  The Tokugawa shogunate, also known as the and the , was a feudal regime of Japan established by Tokugawa Ieyasu and ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family. This period is known as the Edo period and gets its name from the capital city, Edo, which is now called Tokyo, after the name was...
  
   claimed descent

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...

: Minamoto no Seishi (源済子), daughter of Emperor Montoku

Emperor Montoku

was the 55th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.The years of Montoku's spanned the years from 850 through 858.-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...

: Minamoto no Sadako (源貞子) (?-873)

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...

: Minamoto no Kenshi/Atsuko (源喧子)

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...

: Princess Chūshi/Tadako (忠子女王), daughter of Imperial Prince Tokiyasu(Emperor Kōkō

Emperor Koko

was the 58th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Kōkō reigned from 884 to 887.- Traditional narrative :Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name was or Komatsu-tei. He would later be identified sometimes as "the Emperor of...

 later)

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 Yoriko (藤原頼子) (?-936), daughter of Fujiwara no Mototsune

Fujiwara no Mototsune

, also known as Horikawa Daijin, was a statesman, courtier and politician during the Nara period.Mototsune continued the trend begun by Yoshifusa of monopolizing the position of regent to the Japanese emperor. He was third son of Fujiwara no Nagayoshi, brother of Yoshifusa, and Fujiwara no Otoharu...

 (藤原基経)

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 Kazuko (藤原佳珠子), daughter of Fujiwara no Mototsune

Fujiwara no Mototsune

, also known as Horikawa Daijin, was a statesman, courtier and politician during the Nara period.Mototsune continued the trend begun by Yoshifusa of monopolizing the position of regent to the Japanese emperor. He was third son of Fujiwara no Nagayoshi, brother of Yoshifusa, and Fujiwara no Otoharu...

 (藤原基経)

• Imperial Prince Sadatoki (貞辰親王) (874-929)

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...

: Minamoto no Takeko/Izuko (源厳子) (?-878), daughter of Minamoto no Yoshiari (源能有)

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...

: Minamoto no Gishi/Yoshiko (源宜子), daughter of Minamoto no Okimoto (源興基)

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...

: Princess Kenshi (兼子女王)

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...

: Princess Ryūshi (隆子女王)

Koui

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...

: A daughter of Tachibana no Yasukage (橘休蔭の娘)

• Imperial Prince Sadakata (貞固親王) (?-930)

Koui

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...

: A daughter of Fujiwara no Nakamune (藤原仲統の娘)

• Imperial Prince Sadamoto (貞元親王) (?-909)

Koui

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...

: A daughter of Fujiwara no Yoshichika (藤原良近の娘)

• Imperial Prince Sadahira (貞平親王) (?-913)
• Imperial Princess Shikiko (識子内親王) (874-906), 21st Saiō
  Saio
  A , 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...
  
   (Imperial Princess serving at Ise Shrine) 877-880

Koui

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...

: Ariwara no Fumiko (在原文子), daughter of Ariwara no Yukihira (在原行平)

• Imperial Prince Sadakazu (貞数親王) (875-916)
• Imperial Princess Kaneko (包子内親王) (?-889)

Koui

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...

: A daughter of Fujiwara no Morofuji (藤原諸葛の娘)

• Imperial Prince Sadazane (貞真親王) (876-932)
• Imperial Princess Mōshi (孟子内親王) (?-901)

Koui

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...

: A daughter of Fujiwara no Naomune (藤原直宗の娘)

• Imperial Prince Sadayori (貞頼親王) (876-922)

Koui

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...

: A daughter of Saeki no Sanefusa (佐伯子房の娘)

• Minamoto no Nagami (源長鑒)
• Minamoto no Nagayori (源長頼)

Court lady : A daughter of Kamo no Mineo (賀茂岑雄の娘)

• Minamoto no Naganori (源長猷) (?-918)
• Minamoto no Saishi/Noriko (源載子)

Court lady : A daughter of Ōno no Takatori (大野鷹取の娘)

• Minamoto no Nagafuchi (源長淵)

See also

• Emperor of Japan
  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...
  
  
• List of Emperors of Japan
• Imperial cult
  Imperial cult
  An 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-Mizunoo
  Emperor Go-Mizunoo
  was the 108th Emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Go-Mizunoo's reign spanned the years from 1611 through 1629.This 17th century sovereign was named after the 9th century Emperor Seiwa and , translates literally as "later;" and thus, he could be called the "Later...