Emperor Toba
Encyclopedia
was the 74th emperor
of Japan
, according to the traditional order of succession.
Toba's reign spanned the years from 1107 through 1123.
, his personal name (his imina) was Munehito-shinnō (宗仁親王).
He was the son of Emperor Horikawa
. His mother was Empress Dowager Fujiwara no Ishi (藤原苡子)
Toba had three Empresses, some consort ladys and 14 Imperial sons and daughters.
, took him under his care and raised him.
During the initial years of Toba's reign, the actual power was held by his grandfather, the "retired" Emperor Shirakawa
, in a process known as cloistered rule
.
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 Toba's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:
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.
Toba's reign spanned the years from 1107 through 1123.
Genealogy
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 Munehito-shinnō (宗仁親王).
He was the son of Emperor Horikawa
Emperor Horikawa
was the 73rd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Horikawa's reign spanned the years from 1087 through 1107.-Traditional narrative:...
. His mother was Empress Dowager Fujiwara no Ishi (藤原苡子)
Toba had three Empresses, some consort ladys and 14 Imperial sons and daughters.
- 1101-1145 Second Empress (chūgū): Fujiwara no Shōshi/TamakoFujiwara no TamakoFujiwara no Tamako was an Empress consort of Japan. She was the consort of Emperor Toba of Japan.-External links:* http://www.guide2womenleaders.com/japan_heads.htm...
(藤原璋子), Empress Dowager Taiken (待賢門院), eldest daughter of Fujiwara no Kinzane (藤原公実)- 1119-1164 Imperial Prince Akihito (顕仁親王), later Emperor SutokuEmperor Sutokuwas the 75th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Sutoku's reign spanned the years from 1123 through 1142.-Genealogy:Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name was Akihito ....
, - 1122-1133 Imperial Princess Kishi/Yoshiko (禧子内親王) - Western Palace
- 1124-1129 Imperial Prince Michihito (通仁親王)
- 1125-1143 Imperial Prince Kimihito (君仁親王)
- 1126-1189 Imperial Princess Muneko (統子内親王) - Empress Dowager Zyōsai (上西門院)
- 1127-1192 Imperial Prince Masahito (雅仁親王) - later Emperor Go-ShirakawaEmperor Go-ShirakawaEmperor Go-Shirakawa was the 77th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession...
- 1129-1169 Imperial Prince Motohito? (本仁親王), later became a priest under the name Kakushō (覚性法親王)
- 1119-1164 Imperial Prince Akihito (顕仁親王), later Emperor Sutoku
- 1095-1155 Empress (kōgō) Fujiwara no Taishi/YasukoFujiwara no YasukoFujiwara no Yasuko was an Empress consort of Japan. She was the consort of Emperor Toba of Japan.-External links:* http://www.guide2womenleaders.com/japan_heads.htm...
(藤原泰子), Kaya no In (高陽院), eldest daughter of Fujiwara no Tadazane (藤原忠実) - 1117-1160 Empress (kōgō) Fujiwara no NarikoFujiwara no NarikoFujiwara no Nariko was an Empress consort of Japan. She was the consort of Emperor Toba of Japan.- Sources :...
(藤原得子), Empress Dowager Bifuku (美福門院), daughter of Fujiwara no Nagazane (藤原長実); mother of Emperor KonoeEmperor Konoewas the 76th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Konoe's reign spanned the years from 1142 through 1155.-Genealogy:...
.- 1135-1148 Imperial Princess Eishi/Toshiko (叡子内親王)
- 1137-1211 Imperial Princess Akiko (暲子内親王)
- 1139-1155 Imperial Prince Narihito (体仁親王), later Emperor KonoeEmperor Konoewas the 76th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Konoe's reign spanned the years from 1142 through 1155.-Genealogy:...
- 1141-1176 Imperial Princess Shushi/Yoshiko (姝子内親王), empress (chūgū to Emperor NijōEmperor NijoEmperor Nijō was the 78th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spaned the years from 1158 through 1165.- Genealogy :...
)
- Court Lady Ki no Ieko (紀家子), Lady of Mino (美濃局), daughter of Ki no Mitsukiyo? (紀光清)
- 1132-1168 Prince Dōkei (道恵法親王) - Buddhist Priest
- 1134-1181 Prince Kakukai (覚快法親王) - Buddhist Priest
- 11??-1195 Aya Gozen (阿夜御前)
- Lady of Sanjō (三条局), daughter of Fujiwara no Iemasa (藤原家政)
- 11??-1161 Imperial Princess Kenshi? (妍子内親王) - Yoshida saigū (Imperial Princess serving at Ise Shrine)
- Lady of Kasuga (春日局), daughter of Tokudaiji Saneyosi (徳大寺実能)
- 1145-1208 Imperial Princess Shōshi/Nobuko (頌子内親王)
- Lady of Fujitsubo (藤壺女御), daughter of Tachibana no Toshitsuna (橘俊綱)
- Shin-yo? (真誉) - Buddhist Priestess
- Lady of Tosa (土佐局), daughter of Minamoto no Mitsuyasu (源光保)
- Daughter of Fujiwara no Sanehira (藤原実衡)
- Takamatsunomiya (高松宮) (apparently no connection with Arisugawa-no-miyaArisugawa-no-miyaThe ' is one of the shinnōke, branches of the Imperial Family of Japan which were, until 1947, eligible to succeed to the Chrysanthemum Throne in the event that the main line should die out....
, which was originally named Takamatsu-no-miya)
- Takamatsunomiya (高松宮) (apparently no connection with Arisugawa-no-miya
- Unknown
- Prince Saichū? (最忠法親王) - Buddhist Priest
- Imperial Prince Dōka? (道果親王)
Events of Toba's life
When his mother died, his grandfather, former-Emperor ShirakawaEmperor Shirakawa
was the 72nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Shirakawa's reign lasted from 1073 to 1087.-Genealogy:Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name was Sadahito-shinnō ....
, took him under his care and raised him.
- August 9, 1107 (KajōKajo, also romanized as Kashō, was a after Chōji and before Tennin. This period spanned the years from April 1106 through August 1108. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:...
2, 19th day of the 7th month): In the 21st year of Emperor Horikawa-tennō 's reign (堀河天皇21年), the emperor died at the age of 29; and the succession (‘‘senso’’) was received by his only son. Shortly thereafter, Emperor Toba is said to have acceded to the throne (‘‘sokui’’).
During the initial years of Toba's reign, the actual power was held by his grandfather, the "retired" Emperor Shirakawa
Emperor Shirakawa
was the 72nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Shirakawa's reign lasted from 1073 to 1087.-Genealogy:Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name was Sadahito-shinnō ....
, in a process known as cloistered rule
Cloistered rule
The Insei system , or cloistered rule, was a specific form of government in Japan during the Heian period. In this bifurcated system, an Emperor abdicated, but he retained power and influence. The emperors who withdrew to live in monasteries continued to act in ways which were intended to...
.
- 1110 (Ten'eiTen'eiwas a after Tennin and before Eikyū. This period spanned the years from July 1110 through July 1113. The reigning emperor was .-Change of Era:* January 22, 1110 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
3, 6th month): The Miidera-ji burned down. This was the second time the temple was destroyed by fire, the first time being in 1081.
- February 25, 1123 (HōanHoanwas a after Gen'ei and before Tenji. This period spanned the years from April 1120 through April 1124. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* February 1, 1120 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
4, 28th day of the 1st month): In the 17th year of Emperor Toba's reign (鳥羽天皇17年), Toba was forced to abdicate by his grandfather, retired-Emperor Shirakawa. Toba gave up the throne in favor of his son Akihito, who would become Emperor Sutoku. Toba was only 21 years old when he renounced his title; and he had already reigned for 16 years: two in the nengō Tennin, three in Ten'ei, five in the nengō Eikyū, two in Gen'ei, and four in the nengō Hōan. At this time, Toba took the title Daijō-tennō. The succession (senso) was received by a his son. - 1123 (Hōan 4, 2nd month): Emperor Sutoku is said to have acceded to the throne (sokui).
- 1129 (DaijiDaiji (era)was a after Tenji and before Tenshō. This period spanned the years from January 1126 through January 1131. The reigning emperor was .-Change of Era:* January 25, 1126 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
4): Emperor ShirakawaEmperor Shirakawawas the 72nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Shirakawa's reign lasted from 1073 to 1087.-Genealogy:Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name was Sadahito-shinnō ....
died; and Toba himself began to rule as cloistered emperor. Toba continued to hold power through the reigns of three emperors, Emperor SutokuEmperor Sutokuwas the 75th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Sutoku's reign spanned the years from 1123 through 1142.-Genealogy:Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name was Akihito ....
, Emperor KonoeEmperor Konoewas the 76th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Konoe's reign spanned the years from 1142 through 1155.-Genealogy:...
, and Emperor Go-ShirakawaEmperor Go-ShirakawaEmperor Go-Shirakawa was the 77th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession...
.
- 1134 (ChōshōChoshowas a after Tenshō and before Hōen. This period spanned the years from August 1132 through November 1135. The reigning emperor was .-Change of Era:* January 20, 1132 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
3): The former-Emperor Toba made a pilgrimage to the Kumano Shrines. He was accompanied by sadaijin Hanazono no Arahito and 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...
Naka-no-in Munetada. The excursion was enjoyed by all, and great quantities of sake were consumed.
Kugyō
Kugyō (公卿) 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. 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 Toba's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:
- Sesshō, Fujiwara Tadazane, 1078-1162.
- Kampaku, Fujiwara Tadazane.
- Kampaku, Fujiwara Tadamichi, 1097-1164.
- Daijō-daijin, Fujiwara Tadazane.
- 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 Tadamichi. - 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...
, Hanazono no Arahito. - 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...
, Naka-no-in Munetada. - Naidaijin
- 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 Toba's reign
The years of Toba's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.- KajōKajo, also romanized as Kashō, was a after Chōji and before Tennin. This period spanned the years from April 1106 through August 1108. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:...
(1106–1108) - TenninTennin (era)was a after Kajō and before Ten'ei. This period spanned the years from August 1108 through July 1110. The reigning emperor was .-Change of Era:* February 14, 1108 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
(1108–1110) - Ten'eiTen'eiwas a after Tennin and before Eikyū. This period spanned the years from July 1110 through July 1113. The reigning emperor was .-Change of Era:* January 22, 1110 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
(1110–1113) - EikyūEikyuwas a after Ten'ei and before Gen'ei. This period spanned the years from July 1113 through April 1118. The reigning emperor was .-Change of Era:* January 20, 1113 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
(1113–1118) - Gen'eiGen'eiwas a after Eikyū and before Hōan. This period spanned the years from April 1118 through April 1120. The reigning emperor was .-Change of Era:* January 24, 1118 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
(1118–1120) - HōanHoanwas a after Gen'ei and before Tenji. This period spanned the years from April 1120 through April 1124. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* February 1, 1120 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
(1120–1124)
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-TobaEmperor Go-Tobawas the 82nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1183 through 1198....