Cloistered Emperor
Encyclopedia
Daijō Hōō or Daijō Hō term sometimes
translated in English as cloistered Emperor, was a Japanese Emperor (Tennō) who abdicated and entered the Buddhist monastic community by receiving the Pravrajya rite. The term can also be shortened in Hōō (法皇).
Cloistered emperors sometimes acted as Daijō Tennō (retired emperors), therefore maintaining effective power. This title was first assumed by Emperor Shōmu
and was later used by many other emperors who "took the tonsure
", signifying a decision to become a Buddhist monk.
were:
Emperor Go-Hanazono
abdicated in 1464 (the 5th year of Kansho
), but not long afterwards, the Onin War
(Onin-no-ran) broke out, and there were no further abdications until 1586 (the 5th year of Tensho
), when Emperor Ōgimachi
gave over the reins of government to his grandson Emperor Go-Yōzei
. This was due to the disturbed state of the country; and the fact that there was neither a house for an ex-emperor nor money to support him or the cloistered rule.
translated in English as cloistered Emperor, was a Japanese Emperor (Tennō) who abdicated and entered the Buddhist monastic community by receiving the Pravrajya rite. The term can also be shortened in Hōō (法皇).
Cloistered emperors sometimes acted as Daijō Tennō (retired emperors), therefore maintaining effective power. This title was first assumed by 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:...
and was later used by many other emperors who "took the tonsure
Tonsure
Tonsure is the traditional practice of Christian churches of cutting or shaving the hair from the scalp of clerics, monastics, and, in the Eastern Orthodox Church, all baptized members...
", signifying a decision to become a Buddhist monk.
Heian period
Emperors who adopted cloistered ruleCloistered 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...
were:
- 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 ....
(1053–1129, r. 1073-1087 and cloistered rule 1087-1129) - Emperor TobaEmperor Tobawas the 74th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Toba's reign spanned the years from 1107 through 1123.- Genealogy :...
(1103–1156, r. 1107-1123 and cloistered rule 1129-1156) - Emperor Go-ShirakawaEmperor Go-ShirakawaEmperor Go-Shirakawa was the 77th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession...
(1127–1192, r. 1155-1158 and cloistered rule 1158-1192) - 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....
(1180–1239, r. 1183-1198 and cloistered rule 1198-1221) - Emperor Go-HorikawaEmperor Go-Horikawawas the 86th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. This reign spanned the years from 1221 through 1232....
(1212–1234, r. 1221-1232 and cloistered rule 1232-1234) - Emperor Go-SagaEmperor Go-SagaEmperor Go-Saga was the 88th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession...
(1220–1272, r. 1242-1246 and cloistered rule 1246-1272)
Emperor Go-Hanazono
Emperor Go-Hanazono
was the 102nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1428 through] 1464....
abdicated in 1464 (the 5th year of Kansho
Kansho
was a after Chōroku and before Bunshō. This period spanned from December 1460 through February 1466. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* 1460 : The era name was changed to mark an event or a number of events...
), but not long afterwards, the Onin War
Onin War
The ' was a civil war that lasted 10 years during the Muromachi period in Japan. A dispute between Hosokawa Katsumoto and Yamana Sōzen escalated into a nationwide war involving the Ashikaga shogunate and a number of daimyo in many regions of Japan....
(Onin-no-ran) broke out, and there were no further abdications until 1586 (the 5th year of Tensho
Tensho
was a after Genki and before Bunroku. This period spanned the years from July 1573 through December 1592. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* 1573 : The new era name was created to mark a number of regional wars...
), when Emperor Ōgimachi
Emperor Ogimachi
Emperor Ōgimachi was the 106th Emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. He reigned from October 27, 1557 to December 17, 1586, corresponding to the transition between the Warring States Era and the Azuchi-Momoyama period...
gave over the reins of government to his grandson Emperor Go-Yōzei
Emperor Go-Yozei
was the 107th Emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Go-Yōzei's reign spanned the years from 1586 through 1611, corresponding to the transition between the Azuchi-Momoyama period and the Edo period....
. This was due to the disturbed state of the country; and the fact that there was neither a house for an ex-emperor nor money to support him or the cloistered rule.