Dajo Tenno
Encyclopedia
Daijō Tennō or Dajō Tennō (both accepted readings of 太上天皇) was a Japanese Emperor
(Tennō) who abdicated in favor of a successor. It is often shortened as Jōkō (上皇).
As defined in the Taihō Code
, although retired, a Daijō Tennō could still exert power. The first such example of Daijō Tennō is the Empress Jitō
in the 7th century.
A retired emperor sometimes entered the Buddhist monastic community, becoming a cloistered emperor
.
This practice was rather common during the Heian period
.
The last Emperor to rule as a Jōkō was Emperor Kōkaku
(1779–1817). The Emperor later created an incident called the "Songo incident" (the "respectful title incident"). The emperor disputed with the Tokugawa Shogunate about his intention to give a title of Abdicated Emperor (Daijō-tennō) to his father, who was an Imperial Prince Sukehito.
A total of 62 Japanese emperors abdicated. An incomplete list follows:
, but he died at a young age. Kusabake's son, Karu-no-o, was then named as Jitō's successor. He eventually would become known as Emperor Mommu
.
In 697, Jitō abdicated in Mommu's favor; and as a retired sovereign, she took the post-reign title daijō-tennō. After this, her imperial successors who retired took the same title after abdication.
Jitō continued to hold power as a cloistered rule
r, which became a persistent trend in Japanese politics. Jitō died four years later at the age of 58.
. Genshō was eventually succeeded by her younger brother, who then became known as Emperor Shōmu
.
The Empress reigned for eight years. After abdicating, she was known as Daijō-tennō; and she was only the second woman after Empress Jitō to claim this title. Gemmei lived in retirement until her death at the age of 61.
Emperor Go-Sanjō
had wished for Shirakawa's younger half-brother to succeed him to the throne. In 1085, this half-brother died of an illness; and Shirakawa's own son, Taruhito-shinnō (善仁親王) became Crown Prince.
On the same day that Taruhito was proclaimed as his heir, Shirakawa abdicated;, and Taruhito became Emperor Horikawa
. The now-retired Emperor Shirakawa was the first to attempt what became customary cloistered rule
. He exercised power, ruling indirectly from the Shirakawa-in (lit. "White River Mansion/Temple"); nevertheless, nominal sesshō and kampaku offices continued to exist for a long time.
At that time, the Kampaku Fujiwara-no Tadamichi became Sesshō or regent. The Cloistered Emperor
Toba
continued to direct all the affairs of government, while the retired Emperor Sutoku
had no powers. This conflict resulted in many controversies during Konoe's reign.
abdicated on Kansho 5, on the 19th day of the 7th month (1464), but not long afterwards, the broke out, and there were no further abdications until Tensho 14, on the 7th day of the 11th month (1586), 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 it.
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...
(Tennō) who abdicated in favor of a successor. It is often shortened as Jōkō (上皇).
As defined in the Taihō Code
Taiho Code
The was an administrative reorganization enacted in 701 in Japan, at the end of the Asuka period. It was historically one of the . It was compiled at the direction of Prince Osakabe, Fujiwara no Fuhito and Awata no Mahito...
, although retired, a Daijō Tennō could still exert power. The first such example of Daijō Tennō is the Empress Jitō
Empress Jito
was the 41st emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Jitō's reign spanned the years from 686 through 697.In the history of Japan, Jitō was the third of eight women to take on the role of empress regnant. The two female monarchs before Jitō were Suiko and Kōgyoku/Saimei...
in the 7th century.
A retired emperor sometimes entered the Buddhist monastic community, becoming a cloistered emperor
Cloistered Emperor
Daijō Hōō or Daijō Hō , term sometimestranslated in English as cloistered Emperor, was a Japanese Emperor who abdicated and entered the Buddhist monastic community by receiving the Pravrajya rite...
.
This practice was rather common during the Heian period
Heian period
The is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. The period is named after the capital city of Heian-kyō, or modern Kyōto. It is the period in Japanese history when Buddhism, Taoism and other Chinese influences were at their height...
.
The last Emperor to rule as a Jōkō was Emperor Kōkaku
Emperor Kokaku
was the 119th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Kōkaku's reign spanned the years from 1780 through 1817.-Genealogy:...
(1779–1817). The Emperor later created an incident called the "Songo incident" (the "respectful title incident"). The emperor disputed with the Tokugawa Shogunate about his intention to give a title of Abdicated Emperor (Daijō-tennō) to his father, who was an Imperial Prince Sukehito.
A total of 62 Japanese emperors abdicated. An incomplete list follows:
Jitō
Prince Kusabake was named as crown prince to succeed Empress JitōEmpress Jito
was the 41st emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Jitō's reign spanned the years from 686 through 697.In the history of Japan, Jitō was the third of eight women to take on the role of empress regnant. The two female monarchs before Jitō were Suiko and Kōgyoku/Saimei...
, but he died at a young age. Kusabake's son, Karu-no-o, was then named as Jitō's successor. He eventually would become known as Emperor Mommu
Emperor Mommu
was the 42nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Mommu's reign spanned the years from 697 through 707.-Traditional narrative:Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name was Karu-shinnō....
.
In 697, Jitō abdicated in Mommu's favor; and as a retired sovereign, she took the post-reign title daijō-tennō. After this, her imperial successors who retired took the same title after abdication.
Jitō continued to hold power as a 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...
r, which became a persistent trend in Japanese politics. Jitō died four years later at the age of 58.
Gemmei
Gemmei had initially planned to remain on the throne until her grandson might reach maturity. However, in 715, Gemmei did abdicate in favor of Mommu's older sister who then became known as Empress GenshōEmpress Gensho
was the 44th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Genshō's reign spanned the years 715 through 724.In the history of Japan, Genshō was the fifth of eight women to take on the role of empress regnant. The four female monarchs before Genshō were: Suiko, Kōgyoku/Saimei,...
. Genshō was eventually succeeded by her younger brother, who then became known as 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:...
.
- 715 (WadōWado (era)was a after Keiun and before Reiki. This period spanned the years from January 708 through September 715. The reigning empress was .-Change of era:...
8): Gemmei resigns as empress in favor of her daughter, who will be known as Empress Genshō.
The Empress reigned for eight years. After abdicating, she was known as Daijō-tennō; and she was only the second woman after Empress Jitō to claim this title. Gemmei lived in retirement until her death at the age of 61.
Reizei
- 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...
2 969: 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.
- 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 (1011): Daijō-tennō Reizei-in Jōkō died at age 62.
Go-Sanjō
- 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, on the 13th day of the 6th month (1011): In the 25th year of Emperor Ichijō's reign (一条天皇25年), the emperor abdicated; and the succession (senso) was received by his cousin. Shortly thereafter, Emperor Sanjō is said to have acceded to the throne (sokui) at age 36. - Kankō 8, 22nd day of the 6th month (1011): Daijō-tennō Emperor IchijōEmperor Ichijowas the 66th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Ichijō's reign spanned the years from 986 to 1011.-Traditional narrative:Before he ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name was Kanehito-shinnō....
died at the age of 32.
Shirakawa
- Ōtoku 3, on the 26th day of the 11th month (1084): 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 ....
formally abdicated, and he took the title Daijō-tennō. Shirakawa had personally occupied the throne for 14 years; and for the next 43 years, he would exercise broad powers in what will come to be known as cloistered ruleCloistered ruleThe 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...
.
Emperor Go-Sanjō
Emperor Go-Sanjo
was the 71st emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Go-Sanjō's reign spanned the years from 1068 through 1073.This 11th century sovereign was named after Emperor Sanjō and go- , translates literally as "later;" and thus, he is sometimes called the "Later Emperor Sanjō"...
had wished for Shirakawa's younger half-brother to succeed him to the throne. In 1085, this half-brother died of an illness; and Shirakawa's own son, Taruhito-shinnō (善仁親王) became Crown Prince.
On the same day that Taruhito was proclaimed as his heir, Shirakawa abdicated;, and Taruhito became 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:...
. The now-retired Emperor Shirakawa was the first to attempt what became customary 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...
. He exercised power, ruling indirectly from the Shirakawa-in (lit. "White River Mansion/Temple"); nevertheless, nominal sesshō and kampaku offices continued to exist for a long time.
- KanjiKanjiKanji are the adopted logographic Chinese characters hanzi that are used in the modern Japanese writing system along with hiragana , katakana , Indo Arabic numerals, and the occasional use of the Latin alphabet...
1, in the 5th month (1087): Daijō-tennō Shirakawa retired himself to Uji.
Go-Toba
- EijiEijiwas a after Hōen and before Kōji. This period spanned the years from July 1141 through April 1142. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of Era:* February 9, 1141 : The old era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
1, in the 3rd month (1141): The former emperor Toba accepted the tonsure and became a Buddhist monk at the age of 39 years. - Eiji 1, on the 7th day of the 12th month (永治元年; 1141): In the 18th year of Sutoku-tennōs reign (崇徳天皇18年), the emperor abdicated; and the succession (senso) was received by a younger brother, the 8th son of former Emperor Toba. Shortly thereafter, Emperor Konoe is said to have acceded to the throne (sokui).
At that time, the Kampaku Fujiwara-no Tadamichi became Sesshō or regent. The Cloistered Emperor
Cloistered Emperor
Daijō Hōō or Daijō Hō , term sometimestranslated in English as cloistered Emperor, was a Japanese Emperor who abdicated and entered the Buddhist monastic community by receiving the Pravrajya rite...
Toba
Emperor Toba
was the 74th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Toba's reign spanned the years from 1107 through 1123.- Genealogy :...
continued to direct all the affairs of government, while the retired Emperor Sutoku
Emperor Sutoku
was 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 ....
had no powers. This conflict resulted in many controversies during Konoe's reign.
- Kōji 2, in the 1st month (1143): Cloistered EmperorCloistered EmperorDaijō Hōō or Daijō Hō , term sometimestranslated in English as cloistered Emperor, was a Japanese Emperor who abdicated and entered the Buddhist monastic community by receiving the Pravrajya rite...
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....
-in, now known by the title Daijō Hōō or HōōHooHoo is used in placenames in the east of England to indicate coastal peninsulas and promontories. It appears in:* Fort Hoo, a fort on an island in the River Medway, Kent* Hoo St Werburgh and Cliffe-at-Hoo on the Hoo Peninsula in Kent* Hoo, Suffolk...
(太上法皇), visited his mother.
Go-Hanazono
Emperor Go-HanazonoEmperor 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 on Kansho 5, on the 19th day of the 7th month (1464), but not long afterwards, the broke out, and there were no further abdications until Tensho 14, on the 7th day of the 11th month (1586), 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 it.
External links
- National Archives of Japan ... Scroll showing procession of Emperor Kōkaku who abdicated in Bunka 14 (1817)