Emperor Go-Suzaku
Encyclopedia
was the 69th emperor
of Japan
, according to the traditional order of succession.
Go-Suzaku's reign spanned the years from 1036 through 1045.
This 11th-century sovereign was named after the 10th-century Emperor Suzaku
and go- (後), translates literally as "later;" and thus, he is sometimes called the "Later Emperor Suzaku". The Japanese word "go" has also been translated to mean the "second one;" and in some older sources, this emperor may be identified as "Suzaku, the second" or as "Suzaku II."
, his personal name (his imina) was Atsunaga-shinnō (敦良親王). He was also known as Atsunaga-shinnō.
His father was Emperor Ichijō
. His mother was Fujiwara no Shōshi
(or Akiko) (藤原彰子), the daughter of Fujiwara no Michinaga
(藤原道長). He was the younger brother and heir to Emperor Go-Ichijō
.
Go-Suzaku had five Empresses and seven Imperial sons.
The actual site of Go-Suzaku'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 Go-Suzaku's mausoleum
. It is formally named Enjō-ji no misasagi.
Go-Suzaku is buried amongst the "Seven Imperial Tombs" at Ryoan-ji Temple in Kyoto.
The specific mound which commemorates the Hosokawa Emperor Go-Suzaku is today named Shu-zan.
The emperor's burial place would have been quite humble in the period after Go-Suzaku died.
These tombs reached their present state as a result of the 19th century restoration of imperial sepulchers (misasagi) which were ordered by Emperor Meiji.
The final resting place of Emperor Go-Suzaku's consort, Teishi Nai-shinnō (1013–1094), is here as well.
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 Go-Suzaku's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:
Empress (kōgō): Imperial Princess Teishi
/Sadako (禎子内親王) (1013–1094), 3rd daughter of Emperor Sanjō
Empress (chūgū): Fujiwara no Genshi
/Motoko (藤原嫄子) (1016–1039), adopted daughter of Fujiwara no Yorimichi
(biological daughter of Imperial Prince Atsuyasu (敦康親王))
Nyōgo: Fujiwara no Nariko/Seishi (藤原生子) (1014–1068), eldest daughter of Fujiwara no Norimichi
(藤原教通)
Nyōgo: Fujiwara Enshi/Nobuko (藤原延子) (1016–1095), 2nd daughter of Fujiwara no Yorimune (藤原頼宗)
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.
Go-Suzaku's reign spanned the years from 1036 through 1045.
This 11th-century sovereign was named after the 10th-century 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:...
and go- (後), translates literally as "later;" and thus, he is sometimes called the "Later Emperor Suzaku". The Japanese word "go" has also been translated to mean the "second one;" and in some older sources, this emperor may be identified as "Suzaku, the second" or as "Suzaku II."
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 Atsunaga-shinnō (敦良親王). He was also known as Atsunaga-shinnō.
His father was Emperor Ichijō
Emperor Ichijo
was 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....
. His mother was Fujiwara no Shōshi
Empress Shōshi
or Empress Shōshi , , also known as , the eldest daughter of Fujiwara no Michinaga, was Empress of Japan from c. 1000 to c. 1011...
(or Akiko) (藤原彰子), the daughter of Fujiwara no Michinaga
Fujiwara no Michinaga
represents the highpoint of the Fujiwara regents' control over the government of Japan.-Early life:He was the fourth or fifth son of Fujiwara no Kaneie by his wife Tokihime, daughter of Fujiwara no Nakamasa...
(藤原道長). He was the younger brother and heir to Emperor Go-Ichijō
Emperor Go-Ichijo
was the 68th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Go-Ichijō's reign spanned the years from 1016 through 1036.This 11th century sovereign was named after Emperor Ichijō and go- , translates literally as "later;" and thus, he is sometimes called the "Later Emperor Ichijō"...
.
Go-Suzaku had five Empresses and seven Imperial sons.
Events of Go-Suzaku's life
- May 15, 1036 (ChōgenChogenwas a after Manju and before Chōryaku. This period spanned the years from July 1028 through April 1037. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* 1028 : The new era name Chōgen was created to mark and event or series of events...
9, 17th day of the 4th month) : In the 9th year of Emperor Go-Ichijō's reign (後一条天皇9年), he died; and the succession (‘‘senso’’) was received by a his son. - 1036 (ChōgenChogenwas a after Manju and before Chōryaku. This period spanned the years from July 1028 through April 1037. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* 1028 : The new era name Chōgen was created to mark and event or series of events...
9, 7th month): Emperor Go-Suzaku is said to have acceded to the throne (‘‘sokui’’).
- February 5, 1045 (KantokuKantokuwas a after Chōkyū and before Eishō. This period spanned the years from November 1044 through April 1046. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* 1044 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
2, 16th day of the 1st month): Emperor Go-Suzaku abdicated. - February 7, 1045 (KantokuKantokuwas a after Chōkyū and before Eishō. This period spanned the years from November 1044 through April 1046. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* 1044 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
2, 18th day of the 1st month): The former-Emperor Go-Suzaku died at the age of 37. His reign has lasted nine years—five in the nengō Chōryaku, four in Chōkyu, and 2 in Kantoku.
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 Go-Suzaku'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 Enjō-ji no misasagi.
Go-Suzaku is buried amongst the "Seven Imperial Tombs" at Ryoan-ji Temple in Kyoto.
The specific mound which commemorates the Hosokawa Emperor Go-Suzaku is today named Shu-zan.
The emperor's burial place would have been quite humble in the period after Go-Suzaku died.
These tombs reached their present state as a result of the 19th century restoration of imperial sepulchers (misasagi) which were ordered by Emperor Meiji.
The final resting place of Emperor Go-Suzaku's consort, Teishi Nai-shinnō (1013–1094), is here as well.
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. 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 Go-Suzaku's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:
- 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 Yorimichi, 992-1074. - 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 Sanesuke, 957-1046. - Nadaijin, Fujiwara Norimichi, 997-1075.
- 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 Go-Suzaku's reign
The years of Go-Suzaku's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.- ChōgenChogenwas a after Manju and before Chōryaku. This period spanned the years from July 1028 through April 1037. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* 1028 : The new era name Chōgen was created to mark and event or series of events...
(1028–1037) - ChōryakuChoryakuwas a after Chōgen and before Chōkyū. This period spanned the years from April 1037 through 1040. The reigning emperor was .-Change of era:* 1037 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
(1037–1040) - ChōkyūChokyuwas a after Chōryaku and before Kantoku. This period spanned the years from November 1040 through November 1044. The reigning emperor was .-Change of era:* 1040 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
(1040–1044) - KantokuKantokuwas a after Chōkyū and before Eishō. This period spanned the years from November 1044 through April 1046. The reigning emperors were and .-Change of era:* 1044 : The new era name was created to mark an event or series of events...
(1044–1046)
Consorts and children
Crown Princess (died before Emperor's accession): Fujiwara no Kishi/Yoshiko (藤原嬉子), 4th daughter of Fujiwara no MichinagaFujiwara no Michinaga
represents the highpoint of the Fujiwara regents' control over the government of Japan.-Early life:He was the fourth or fifth son of Fujiwara no Kaneie by his wife Tokihime, daughter of Fujiwara no Nakamasa...
- Imperial Prince Chikahito (親仁親王) (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...
) (1025–1068)
Empress (kōgō): Imperial Princess Teishi
Princess Teishi
Princess Teishi was an Empress consort of Japan. She was the consort of Emperor Go-Suzaku of Japan.- Sources :...
/Sadako (禎子内親王) (1013–1094), 3rd daughter of Emperor Sanjō
Emperor Sanjo
was 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 Takahito (尊仁親王) (Emperor Go-SanjōEmperor Go-Sanjowas 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"...
) (1034–1073) - Imperial Princess Nagako/Ryōshi (良子内親王) (1029–1077) - SaiōSaioA , 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...
at Ise ShrineIse Shrineis a Shinto shrine dedicated to goddess Amaterasu-ōmikami, located in the city of Ise in Mie prefecture, Japan. Officially known simply as , Ise Jingū is in fact a shrine complex composed of a large number of Shinto shrines centered on two main shrines, and ....
1036-1045 (Ippon-Jusangū, 一品准三宮) - Imperial Princess Kenshi (娟子内親王) (1032–1103) - Saiin at 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...
1036-1045, and later married to Minamoto no Toshifusa (源俊房)
Empress (chūgū): Fujiwara no Genshi
Fujiwara no Genshi
Fujiwara no Genshi was an Empress consort of Japan. She was the consort of Emperor Go-Suzaku of Japan.- Sources :...
/Motoko (藤原嫄子) (1016–1039), adopted daughter of Fujiwara no Yorimichi
Fujiwara no Yorimichi
' , son of Michinaga, was a Japanese Court noble. He succeeded his father to the position of Sesshō in 1017, and then went on to become Kampaku from 1020 until 1068...
(biological daughter of Imperial Prince Atsuyasu (敦康親王))
- Imperial Princess Yūshi/Sukeko (祐子内親王) (1038–1105) - (Sanpon-Jusangū, 三品准三宮)
- Imperial Princess Baishi (禖子内親王) (Rokujō Saiin, 六条斎院) (1039–1096) - Saiin at 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...
1046-1058
Nyōgo: Fujiwara no Nariko/Seishi (藤原生子) (1014–1068), eldest daughter of Fujiwara no Norimichi
Fujiwara no Norimichi
, fifth son of Michinaga, was a kugyo of the Heian period. His mother was Minamoto no Rinshi , daughter of Minamoto no Masanobu. Regent Yorimichi, Empress Shōshi , Empress Kenshi were his brother and sisters from the same mother...
(藤原教通)
Nyōgo: Fujiwara Enshi/Nobuko (藤原延子) (1016–1095), 2nd daughter of Fujiwara no Yorimune (藤原頼宗)
- Imperial Princess Masako (正子内親王) (Oshinokōji-Saiin, 押小路斎院) (1045–1114) - Saiin at 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...
1058-1069
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...