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Emperor Seiwa (???? Seiwa-tenno) (Third month, 25th day, 850 - Twelfth month, 4th day, 880) was the 56th emperor
Emperor of Japan

The of Japan is the symbol of the state and of the unity of the Japanese people. He is the head of the Imperial House of Japan. Under Japan's present constitution, the Emperor is the "symbol of the state and the unity of the people," and is a ceremonial figurehead in a constitutional monarchy ....
 of Japan
Japan

Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, People's Republic of 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. His reign spanned the years from 858 through 876.

re his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne
Chrysanthemum Throne

File:Emperor Tenji.jpgThe Chrysanthemum Throne is the English language term used to identify the throne of the Emperor of Japan. The term can refer to very specific seating, as in the raised thrones constructed in the Shishin-den for Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun on November 10, 1928 ....
, his personal name (his imina) was Korehito Shinno. He was also known at Mizunoo-no-mikado.

Seiwa was the fourth son of Emperor Montoku
Emperor Montoku

Emperor Montoku was the 55th Emperor of Japan of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. The years of his reign spanned the years from 850 through 858....
.






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Emperor Seiwa (???? Seiwa-tenno) (Third month, 25th day, 850 - Twelfth month, 4th day, 880) was the 56th emperor
Emperor of Japan

The of Japan is the symbol of the state and of the unity of the Japanese people. He is the head of the Imperial House of Japan. Under Japan's present constitution, the Emperor is the "symbol of the state and the unity of the people," and is a ceremonial figurehead in a constitutional monarchy ....
 of Japan
Japan

Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, People's Republic of 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. His reign spanned the years from 858 through 876.

Genealogy

Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne
Chrysanthemum Throne

File:Emperor Tenji.jpgThe Chrysanthemum Throne is the English language term used to identify the throne of the Emperor of Japan. The term can refer to very specific seating, as in the raised thrones constructed in the Shishin-den for Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun on November 10, 1928 ....
, his personal name (his imina) was Korehito Shinno. He was also known at Mizunoo-no-mikado.

Seiwa was the fourth son of Emperor Montoku
Emperor Montoku

Emperor Montoku was the 55th Emperor of Japan of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. The years of his reign spanned the years from 850 through 858....
. His mother was Empress Dowager Fujiwara no Akirakeiko, also called the Somedono empress ???). Seiwa's mother was the daughter of Fujiwara no Yoshifusa
Fujiwara no Yoshifusa

was the first of the great regents from the Fujiwara family. He was the second son of Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu and Fujiwara no Mitsuko.A skillful politician, he managed to set up his own grandson as the emperor Emperor Seiwa, with himself acting as regent and de facto ruler....
, who was regent and great minister of the council of state.

He was the younger half-brother of Imperial Prince Koretaka (lived 844-897)

Events of Seiwa's life

Originally under the guardianship of his maternal grandfather Fujiwara no Yoshifusa
Fujiwara no Yoshifusa

was the first of the great regents from the Fujiwara family. He was the second son of Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu and Fujiwara no Mitsuko.A skillful politician, he managed to set up his own grandson as the emperor Emperor Seiwa, with himself acting as regent and de facto ruler....
, he displaced Imperial Prince Koretaka as Crown Prince
Crown Prince

A Crown Prince or Crown Princess is the heir 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.

  • Ten'an
    Ten'an

    was a after Saiko and before Jogan. This period spanned the years from 857 through 859. The reigning emperors were and ....
     2    , the 27th day of the 8th month (858): In the 8th year of Montoku-tennos reign (????8?), 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’’).
  • Ten'an 2, the 7th day of the 11th month (858): The emperor's official announcement of his enthronement at age 9 was accompanied by the appointment or his grandfather as regent (sessho). 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 that monopolized the regent positions, Sessho and Kampaku....
    , 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 Seishu was a Provinces of Japan of Japan including most of modern Mie Prefecture. Ise bordered Iga Province, Kii Province, Mino Province, Omi Province, Owari Province, Shima Province, and Yamato Provinces....
     and at all the tombs of the imperial family.


  • Jogan
    Jogan

    was a after Ten'an and before Gangyo. This period spanned the years from 859 through 877. The reigning emperors were and ....
     1    , in the 1st month (????; 859): All New Year's festivities were suspended because of the period of national mourning for the death of Emperor Montoku.
  • Jogan
    Jogan

    was a after Ten'an and before Gangyo. This period spanned the years from 859 through 877. The reigning emperors were and ....
     1     (859): Construction begins on the Iwashimizu Shrine
    Iwashimizu Shrine

    The is a Shinto shrine in the city of Yawata, Kyoto in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. ...
     near Heian-kyo. This shrine honors Hachiman, the Shinto war god.
  • Jogan
    Jogan

    was a after Ten'an and before Gangyo. This period spanned the years from 859 through 877. The reigning emperors were and ....
     10     (869): Yozei was born, and he is named Seiwa's heir in the following year.
  • Jogan 17, in the 11th month (876): In the 18th year of Seiwa-tennos reign(????18?), the emperor ceded his throne to his five-year-old son, which means that the young child received the succession (‘‘senso’’). Shortly thereafter, Emperor Yozei formally acceded to the throne (‘‘sokui’’).


  • Gangyo
    Gangyo

    was a after Jogan and before Ninna. This period spanned the years from 877 through 885. The reigning emperor was ....
     2     (878): Seiwa becomes a Buddhist priest. His new priestly name was Soshin.
  • Gangyo 2, on the 4th day of the 12th month (878): Former-Emperor Seiwa died at age 31.


From the site of his tomb, he was sometimes referred to as Mizunoo.

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

The of Japan is the symbol of the state and of the unity of the Japanese people. He is the head of the Imperial House of Japan. Under Japan's present constitution, the Emperor is the "symbol of the state and the unity of the people," and is a ceremonial figurehead in a constitutional monarchy ....
 in pre-Meiji
Meiji period

The , or Meiji era, denotes the 45-year reign of the Meiji Emperor, running, in the Gregorian calendar, from 23 October 1868 to 30 July 1912. During this time, Japan started its modernization and rose to world power status....
 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 Daijo-kan included:
  • Sessho, Fujiwara no Yoshifusa
    Fujiwara no Yoshifusa

    was the first of the great regents from the Fujiwara family. He was the second son of Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu and Fujiwara no Mitsuko.A skillful politician, he managed to set up his own grandson as the emperor Emperor Seiwa, with himself acting as regent and de facto ruler....
    , 804-872.
  • Daijo-daijin, Fujiwara no Yoshifusa.
  • Sadaijin
    Sadaijin

    Sadaijin , most commonly translated as "Minister of the Left", was a government position in Japan in the late Nara period and Heian periods....
    , Minamoto no Makoto.
  • Sadaijin, Minamoto no Tooru.
  • Udaijin
    Udaijin

    Udaijin , most commonly translated as the "Minister of the Right", was a government position in Japan in the late Nara period and Heian periods....
    , Fujiwara no Yoshimi, 817-867.
  • Udaijin, Fujiwara no Ujimune.
  • Udaijin, Fujiwara no Mototsune
    Fujiwara no Mototsune

    continued the trend begun by Fujiwara no Yoshifusa of monopolizing the position of regent to the Emperor of Japan. He was third son of Fujiwara no Nagara, brother of Fujiwara no Yoshifusa, and Fujiwara no Otoharu , daughter of Fujiwara no Tsugutada....
    , 836-891.
  • Naidaijin
  • Dainagon
    Dainagon

    , often translated as "Great Councillor," was a government post of the Japanese ritsuryo governmental system, which was in place for much of the classical and feudal periods....


Eras of Seiwa's reign

The years of Seiwa's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengo.
  • Ten'an
    Ten'an

    was a after Saiko and before Jogan. This period spanned the years from 857 through 859. The reigning emperors were and ....
      (857-859)
  • Jogan
    Jogan

    was a after Ten'an and before Gangyo. This period spanned the years from 859 through 877. The reigning emperors were and ....
      (859-877)


Consorts and Children

Nyogo
Kokyu

The kokyu is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow . Although it was supposedly introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape and sound are unique to Japan....
(Kotaigo): Fujiwara no Takaiko (842-910), daughter of Fujiwara no Nagara
  • Imperial Prince Sadaakira (868-949) (Emperor Yozei
    Emperor Yozei

    Emperor Yozei was the 57th Emperor of Japan of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the eyrs from 876 through 884....
    )
  • Imperial Prince Sadayasu (870-924)
  • Imperial Princess Atsuko (?-930), 7th Saiin in Kamo Shrine
    Kamo Shrine

    File:Kamo-wakeikazuchi-jinja31ss4272.jpgThe Kamo Shrines, ' and ' are a pair of Shinto Jinja which were formerly located outside Kyoto, Kyoto, but in the 20th century they came to be incorporated within the expanded boundaries of the ancient capital city....
     877-880


Nyogo
Kokyu

The kokyu is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow . Although it was supposedly introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape and sound are unique to Japan....
: Fujiwara no Tamiko (?-886), daughter of Fujiwara no Yoshimi

Nyogo
Kokyu

The kokyu is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow . Although it was supposedly introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape and sound are unique to Japan....
: Taira no Kanshi

Nyogo
Kokyu

The kokyu is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow . Although it was supposedly introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape and sound are unique to Japan....
: Princess Kashi, daughter of Prince Munesada
  • Imperial Prince Sadasumi (873-916) - father of Minamoto no Tsunemoto
    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....
    , 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 this line....
    , from whom the Kamakura shogunate
    Kamakura shogunate

    The Kamakura shogunate was a feudal military dictatorship in Japan headed by the shoguns from 1185 to 1333. It was based in Kamakura, Kanagawa....
     and the Ashikaga shogunate
    Ashikaga shogunate

    The was a feudal military dictatorship ruled by the shoguns of the Ashikaga family.This period is also known as the Muromachi period and gets its name from the Muromachi street of Kyoto where the third shogun 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 feudalism regime of Japan established by Tokugawa Ieyasu and ruled by the shoguns of the Tokugawa family....
     claimed descent


Nyogo
Kokyu

The kokyu is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow . Although it was supposedly introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape and sound are unique to Japan....
: Minamoto no Seishi, daughter of Emperor Montoku
Emperor Montoku

Emperor Montoku was the 55th Emperor of Japan of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. The years of his reign spanned the years from 850 through 858....


Nyogo
Kokyu

The kokyu is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow . Although it was supposedly introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape and sound are unique to Japan....
: Minamoto no Sadako (?-873)

Nyogo
Kokyu

The kokyu is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow . Although it was supposedly introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape and sound are unique to Japan....
: Minamoto no Kenshi/Atsuko

Nyogo
Kokyu

The kokyu is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow . Although it was supposedly introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape and sound are unique to Japan....
: Princess Chushi/Tadako, daughter of Imperial Prince Tokiyasu(Emperor Koko
Emperor Koko

was the 58th Emperor of Japan of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. He reigned from 884 to 887....
 later)

Nyogo
Kokyu

The kokyu is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow . Although it was supposedly introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape and sound are unique to Japan....
: Fujiwara no Yoriko (?-936), daughter of Fujiwara no Mototsune
Fujiwara no Mototsune

continued the trend begun by Fujiwara no Yoshifusa of monopolizing the position of regent to the Emperor of Japan. He was third son of Fujiwara no Nagara, brother of Fujiwara no Yoshifusa, and Fujiwara no Otoharu , daughter of Fujiwara no Tsugutada....


Nyogo
Kokyu

The kokyu is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow . Although it was supposedly introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape and sound are unique to Japan....
: Fujiwara no Kazuko, daughter of Fujiwara no Mototsune
Fujiwara no Mototsune

continued the trend begun by Fujiwara no Yoshifusa of monopolizing the position of regent to the Emperor of Japan. He was third son of Fujiwara no Nagara, brother of Fujiwara no Yoshifusa, and Fujiwara no Otoharu , daughter of Fujiwara no Tsugutada....
  • Imperial Prince Sadatoki (874-929)


Nyogo
Kokyu

The kokyu is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow . Although it was supposedly introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape and sound are unique to Japan....
: Minamoto no Takeko/Izuko (?-878), daughter of Minamoto no Yoshiari

Nyogo
Kokyu

The kokyu is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow . Although it was supposedly introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape and sound are unique to Japan....
: Minamoto no Gishi/Yoshiko, daughter of Minamoto no Okimoto

Nyogo
Kokyu

The kokyu is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow . Although it was supposedly introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape and sound are unique to Japan....
: Princess Kenshi

Nyogo
Kokyu

The kokyu is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow . Although it was supposedly introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape and sound are unique to Japan....
: Princess Ryushi

Koui
Kokyu

The kokyu is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow . Although it was supposedly introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape and sound are unique to Japan....
: A daughter of Tachibana no Yasukage
  • Imperial Prince Sadakata (?-930)


Koui
Kokyu

The kokyu is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow . Although it was supposedly introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape and sound are unique to Japan....
: A daughter of Fujiwara no Nakamune
  • Imperial Prince Sadamoto (?-909)


Koui
Kokyu

The kokyu is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow . Although it was supposedly introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape and sound are unique to Japan....
: A daughter of Fujiwara no Yoshichika
  • Imperial Prince Sadahira (?-913)
  • Imperial Princess Shikiko (874-906), 21st Saio
    Saio

    A , also known as "Itsuki no Miko", was an unmarried female relative of the Emperor of Japan, sent to Ise, Mie to serve at Ise Grand Shrine from the late 7th century until the 14th century....
     (Imperial Princess serving at Ise Shrine) 877-880


Koui
Kokyu

The kokyu is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow . Although it was supposedly introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape and sound are unique to Japan....
: Ariwara no Fumiko, daughter of Ariwara no Yukihira
  • Imperial Prince Sadakazu (875-916)
  • Imperial Princess Kaneko (?-889)


Koui
Kokyu

The kokyu is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow . Although it was supposedly introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape and sound are unique to Japan....
: A daughter of Fujiwara no Morofuji
  • Imperial Prince Sadazane (876-932)
  • Imperial Princess Moshi (?-901)


Koui
Kokyu

The kokyu is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow . Although it was supposedly introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape and sound are unique to Japan....
: A daughter of Fujiwara no Naomune
  • Imperial Prince Sadayori (876-922)


Koui
Kokyu

The kokyu is a traditional Japanese string instrument, the only one played with a bow . Although it was supposedly introduced to Japan from China along with the shamisen, its material, shape and sound are unique to Japan....
: A daughter of Saeki no Sanefusa
  • Minamoto no Nagami
  • Minamoto no Nagayori


Court lady : A daughter of Kamo no Mineo
  • Minamoto no Naganori (?-918)
  • Minamoto no Saishi/Noriko


Court lady : A daughter of Ono no Takatori
  • Minamoto no Nagafuchi


See also

  • Emperor of Japan
    Emperor of Japan

    The of Japan is the symbol of the state and of the unity of the Japanese people. He is the head of the Imperial House of Japan. Under Japan's present constitution, the Emperor is the "symbol of the state and the unity of the people," and is a ceremonial figurehead in a constitutional monarchy ....
  • List of Emperors of Japan
    List of Emperors of Japan

    The following is a traditional list of Emperor of Japan. Dates for the first 28 emperors, and especially the first 16, are based on the Japanese era name system....
  • Imperial cult
    Imperial cult

    An Imperial cult is a form of state religion in which an emperor, or a dynasty of emperors , are worshiped as messiahs, demigods or deity. "Cult " here is used to mean "worship," not in the modern pejorative sense....
  • Emperor Go-Mizunoo
    Emperor Go-Mizunoo

    [Image:GoMizunoo Kyoto.jpg|thumb|right|The tomb of Emperor Go-Mizunoo, Kyoto Emperor Go-Mizunoo was the 108th Emperor of Japan of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession....