(Translated by https://www.hiragana.jp/)
Emperor Uda - Wikipedia
Wikipedia

Emperor Uda

Emperor Uda (宇多天皇うだてんのう, Uda-tennō, June 10, 866 – September 3, 931) was the 59th emperor of Japan,[1] according to the traditional order of succession.[2]

Emperor Uda
宇多天皇うだてんのう
Emperor of Japan
ReignSeptember 17, 887 – August 4, 897
EnthronementDecember 5, 887
PredecessorKōkō
SuccessorDaigo
BornJune 10, 866
Heian Kyō (Kyōto)
DiedSeptember 3, 931(931-09-03) (aged 65)
Buddhist temple of Ninna-ji (仁和寺にんなじ)
Burial
Ōuchiyama no misasagi (大内おおうち山陵さんりょう) (Kyoto)
Issue
more...		Emperor Daigo
Posthumous name
Tsuigō:
Emperor Uda (宇多院うだいん or 宇多天皇うだてんのう)
HouseImperial House of Japan
FatherEmperor Kōkō
MotherHanshi

Uda's reign spanned the years from 887 through 897.[3]

Traditional narrative

edit

Name and legacy

edit

Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name (imina)[4] was Sadami (定じょう省しょう)[5] or Chōjiin-tei.[6]

Emperor Uda was the third son of Emperor Kōkō. His mother was Empress Dowager Hanshi, a daughter of Prince Nakano (who was himself a son of Emperor Kanmu).[7] Uda had five Imperial consorts and 20 Imperial children.[8] Particularly important sons include:

Historical background

edit

In ancient Japan, there were four noble clans, the Gempeitōkitsu (源平げんぺい藤ふじ橘たちばな). One of these clans, the Minamoto clan (源みなもと氏し), is also known as Genji. Some of Uda's grandchildren were granted the surname Minamoto, the most used surname for former Japanese royalty. In order to distinguish Uda's descendants from other Genji, they became known as the Uda Genji (宇多うた源はじめ氏し), some of which moved to Ōmi Province and became known as Sasaki clan (佐々木ささき氏し) or Ōmi Genji (近江おうみ源はじめ氏し).

Among the Uda Genji, Minamoto no Masazane (源みなもと雅信まさのぶ), a son of Prince Atsumi (敦あつし実じつ親王しんのう) succeeded in the court. Masazane became sadaijin (Minister of the Left). One of Masazane's daughters, Minamoto no Rinshi (源みなもと倫子ともこ) married Fujiwara no Michinaga and from this marriage three empresses dowagers and two regents (sesshō) were born.

From Masanobu, several kuge families originated including the Niwata, Ayanokōji, Itsutsuji, Ōhara and Jikōji. From his fourth son Sukeyosi, the Sasaki clan originated, and thus Kyōgoku clan originated. These descendants are known as Ōmi Genji today. From this line, Sasaki Takauji made a success at the Muromachi shogunate and the Amago clan originated from his brother.

Events of Uda's life

edit

Uda's father, Emperor Kōkō, demoted his sons from the rank of imperial royals to that of subjects in order to reduce the state expenses, as well as their political influence. Sadami was given the clan name of Minamoto and named Minamoto no Sadami. Later, in 887, when Kōkō needed to appoint his successor, Sadami was once again promoted to the Imperial Prince rank with support of kampaku Fujiwara no Mototsune, since Sadami was adopted by a half-sister of Mototsune. After the death of his father in November of that year, Sadami-shinnō ascended to the throne.

  • September 17, 887 (Ninna 3, 26th day of the 8th month): Emperor Kōkō died; and his third son received the succession (senso). Shortly thereafter, Emperor Uda formally acceded to the throne (sokui).[10]
  • December 5, 887 (Ninna 3, 17th day of the 11th month): Mototsune asked Uda for permission to retire from his duties; but the emperor is said to have responded, "My youth limits my ability to govern; and if you stop offering me your good counsel, I will be obliged to abdicate and to retire to a monastery." Therefore, Mototsune continued to serve as the new emperor's kampaku.[11]
 
A garden at Ninnaji
  • 888 (Ninna 4, 8th month): Construction of the newly created Buddhist temple of Ninna-ji (仁和寺にんなじ) was completed; and a former disciple of Kōbō-daishi was installed as the new abbot.[11]
  • 889 (Kanpyō 1, 10th month): The former emperor Yōzei became deranged, and afflicted by mental illness. Yōzei would enter the palace and address courtiers he would meet with the greatest rudeness. He became increasingly furious. He garroted women with the strings of musical instruments and then threw the bodies into a lake. While riding on horseback, he directed his mount to run over people. Sometimes he simply disappeared into the mountains where he chased wild boars and red deer.[12]

In the beginning of Uda's reign, Mototsune held the office of kampaku (or chancellor). Emperor Uda's reign is marked by a prolonged struggle to reassert power by the Imperial Family away from the increasing influence of the Fujiwara, beginning with the death of Mototsune in 891. Records show that shortly thereafter, Emperor Uda assigned scholars Sukeyo and Kiyoyuki, supporters of Mototsune, to provincial posts in the remote provinces of Mutsu and Higo respectively.[13] Meanwhile, non-Fujiwara officials mainly from the Minamoto family were promoted to prominent ranks, while his trusted counselor, Sugawara no Michizane rapidly rose in rank within five years to reach the third rank in the court, and supervision of the Crown Prince's household.[13] Meanwhile, Mototsune's son and heir, Fujiwara no Tokihira, rose in rank, but only just enough to prevent an open power struggle.

Meanwhile, Emperor Uda attempted to return Court politics to the original spirit envisioned in the Ritsuryō Codes, while reviving intellectual interest in Confucian doctrine and culture. In the seventh month of 896, Emperor Uda dispatched Sugawara no Michizane to review prisoners in the capitol and provide a general amnesty for the wrongfully accused, in keeping with Chinese practices. Emperor Uda also issued edicts reinforcing peasant land rights from encroachment by powerful families in the capital or monastic institutions, while auditing tax collections made in the provinces.[13]

Emperor Uda stopped the practice of sending ambassadors to China (遣唐使けんとうし, 'ken-toh-shi'). The emperor's decision was informed by what he understood as persuasive counsel from Sugawara Michizane.[14]

The Special Festival of the Kamo Shrine was first held during Uda's reign.[15]

When determining promotions and rewards for palace guards who have been on duty long hours and have good reputations, do not hold rigidly to precedents; just avoid the words of women and the advice of lesser men ... When foreign [literally "barbarian"] guests must be received, greet them from behind a curtain; do not face upon them directly. I have already made an error with Li Huan [a Chinese summoned to court in 896] ... Do not select as provincial officials those who request appointment. Only allow to serve those who have experience in the various offices and are known to be effective.

— Emperor Uda, [13]

In 897, Uda abdicated in favor of his eldest son, Prince Atsuhito, who would later come to be known as Emperor Daigo. Uda left behind an hortatory will or testament which offered general admonitions or precepts[16] for his son's guidance (see excerpt at right). The document praises Fujiwara no Tokihira as an advisor but cautions against his womanizing; and Sugawara no Michizane is praised as Uda's mentor. Both were assigned by Emperor Uda to look after his son until the latter reach maturity.

Three years later, he entered the Buddhist priesthood at age 34 in 900.[15] Having founded the temple at Ninna-ji, Uda made it his new home after his abdication.

 
Decorative emblems (kiri) of the Hosokawa clan are found at Ryōan-ji. Uda is amongst six other emperors entombed near what had been the residence of Hosokawa Katsumoto before the Ōnin War.

His Buddhist name was Kongō Kaku.[15] He was sometimes called "the Cloistered Emperor of Teiji (亭ちん子この帝みかど)", because the name of the Buddhist hall where he resided after becoming a priest was called Teijiin.[8]

Uda died in 931 (Shōhei 1, 19th day of the 7th month) at the age of 65.[17]

The actual site of Uda's grave is known.[1] This emperor is traditionally venerated at a memorial Shinto shrine (misasagi) at Kyoto.

The Imperial Household Agency designates this location as Uda's mausoleum. It is formally named Kaguragaoka no Higashi no misasagi.[18]

The former emperor is buried amongst the "Seven Imperial Tombs" at Ryōan-ji Temple in Kyoto.[19] The mound which commemorates the Hosokawa Emperor Uda is today named O-uchiyama. The emperor's burial place would have been quite humble in the period after Uda died. These tombs reached their present state as a result of the 19th century restoration of imperial sepulchers which were ordered by Emperor Meiji.[20]

Kugyō

edit

Kugyō (公卿くぎょう) is a collective term for the very few most powerful men attached to the court of the Emperor of Japan in pre-Meiji eras.[21]

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 Uda's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:

Eras of Uda's reign

edit

The years of Uda's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name, or nengō.[22]

Consorts and children

edit

Consort (Nyōgo): Fujiwara no Onshi (藤原ふじわら温子あつこ, 872–907), Fujiwara no Mototsune’s daughter

  • Imperial Princess Kinshi (均ひとし子こ内親王ないしんのう, 890–910), married to Imperial Prince Atsuyoshi

Consort (Nyōgo): Fujiwara no Inshi (藤原ふじわら胤たね子こ, d. 896), Fujiwara no Takafuji’s daughter

  • First Son: Imperial Prince Atsugimi (敦あつし仁じん親王しんのう, 885–930) later Emperor Daigo
  • Fourth Son: Imperial Prince Atsuyoshi (敦あつし慶けい親王しんのう, 887–930)
  • Imperial Prince Atsukata (敦あつし固かた親王しんのう, d. 926)
  • Imperial Princess Jūshi (柔やわら子こ内親王ないしんのう, 892–958), 25th Saiō in Ise Shrine (897–930)
  • Eighth Son: Imperial Prince Atsumi (敦あつし実じつ親王しんのう, 893–967)

Consort (Nyōgo): Tachibana no Yoshiko/Gishi (橘たちばな義子よしこ), Tachibana no Hiromi’s daughter

  • Second Son: Imperial Prince Tokinaka (斉ひとし中なか親王しんのう, 885–891)
  • Third Son: Imperial Prince Tokiyo (斉ひとし世よ親王しんのう, 886–927) later Imperial Prince Priest Shinjaku (真ま寂さび法親王ほうしんのう)
  • Imperial Prince Tokikuni (斉ひとし邦くに親王しんのう)
  • Fourth Daughter: Imperial Princess Kunshi (君子くんし内親王ないしんのう, d. 902), 10th Saiin in Kamo Shrine (893–902)

Consort (Nyōgo): Sugawara no Hiroko/Enshi (菅原すがわら衍子), Sugawara no Michizane’s daughter

Consort (Nyōgo): Tachibana no Fusako (橘たちばな房子ふさこ, d. 893)

Court Attendant (Koui): Minamoto no Sadako (源みなもと貞子さだこ), Minamoto no Noboru’s daughter

  • Imperial Princess Ishi (依子よりこ内親王ないしんのう, 895–936)

Court Attendant (Koui): Princess Norihime (徳とく姫ひめ女王じょおう), Prince Tōyo’s daughter

  • Imperial Princess Fushi (孚まこと子こ内親王ないしんのう, d. 958)

Court Attendant (Koui): Fujiwara no Yasuko (藤原ふじわら保子やすこ), Fujiwara no Arizane’s daughter

  • Imperial Princess Kaishi (誨子内親王ないしんのう, 894–952), married to Imperial Prince Motoyoshi (son of Emperor Yōzei)
  • Imperial Princess Kishi (季子としこ内親王ないしんのう, d. 979)

Court Attendant (Koui): Minamoto no Hisako (源みなもと久子ひさこ)

Court Attendant (Koui): Fujiwara no Shizuko (藤原ふじわら静子しずこ)

Lady-in-waiting: Fujiwara no Hōshi (藤原ふじわら褒子), Fujiwara no Tokihira’s daughter

  • Imperial Prince Masaakira (雅まさ明あきら親王しんのう, 920–929)
  • Imperial Prince Noriakira (載の明あきら親王しんのう)
  • Imperial Prince Yukiakira (行明ぎょうめい親王しんのう, 926–948)

Court lady: A daughter of Fujiwara no Tsugukage, Ise (伊勢いせ, 875/7 – c. 939)

  • prince (died young)

(from unknown women)

  • Imperial Prince Yukinaka (行くだり中ちゅう親王しんのう, d. 909)
  • Imperial Princess Seishi (成子なるこ内親王ないしんのう, d. 979)
  • Minamoto no Shinshi (源みなもと臣子しんし)

Ancestry

edit

Notes

edit
 
Japanese Imperial kamon — a stylized chrysanthemum blossom
  1. ^ a b Imperial Household Agency (Kunaichō): 宇多天皇うだてんのう (59)
  2. ^ Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1959). The Imperial House of Japan, pp. 67–68.
  3. ^ Brown, Delmer et al. (1979). Gukanshō, pp. 289–290; Varley, H. Paul. (1980). Jinnō Shōtōki, pp. 175–179; Titsingh, Isaac. (1834). Annales des empereurs du japon, pp. 125–129., p. 125, at Google Books
  4. ^ Brown, pp. 264; prior to Emperor Jōmei, the personal names of the emperors were very long and people did not generally use them. The number of characters in each name diminished after Jomei's reign.
  5. ^ Titsingh, p. 125; Brown, p. 289; Varley, 175.
  6. ^ Ponsonby-Fane, p. 8.
  7. ^ Varley, p. 175.
  8. ^ a b Brown, p. 289.
  9. ^ Kitagawa, Hiroshi et al. (1975). The Tale of the Heike, p. 503.
  10. ^ Brown, p. 289; Varley, p. 44; a distinct act of senso is unrecognized prior to Emperor Tenji; and all sovereigns except Jitō, Yōzei, Go-Toba, and Fushimi have senso and sokui in the same year until the reign of Emperor Go-Murakami.
  11. ^ a b Titsingh, p. 126.
  12. ^ Titsingh, p. 127.
  13. ^ a b c d Borgen, Robert (1994). Sugawara no Michizane and the Early Heian Court. University of Hawaii Press. pp. 201–216. ISBN 978-0-8248-1590-5.
  14. ^ Kitagawa, H. (1975). The Tale of the Heike, p. 222.
  15. ^ a b c d e Brown, p. 290.
  16. ^ Compare Precepts of Tokugawa Ieyasu
  17. ^ Brown, p. 295; Varley, p. 179.
  18. ^ Ponsonby-Fane, p. 420.
  19. ^ The "Seven Imperial Tombs" at Ryoan-ji are the burial places of Uda, Kazan, Ichijō, Go-Suzaku, Go-Reizei, Go-Sanjō, and Horikawa.
  20. ^ Moscher, Gouverneur. (1978). Kyoto: A Contemplative Guide, pp. 277–278.
  21. ^ Furugosho: Kugyō of Uda-tennō.
  22. ^ Titsingh, p. 125.
  23. ^ "Genealogy". Reichsarchiv (in Japanese). April 30, 2010. Retrieved February 3, 2018.

References

edit

See also

edit
 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Emperor Uda.
Regnal titles
Preceded by Emperor of Japan:
Uda
887–897 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Emperor_Uda&oldid=1234080927"