Emperor Saga
Emperor Saga | |||||
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Emperor of Japan | |||||
Reign | May 18, 809 – May 29, 823 | ||||
Enthronement | May 30, 809 | ||||
Predecessor | Heizei | ||||
Successor | Junna | ||||
Born | Kamino ( October 3, 784 | ||||
Died | August 24, 842 | (aged 57)||||
Burial | |||||
Spouse | Tachibana no Kachiko | ||||
Issue more... | |||||
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House | Yamato | ||||
Father | Emperor Kanmu | ||||
Mother | Fujiwara no Otomuro |
Emperor Saga (
Traditional narrative[edit]
Saga was the second son of Emperor Kanmu and Fujiwara no Otomuro.[4][5] His personal name was Kamino (
Saga is traditionally venerated at his tomb; the Imperial Household Agency designates Saganoyamanoe no Misasagi (
Events of Saga's life[edit]
- 806 Saga became the crown prince at age 21.
- June 17, 809[8] (Daidō 4, 1st day of the 4th month[9]): In the 4th year of Emperor Heizei's reign, he fell ill and abdicated; and the succession (senso) was received by Kanmu's second son Saga, the eldest son having become a Buddhist priest. Shortly thereafter, Emperor Saga is said to have acceded to the throne (sokui).[10]
Soon after his enthronement, Saga himself took ill. At the time the retired Heizei had quarreled with his brother over the ideal location of the court, the latter preferring the Heian capital, while the former was convinced that a shift back to the Nara plain was necessary, and Heizei, exploiting Saga's weakened health, seized the opportunity to foment a rebellion, known historically as the Kusuko Incident; however, forces loyal to Emperor Saga, led by taishōgun Sakanoue no Tamuramaro, quickly defeated the Heizei rebels which thus limited the adverse consequences which would have followed any broader conflict.[11] This same Tamuramaro is remembered in Aomori's annual Nebuta Matsuri which feature a number of gigantic, specially-constructed, illuminated paper floats. These great lantern-structures are colorfully painted with mythical figures; and teams of men carry them through the streets as crowds shout encouragement. This early ninth century military leader is commemorated in this way because he is said to have ordered huge illuminated lanterns to be placed at the top of hills; and when the curious Emishi approached these bright lights to investigate, they were captured and subdued by Tamuramaro's men.[12]
Eras of Saga's reign[edit]
The years of Saga's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name (nengō).[15]
Legacy[edit]
In ancient Japan, there were four noble clans, the Gempeitōkitsu (
Emperor Saga played an important role as a stalwart supporter of the Buddhist monk Kūkai. The emperor helped Kūkai to establish the Shingon School of Buddhism by granting him Tō-ji Temple in the capital Heian-kyō (present-day Kyoto).[17]
Daikaku-ji[edit]
Daikaku-ji (
The Saga Go-ryū school of ikebana has its headquarters in the temple and is named in his honour.
Kugyō[edit]
Kugyō (
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 Saga's reign (809–823), this kugyō included:
- Sadaijin
- Udaijin, Fujiwara no Uchimaro (
藤原 内 麿 ), 806–812.[5] - Udaijin, Fujiwara no Sonohito (
藤原 園 人 ), 812–818.[5] - Udaijin, Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu (
藤原 冬 嗣), 821–825.[5] - Udaijin, Tachibana no Ujikimi.[20]
- Naidaijin
- Dainagon
Consorts and children[edit]
Saga had 49 children with at least 30 different women. Many of the children received the surname Minamoto, thereby removing them from royal succession.
- Empress: Tachibana no Kachiko (
橘 嘉 智子 ), also known as Empress Danrin (檀林 皇后 , Danrin-kōgō), Tachibana no Kiyotomo's daughter.[21]- Second Son: Imperial Prince Masara (
正良 親王 ) later Emperor Ninmyō - Imperial Princess Seishi (
正子 内親王 ; 810–879), married to Emperor Junna - Imperial Princess Hideko (
秀子 内親王 ; d. 850) - Imperial Prince Hidera (
秀 良 親王 ; 817–895) - Imperial Princess Toshiko (
俊子 内親王 ; d. 826) - Fifth Daughter: Imperial Princess Yoshiko (
芳子 内親王 ; d. 836) - Imperial Princess Shigeko (
繁子 内親王 ; d. 865)
- Second Son: Imperial Prince Masara (
- Hi (deposed): Imperial Princess Takatsu (
高津 内親王 ; d. 841), Emperor Kanmu’s daughter- Second Prince: Imperial Prince Nariyoshi (
業 良 親王 ; d. 868) - Imperial Princess Nariko (
業 子 内親王 ; d. 815)
- Second Prince: Imperial Prince Nariyoshi (
- Hi: Tajihi no Takako (
多治比 高子 ; 787–825), Tajihi no Ujimori's daughter
- Bunin: Fujiwara no Onatsu (
藤原 緒 夏 ; d. 855), Fujiwara no Uchimaro's daughter
- Court lady (Naishi-no-kami): Kudara no Kyomyō (
百済 王 慶 命 ; d. 849), Kudara no Kyōshun's daughter- Minamoto no Yoshihime (
源 善 姫 ; b. 814) - Minamoto no Sadamu (
源 定 ; 815–863) - Minamoto no Wakahime (
源 若 姫 ) - Minamoto no Shizumu (
源 鎮; 824–881)
- Minamoto no Yoshihime (
- Nyōgo: Kudara no Kimyō (
百済 貴命 ; d. 851), Kudara no Shuntetsu's daughter- Imperial Prince Motora (
基良 親王 ; d. 831) - Fourth Son: Imperial Prince Tadara (
忠良 親王 ; 819–876) - Imperial Princess Motoko (
基子 内親王 ; d. 831)
- Imperial Prince Motora (
- Nyōgo: Ōhara no Kiyoko (
大原 浄子 ; d. 841), Ōhara no Ietsugu's daughter- Tenth Daughter: Imperial Princess Ninshi (
仁子 内親王 ; d. 889), 15th Saiō in Ise Shrine 809–823
- Tenth Daughter: Imperial Princess Ninshi (
- Koui: Iidaka no Yakatoji (
飯高 宅 刀自 ), Iidaka Gakuashi- Minamoto no Tokiwa (
源 常 ; 812–854) - Minamoto no Akira (
源 明 ; 814–852/853)
- Minamoto no Tokiwa (
- Koui: Akishino no Koko (
秋篠 高子 /康子 ), Akishino no Yasuhito's daughter- Minamoto no Kiyoshi (
源 清 )
- Minamoto no Kiyoshi (
- Koui: Yamada no Chikako (
山田 近子 )- Minamoto no Hiraku(?) (
源 啓 ; 829–869) - Minamoto no Mituhime (
源 密 姫 )
- Minamoto no Hiraku(?) (
- Nyōgo: Princess Katano (
交野 女王 ), Prince Yamaguchi's daughter- Eighth Daughter: Imperial Princess Uchiko (
有 智子 内親王 ; 807–847), 1st Saiin in Kamo Shrine 810–831
- Eighth Daughter: Imperial Princess Uchiko (
- Court lady: Takashina no Kawako (
高階 河 子 ), Takashina no Kiyoshina's daughter- Imperial Princess Sōshi (
宗子 内親王 ; d. 854)
- Imperial Princess Sōshi (
- Court lady: Hiroi no Otona's daughter
- Seventh Son: Minamoto no Makoto (
源信 )
- Seventh Son: Minamoto no Makoto (
- Court lady: Fuse no Musashiko (
布勢 武蔵 子 )- Minamoto no Sadahime (
源 貞 姫 ; 810–880) - Minamoto no Hashihime (
源 端 姫 )
- Minamoto no Sadahime (
- Court lady: Kamitsukeno clan’s daughter
- Minamoto no Hiromu (
源 弘 ; 812–863)
- Minamoto no Hiromu (
- Court lady: Abe no Yanatsu's daughter
- Minamoto no Yutaka (
源 寛 ; 813–876)
- Minamoto no Yutaka (
- Court lady: Kasa no Tsugiko (
笠 継子 ), Kasa no Nakamori's daughter- Minamoto no Ikeru (
源 生 ; 821–872)
- Minamoto no Ikeru (
- Court lady: Awata clan's daughter
- Minamoto no Yasushi (
源 安 ; 822–853)
- Minamoto no Yasushi (
- Court lady: Ōhara no Matako (
大原 全子 ), Ōhara no Mamuro's daughter- Minamoto no Tōru (
源 融 ), Sadaijin - Minamoto no Tsutomu (
源 勤 ; 824–881) - Minamoto no Mitsuhime (
源 盈 姫 )
- Minamoto no Tōru (
- Court lady: Ki clan's daughter
- Minamoto no Sarahime (
源 更 姫 )
- Minamoto no Sarahime (
- Court lady: Kura no Kageko (
内蔵 影 子 )- Minamoto no Kamihime (
源 神 姫 ) - Minamoto no Katahime (
源 容 姫 ) - Minamoto no Agahime (
源 吾 姫 )
- Minamoto no Kamihime (
- Court lady: Kannabi no Iseko (
甘南備 伊勢子 )- Minamoto no Koehime (
源 声 姫 )
- Minamoto no Koehime (
- Court lady: Fun'ya no Fumiko (
文 屋 文子 ), Fun'ya no Kugamaro's daughter- Imperial Princess Junshi (
純子 内親王 ; d. 863) - Imperial Princess Seishi (
斉子 内親王 ; d. 853), married to Prince Fujii (son of Emperor Kanmu) - Prince Atsushi (
淳 王 )
- Imperial Princess Junshi (
- Court lady: Tanaka clan's daughter
- Minamoto no Sumu(?) (
源 澄 )
- Minamoto no Sumu(?) (
- Court lady: Koreyoshi no Sadamichi's daughter
- Minamoto no Masaru (
源 勝 )
- Minamoto no Masaru (
- Court lady: Ōnakatomi no Mineko (
大中 臣 峯子 )
- Court lady: Tachibana no Haruko (
橘 春子 )
- Court lady: Nagaoka no Okanari's daughter
- Minamoto no Sakashi(?) (
源 賢 )
- Minamoto no Sakashi(?) (
- Court lady (Nyoju): Taima no Osadamaro's daughter
- Minamoto no Kiyohime (
源 潔 姫 ; 810–856), married to Fujiwara no Yoshifusa - Minamoto no Matahime (
源 全 姫 ; 812–882), Naishi-no-kami (尚侍 )
- Minamoto no Kiyohime (
- Lady-in-waiting: Sugawara Kanshi (
菅原 閑子)
- (from unknown women)
- Minamoto no Tsugu (?) (
源 継 ) - Minamoto no Yoshihime (
源 良 姫 ) - Minamoto no Toshihime (
源 年 姫 )
- Minamoto no Tsugu (?) (
Ancestry[edit]
Ancestors of Emperor Saga | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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See also[edit]
Notes[edit]
- ^ a b Emperor Saga, Saganoyamanoe Imperial Mausoleum, Imperial Household Agency
- ^ Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1959). The Imperial House of Japan, pp. 63–64.
- ^ Brown and Ishida, pp. 280–282; Varley, H. Paul. (1980). Jinnō Shōtōki, p. 151–163; Titsingh, Isaac. (1834). Annales des empereurs du Japon, pp. 97–102., p. 97, at Google Books
- ^ Varley, p. 151.
- ^ a b c d Brown and Ishida, p. 280.
- ^ Titsingh, p. 96; Brown and Ishida, p. 280.
- ^ Brown and Ishida, p. 281
- ^ Julian dates derived from NengoCalc
- ^
大同 四 年 五 月 一 日 - ^ Titsingh, p. 96; Brown and Ishida, p. 280; 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.
- ^ Titsingh, p. 98; Varley, p. 151.
- ^ Boroff, Nicholas. National Geographic Traveler Japan, p. 156.
- ^
承 和 九 年 七 月 十 五 日 - ^ Brown and Ishida, p. 282; Varley, p. 163.
- ^ Titsingh, p. 97.
- ^ Bargen, Doris G. (2015). Mapping Courtship and Kinship in Classical Japan: The Tale of Genji and Its Predecessors. University of Hawaii Press. p. 230. ISBN 978-0-8248-5733-2.
he has often been seen as a historic model for Genji
- ^ "About To-ji Temple". www.toji.or.jp. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
- ^ Young and Young, The Art of the Japanese Garden, pg. 72
- ^ Furugosho: kugyō of Saga-tennō
- ^ Ponsonby-Fane, p. 319.
- ^ Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1959). The Imperial House of Japan, pp. 318–319.
- ^ "Genealogy". Reichsarchiv (in Japanese). April 30, 2010. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
References[edit]
- Giesen, Walter; Beck, Vera; Eisenschmid, Rainer (2004). Japan. Baedeker. ISBN 978-3-87504-432-4.
- Imperial Household Agency (2004).
嵯峨天皇 嵯峨 山上 [Emperor Saga, Saganoyamanoe Imperial Mausoleum] (in Japanese). Retrieved February 4, 2011. - Brown, Delmer M.; Ishida, Ichirō (1979). The Future and the Past (a translation and study of the Gukanshō, an interpretive history of Japan written in 1219). Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-03460-0. OCLC 251325323.
- Richard Arthur Brabazon Ponsonby-Fane (1959). The Imperial House of Japan. Ponsonby Memorial Society.
- Rin-siyo, Siyun-zai (1834). Annales des empereurs du Japon. Oriental Translation Fund.
- Chikafuza, Kitabatake (1980). A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns: Jinnō Shōtōki of Kitabatake Chikafusa. Columbia University Press. ISBN 978-0-231-04940-5.
External links[edit]
- Another photo of Emperor Saga's mausoleum Archived September 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine