Emperor Shirakawa

Quick Facts: Who was Emperor Shirakawa?

Subject:

Emperor Shirakawa

Known for:

72nd Emperor of Japan; pioneered the influential system of cloistered rule.

Born:

1053

Died:

1129

Century / Era:

1053s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Emperor Shirakawa (白河天皇, Shirakawa-tennō; 7 July 1053 – 24 July 1129) was the 72nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Shirakawa's reign lasted from 1073 to 1087. Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name (imina) was Sadahito-shinnō (貞仁親王). He was the eldest son of Emperor Go-Sanjō and Fujiwara Shigeko (藤原茂子). Shirakawa had one Empress and one Imperial Consort and nine Imperial sons and daughters.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Empress (chūgū): Fujiwara no Kenshi (藤原賢子)—Minamoto Akifusa‘s daughter, adopted by Fujiwara Morozane First Son: Imperial Prince Atsufumi (敦文親王; 1075–1077) First Daughter: Imperial Princess Yasuko (媞子内親王) later Ikuhomon’in (郁芳門院) Third Daughter: Imperial Princess Reishi (令子内親王) saigū Third Son: Imperial Prince Taruhito (善仁親王) later Emperor Horikawa Fourth Daughter: Imperial Princess Shinshi (禛子内親王; 1081–1156)—Tsuchimikado Saiin (土御門斎院) Consort (Nyogo): Fujiwara Michiko (藤原道子; 1042–1132), Fujiwara no Yoshinaga‘s daughter Second Daughter: Imperial Princess Yoshiko (善子内親王; 1076–1131) Rokkaku >saigū at the Grand Shrine of Ise Lady-in-Waiting: Fujiwara Tsuneko (藤原経子), Fujiwara no Tsunehira's daughter Second Son: Imperial Prince Priest Kakugyō (覚行法親王; 1075–1105) Court Lady: Minamoto Raishi (源師子; 1070–1148), Minamoto Akifusa's daughter Fourth Son: Imperial Prince Priest Kakuhō (覚法法親王; 1092–1153) Minamoto Yoriko (源頼子), Minamoto Yoritsune's daughter Fifth Daughter: Imperial Princess Kanshi (官子内親王; b.1090)—Saiin (斎院) Fujiwara Suesane's daughter Sixth Daughter: Imperial Princess Junko (恂子内親王; 1093-1132) Kasuga-dono (春日殿), Fujiwara Morokane's daughter Fifth Son: Imperial Prince Priest Shōe (聖恵法親王; 1094–1137) Minamoto Masanaga's daughter Gyōkei (行慶; 1101–1165) Bizen-dono (備前), Minamoto Arimune's daughter Engyō (円行, b.1128) Minamoto Akifusa's daughter Josho (静證) Gion Nyōgo (祇園女御) Gion Nyōgo‘s younger sister Rō-no-Kata (廊御方), Fujiwara Michisue's daughter Kamo Nyōgo (賀茂女御, 1070 - 1148), Kamo Shigesuke's daughter Kamo Nyōgo‘s younger sister, Kamo Shigesuke's daughter He was the first emperor to ostensibly retire to a monastery, but in fact continue to exert considerable influence over his successor. This process would become known as cloistered rule. When he was very young, his relations with his father were very cold but loving and in 1068, when his father was enthroned, he was proclaimed a shinnō (Imperial Prince), becoming Imperial Prince Sadahito. In 1069, he became Crown Prince and in due course, he became emperor at the age of 19. January 18, 1073 (Enkyū 4, on the 8th day of the 12th month): In the 5th year of Emperor Go-Sanjō-tennō's reign (桓武天皇六年), the emperor abdicated; and the succession (‘‘senso’’) was received by his son.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Shortly thereafter, Emperor Shirakawa is said to have acceded to the throne (‘‘sokui’’). A kampaku was put in place, but Shirakawa attempted to rule directly, like his father. He attempted to regulate the shōen (manor) system, working to weaken the influence of the sekkan lines. 1074 (Jōhō 1, 1st month): Dainagon Minamoto- no Takakune asked to be relieved of his duties because of his age. He was 71, and he wanted to retire to Uji.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1053: Birth of Emperor Shirakawa — 72nd Emperor of Japan; pioneered the influential system of cloistered rule.
2. 1068: 1068 Milestone — When he was very young, his relations with his father were very cold but loving and in 1068, when his father was enthroned, he was proclaimed a shinnō (Imperial Prince), becoming Imperial Prince Sadahito.
3. 1069: 1069 Milestone — In 1069, he became Crown Prince and in due course, he became emperor at the age of 19.
4. 1073: 1073 Milestone — Shirakawa's reign lasted from 1073 to 1087.
5. 1074: 1074 Milestone — 1074 (Jōhō 1, 1st month): Dainagon Minamoto- no Takakune asked to be relieved of his duties because of his age.
6. 1075: 1075 Milestone — Empress (chūgū): Fujiwara no Kenshi (藤原賢子)—Minamoto Akifusa‘s daughter, adopted by Fujiwara Morozane First Son: Imperial Prince Atsufumi (敦文親王; 1075–1077) First Daughter: Imperial Princess Yasuko (媞子内親王) later Ikuhomon’in (郁芳門院) Third Daughter: Imperial Princess Reishi (令子内親王) saigū Third Son: Imperial Prince Taruhito (善仁親王) later Emperor Horikawa Fourth Daughter: Imperial Princess Shinshi (禛子内親王; 1081–1156)—Tsuchimikado Saiin (土御門斎院) Consort (Nyogo): Fujiwara Michiko (藤原道子; 1042–1132), Fujiwara no Yoshinaga‘s daughter Second Daughter: Imperial Princess Yoshiko (善子内親王; 1076–1131) Rokkaku >saigū at the Grand Shrine of Ise Lady-in-Waiting: Fujiwara Tsuneko (藤原経子), Fujiwara no Tsunehira's daughter Second Son: Imperial Prince Priest Kakugyō (覚行法親王; 1075–1105) Court Lady: Minamoto Raishi (源師子; 1070–1148), Minamoto Akifusa's daughter Fourth Son: Imperial Prince Priest Kakuhō (覚法法親王; 1092–1153) Minamoto Yoriko (源頼子), Minamoto Yoritsune's daughter Fifth Daughter: Imperial Princess Kanshi (官子内親王; b.
7. 1090: 1090 Milestone — 1090)—Saiin (斎院) Fujiwara Suesane's daughter Sixth Daughter: Imperial Princess Junko (恂子内親王; 1093-1132) Kasuga-dono (春日殿), Fujiwara Morokane's daughter Fifth Son: Imperial Prince Priest Shōe (聖恵法親王; 1094–1137) Minamoto Masanaga's daughter Gyōkei (行慶; 1101–1165) Bizen-dono (備前), Minamoto Arimune's daughter Engyō (円行, b.
8. 1128: 1128 Milestone — 1128) Minamoto Akifusa's daughter Josho (静證) Gion Nyōgo (祇園女御) Gion Nyōgo‘s younger sister Rō-no-Kata (廊御方), Fujiwara Michisue's daughter Kamo Nyōgo (賀茂女御, 1070 - 1148), Kamo Shigesuke's daughter Kamo Nyōgo‘s younger sister, Kamo Shigesuke's daughter He was the first emperor to ostensibly retire to a monastery, but in fact continue to exert considerable influence over his successor.
9. 1129: Passing & Historical Legacy — Emperor Shirakawa passed away on 1129, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Emperor Shirakawa

True or False: “Emperor Shirakawa was the first emperor to establish a permanent, powerful bureaucracy that lasted for centuries after his reign.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While he pioneered cloistered rule, the enduring bureaucratic structure was more complex and evolved over time; it was not solely established by him.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Emperor Shirakawa