Emperor Higashiyama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Emperor Higashiyama東山天皇 |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
|||||
| Emperor of Japan | |||||
| Reign | 2 May 1687 – 27 July 1709 | ||||
| Predecessor | Reigen | ||||
| Successor | Nakamikado | ||||
| Shōguns |
See list
Tokugawa Tsunayoshi
Tokugawa Ienobu |
||||
| Born | Asahito (朝仁) 21 October 1675 Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Tokugawa shogunate |
||||
| Died | 16 January 1710 (aged 34) Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Tokugawa shogunate |
||||
| Burial | Tsuki no wa no misasagi, Kyoto | ||||
| Spouse |
Yukiko
(m. 1697) |
||||
| Issue among others... |
|
||||
|
|||||
| House | Imperial House of Japan | ||||
| Father | Emperor Reigen | ||||
| Mother | Matsuki Muneko [ja] (biological) Takatsukasa Fusako (adoptive) |
||||
Asahito (Japanese: 朝仁), later known as Emperor Higashiyama (東山天皇, Higashiyama-tennō, 21 October 1675 – 16 January 1710), was the 113th emperor of Japan. He followed the traditional order of succession. Emperor Higashiyama ruled from 1687 until he stepped down in 1709. This time was part of the Genroku era during the Edo period. Japan enjoyed a long period of peace and quiet before his rule. This led to a stable economy. During his reign, arts like theater and architecture became very popular.
Contents
Life of Emperor Higashiyama
Early Years and Becoming Crown Prince
Before he became emperor, his personal name was Asahito or Tomohito. Prince Tomohito was born on October 21, 1675. He was the fifth son of Emperor Reigen. His birth mother was a lady-in-waiting named Matsuki Muneko. Empress Takatsukasa Fusako adopted Prince Tomohito. She was the chief consort. The Imperial family lived in the Dairi part of the Heian Palace.
During his childhood, Japan faced some challenges. A big flood hit Edo, and a severe famine affected Kyoto. There was also a large fire in Edo, known as the Great Tenna Fire. The Shingon Buddhist temple Gokoku-ji was founded in Edo around this time. It is still a famous site in Tokyo today.
Prince Tomohito was named Crown prince in 1682. He received the title Go-no-miya. For the first time in over 300 years, a special ceremony was held for this event. In 1684, a fire destroyed the Kyoto Imperial Palace. It took a year to rebuild. Former-Emperor Go-Sai, his uncle, passed away in 1685. People also saw a large comet in the night sky.
Emperor Higashiyama's Reign
Prince Tomohito became Emperor on May 2, 1687. His father decided to step down. To mark this important event, the era name changed from Jōkyō to Genroku. Even though he was the Emperor, his role was mostly ceremonial. The shoguns of the Tokugawa family held the real power in Japan.
At first, his father, Emperor Reigen, continued to guide decisions. This was like the "Cloistered Emperor" system from the Heian period. Emperor Higashiyama was known for his kind nature. This helped improve relations with the Shogun. Because of this better relationship, the Imperial family received more property. Repairs were also made to important Imperial burial sites. Emperor Reigen later retired and became the last "Cloistered Emperor" of Japan. In 1688, an ancient Shinto ceremony called Daijō-sai was brought back. This special ritual is performed only once by an emperor during their enthronement.
- 1688 (Genroku gannen): The Tokugawa shogunate updated rules for funerals and mourning.
- September 16, 1689 (Genroku 2): A German doctor named Engelbert Kaempfer arrived in Japan. Japan had a policy called sakoku, which limited contact with foreigners. Kaempfer had to pretend to be Dutch. His writings gave valuable insights into Japan during this time.
- 1695 (Genroku 8): New Genroku coins began to be made.
- 1695 (Genroku 8): The first kennel for stray dogs was built in Edo. Because of this, Tokugawa Tsunayoshi was sometimes called the "Dog Shōgun."
- 1697 (Genroku 10): A new official map of Japan was created.
- 1697 (Genroku 10): A big fire happened in Edo.
- 1697 (Genroku 11): Another large fire struck Edo. A new building was constructed at the Kan'ei-ji temple.
- 1703 (Genroku 15): The Akō Incident occurred. A group of loyal samurai sought justice for their master. This event was very significant.
- 1703 (Genroku 16): The Great Genroku earthquake hit Edo. Parts of the Shogun's castle collapsed. A huge fire then spread through the city. tsunamis also struck the coast. This caused a lot of damage and loss of life.
- October 28, 1707 (Hōei 4): A very strong earthquake caused great damage in Osaka.
- November 15, 1707 (Hōei 4): Mount Fuji erupted. Ash and cinders fell like rain in several provinces.
- 1708 (Hōei 5): New copper coins, called Hōei Tsubo, were introduced.
- 1708 (Hōei 5): A major fire broke out in Heian-kyō.
- 1708 (Hōei 5): An Italian missionary named Giovanni Sidotti landed in Yakushima. He was quickly arrested.
- 1709 (Hōei 6): Shōgun Tsunayoshi ordered repairs for Imperial burial sites.
- 1709 (Hōei 6): Tokugawa Ienobu, Tsunayoshi's nephew, became the 6th shōgun. Emperor Nakamikado also took the throne.
- July 27, 1709 (Hōei 6): Emperor Higashiyama stepped down. His son became the new emperor.
- January 16, 1710 (Hōei 6): Emperor Higashiyama passed away.
Emperor Higashiyama is buried in the Imperial mausoleum called Tsuki no wa no misasagi. This site is at Sennyū-ji in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto. Many other emperors and empresses are also buried there.
Eras During His Rule
The years of Emperor Higashiyama's rule are known by different era names or nengō. These eras help historians keep track of time.
His Family
Emperor Higashiyama had several children. His main wife was Princess Yukiko. Among his children were Emperor Nakamikado, who later became emperor, and Naohito, Prince Kan'in.
Emperor Higashiyama in Stories
Emperor Higashiyama appears as a character named Tomohito in the novel The Samurai's Wife by Laura Joh Rowland. In this story, he is first shown as a bit silly. Later, he is revealed to be planning a big change against the Tokugawa shogunate. However, his plan does not work out. He then accepts his life within the Imperial Palace.
See also
- Emperor of Japan
- List of Emperors of Japan
- Imperial cult
