Emperor Kōnin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Emperor Kōnin光仁天皇 |
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| Emperor of Japan | |||||
| Reign | 770–781 | ||||
| Enthronement | October 23, 770 | ||||
| Predecessor | Shōtoku | ||||
| Successor | Kanmu | ||||
| Born | Shirakabe (白壁) July 18, 708 |
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| Died | January 11, 782 (aged 73) Heijō-kyō (Nara) |
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| Burial | Tahara no higashi no misasagi (田原東陵) (Nara) | ||||
| Spouse | Inoe | ||||
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| House | Yamato | ||||
| Father | Prince Shiki | ||||
| Mother | Ki no Tochihime | ||||
Emperor Kōnin (光仁天皇, Kōnin-tennō, November 18, 708 – January 11, 782) was the 49th emperor of Japan. He ruled from 770 to 781.
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Emperor Kōnin's Story
Emperor Kōnin's birth name was Shirakabe. He was the son of Prince Shiki and the grandson of Emperor Tenji. At first, he was not expected to become emperor. The throne was held by another branch of the family, from Emperor Tenmu.
Kōnin married Imperial Princess Ikami. She was a daughter of Emperor Shōmu. They had a daughter and a son together.
After his sister-in-law, Empress Shōtoku, passed away, Kōnin was chosen as her successor. Important people at court said the empress had named him as her heir in a letter. Before this, Kōnin was seen as a calm person who didn't want political power.
Emperor Kōnin had five wives and seven children. His tomb is a special place where he is honored. It is called the Tahara no Higashi Imperial Mausoleum in Nara, Nara.
Important Dates in Kōnin's Life
- September 8, 769: Empress Shōtoku passed away. She was said to have named Prince Shirakabe as her heir.
- August 28, 770: Kōnin officially became the new emperor. He was 62 years old.
- October 23, 770: Emperor Kōnin had a formal ceremony to take the throne. This is called sokui. The name of the era also changed to Hōki on this day.
- 781: The emperor decided to step down from the throne. His son Yamabe became the next emperor, known as Emperor Kanmu. Emperor Kōnin had ruled for 11 years.
- 781: Kōnin passed away at the age of 73.
Eras During Kōnin's Reign
The years of an emperor's rule are often known by special era names, called nengō.
Emperor Kōnin's Achievements
Emperor Kōnin worked hard to fix the government's money problems. He also tried to improve how the government was run. These things had become a bit messy during the rule of Empress Kōken.
Political Changes and Successors
Soon after Kōnin became emperor in 770, he made his wife, Imperial Princess Inoe, the empress. The next year, he named their son, Imperial Prince Osabe, as the crown prince. Osabe was a grandson of Emperor Shōmu.
However, in 772, Osabe lost his title as crown prince. Instead, Imperial Prince Yamabe, who was Kōnin's son with another woman, was named the new heir. Yamabe later became Emperor Kanmu.
According to an old Japanese history book called the Shoku Nihongi, here's what happened: In 772, Empress Inoe was accused of trying to harm her husband with curses. Emperor Kōnin removed her from her position as empress. A few months later, her son Osabe also lost his crown prince status.
In 773, both Inoe and Osabe were accused of causing the death of Imperial Princess Naniwa, Kōnin's sister, through curses. Because of these accusations, they lost their royal titles. They were kept in a house in Yamato Province and both passed away two years later on the same day, May 29, 775.
Prince Yamabe's mother was Takano no Niigasa. Her family did not have much political power. So, it was unlikely that Yamabe would become heir without Osabe being removed.
Today, many historians believe that the accusations against Inoe and Osabe were part of a plan. This plan was likely made to remove Osabe from the line of succession. Some think they might have even been killed. A powerful person named Fujiwara no Momokawa is often thought to be involved.
Later, during the end of Kōnin's rule and the start of Kanmu's rule, there were many natural disasters. People believed these disasters were caused by the spirits of those who had suffered in political conflicts, like Inoe and Osabe.
In 800, during Emperor Kanmu's reign, Princess Inoe was given back her title as Empress of Kōnin. Several shrines and temples were also built to honor those who had suffered. One of these is Kamigoryō Shrine.
Important Officials at Court
Kugyō was a special term for the most powerful men who worked for the Emperor of Japan. This group was usually very small, with only three or four men at a time. These men were often from important families. Their experience helped them reach the highest levels of government.
During Emperor Kōnin's reign, some of these top officials included:
- Sadaijin, Fujiwara no Nagate (766–771)
- Udaijin, Ōnakatomi Kiyomaro (771–781)
- Naidaijin, Fujiwara no Yoshitsugu (771–777)
- Dainagon, Fun'ya no Ōchi (771–777)
- Sangi, Fujiwara no Momokawa (732–779)
Family of Emperor Kōnin
Emperor Kōnin had several wives and children.
- Empress (later removed): Imperial Princess Inoe/Ikami. She was the daughter of Emperor Shōmu.
- Imperial Prince Osabe (761–775). He was the Crown Prince but was later removed.
- Imperial Princess Sakahito. She served at Ise Shrine and later married Emperor Kanmu.
- Wife (Hi): Princess Owari.
- Imperial Prince Hieda (751–781).
- Wife (Bunin): Takano no Niigasa.
- Imperial Princess Noto (733–781).
- Imperial Prince Yamabe, who later became Emperor Kanmu.
- Imperial Prince Sawara. He was the Crown Prince but was later removed.
- Court lady: Agatanushi no Shimahime.
- Imperial Princess Minuma (died 810).
See also
| Regnal titles | ||
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| Preceded by Empress Shōtoku |
Emperor of Japan: Kōnin 770–781 |
Succeeded by Emperor Kanmu |
