Emperor Kazan Facts for Kids

Emperor Kazan (花山天皇, Kazan-tennō, November 29, 968 – March 17, 1008) was the 65th emperor of Japan. He ruled from 984 to 986. His time as emperor was short but full of interesting events. These included a political trick that led him to leave the throne and become a Buddhist monk.

Early Life and Family
Becoming Emperor
Key Events During His Reign
- A Tricky Abdication
- Life as a Monk and Pilgrimages
His Final Years and Burial
Important People in His Court
Time Periods of His Reign
Family and Children
- Consorts
- Children
See also

Early Life and Family

Before he became emperor, his personal name was Prince Morosada. He was the oldest son of Emperor Reizei. His mother was Fujiwara no Kaishi. She was the daughter of a powerful leader named Fujiwara no Koretada. Prince Morosada was also the brother of Emperor Sanjō.

Becoming Emperor

Prince Morosada was seventeen years old when he became emperor. This happened after Emperor En'yū stepped down.

October 6, 984: Emperor En'yū gave up his throne. Prince Morosada then became the new emperor, known as Emperor Kazan.

Key Events During His Reign

Emperor Kazan faced many challenges from the powerful Fujiwara clan. This family often tried to control the emperors.

A Tricky Abdication

Emperor Kazan, who was tricked into leaving the throne, on his way to become a Buddhist monk – woodblock print by Yoshitoshi Tsukioka (1839–1892).

When he was nineteen, Emperor Kazan was tricked into leaving the throne. A powerful Fujiwara leader, Fujiwara no Kaneie, told him that his grandson, Ichijō, already had the sacred treasures of the emperor. These treasures were symbols of imperial power. Kaneie said there was no reason for Kazan to keep ruling.

Under this pressure, Kazan agreed to step down. He went to the Gangyō-ji temple to become a Buddhist monk. Kaneie's son, Fujiwara no Michikane, went with him. Michikane was supposed to become a monk too. But when they arrived, Michikane said he wanted to see his parents one last time. He left and never came back. This left Emperor Kazan alone to become a monk.

986: Emperor Kazan officially stepped down. He moved to Gangyō-ji temple and became a Buddhist monk. His new name as a monk was Nyūkaku.
August 23, 986: After Kazan left the throne, Kaneie's grandson, Ichijō, became the 66th emperor.

Life as a Monk and Pilgrimages

As a monk, Nyūkaku (Emperor Kazan) went on many pilgrimages. He helped to restart the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage. This pilgrimage involves visiting 33 special places across western Japan. It was first started a long time ago by a monk named Tokudo Shonin.

Some historians believe that Kazan might not have been fully involved in restarting the pilgrimage because he was not feeling well at the time. They think Tokudo Shonin deserves most of the credit. It is also thought that living as a monk might have been difficult for Kazan.

His Final Years and Burial

Decorative emblems (kiri) of the Hosokawa clan. Emperor Kazan is buried near Ryōan-ji Temple.

Emperor Kazan died when he was 41 years old in the year 1008.

His grave is known. It is a special memorial Shinto shrine in Kyoto. The Imperial Household Agency looks after this site. It is called Kamiya no hotori no misasagi.

He is buried among the "Seven Imperial Tombs" at Ryōan-ji Temple in Kyoto. The mound for Emperor Kazan is called Kinugasa-yama. These tombs were made to look as they do today during a restoration in the 1800s.

Important People in His Court

During Emperor Kazan's reign, there were a few very powerful men at the court. They were called Kugyō. These were important officials who helped the emperor.

Some of the main Kugyō during Kazan's time included:

Kampaku and Daijō-daijin: Fujiwara no Yoritada
Sadaijin: Fujiwara no Kaneie

Time Periods of His Reign

The years of Emperor Kazan's reign are known by different era names or nengō:

Eikan (983–985)
Kanna (985–986)

Family and Children

Emperor Kazan had several consorts (wives) and children:

Consorts

Fujiwara no Shishi (969–985), daughter of Fujiwara no Tamemitsu
Fujiwara no Teishi (died 1035), daughter of Fujiwara no Yoritada
Fujiwara no Chōshi (971–989), daughter of Fujiwara no Asateru
Princess Enshi (972–998), daughter of Imperial Prince Tamehira

Children

Imperial Prince Kiyohito (around 998–1030)
Imperial Prince Akinori (998–1035)
Kakugen (1000–1065), a Buddhist monk
Shinkan (1001–1050), a Buddhist monk

Emperor Kazan facts for kids

Contents