Emperor Sakuramachi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Emperor Sakuramachi 桜町天皇
Emperor of Japan
Reign	13 April 1735 – 9 June 1747
Predecessor	Nakamikado
Successor	Momozono
Shōguns	See list Tokugawa Yoshimune (1735-1745) Tokugawa Ieshige (1745-1747)
Born	Teruhito (昭仁) (1720-02-08)8 February 1720 Kyoto, Tokugawa shogunate
Died	28 May 1750(1750-05-28) (aged 30) Kyoto, Tokugawa shogunate
Burial	Tsuki no wa no misasagi, Kyoto
Spouse	Nijō Ieko
Issue	Princess Sakariko Empress Go-Sakuramachi Emperor Momozono
Posthumous name Tsuigō: Emperor Sakuramachi (桜町院 or 桜町天皇)
House	Imperial House of Japan
Father	Emperor Nakamikado
Mother	Konoe Hisako

Teruhito (Japanese: 昭仁, 8 February 1720 – 28 May 1750), known after his death as Emperor Sakuramachi (桜町天皇, Sakuramachi-tennō), was the 115th emperor of Japan. He became Emperor in 1735 and ruled until 1747, when he stepped down. During his time, the Tokugawa shogunate (a military government) held most of the power in Japan.

The Emperor's job was mostly religious, with limited duties. However, Emperor Sakuramachi was special. He got permission from the Shōgun to bring back some important Imperial ceremonies. For example, the Harvest Festival, which hadn't been performed for over 250 years, was allowed again. Emperor Sakuramachi had one wife and one concubine. They had four children together. His first son became Emperor Momozono, and his second daughter later became Empress Go-Sakuramachi. Sakuramachi passed away on May 28, 1750, about three years after he retired.

Emperor Sakuramachi's Life Story

Becoming Emperor: Early Years

Before he became Emperor, his personal name was Teruhito (昭仁). Teruhito was born on February 8, 1720. He was the first son of Emperor Nakamikado. Some people even believed he was a reincarnation of Prince Shōtoku, a famous historical figure.

Teruhito and his family lived in the Dairi part of the Heian Palace in Kyoto. During his early life, a big event happened: Edo (modern-day Tokyo) became the world's largest city in 1721. It had a population of 1.1 million people! On July 17, 1728, Teruhito was named crown prince. He was given the title Waka-no-miya (若宮).

Another important event during his youth was the Kyōhō famine in 1732–33. This was a terrible disaster caused by swarms of locusts. These insects destroyed crops in farming areas near the inland sea, leading to a severe food shortage.

Ruling Japan: Sakuramachi's Reign

Prince Teruhito became Emperor on April 13, 1735. His father stepped down, and Teruhito took the throne. To mark this big change, the name of the era was changed from Kyōhō to Genbun.

Even though he was called Emperor, his power was mostly symbolic. The shoguns of the Tokugawa family were the real rulers of Japan. However, with the help of Tokugawa Yoshimune, Emperor Sakuramachi worked to bring back some old Imperial ceremonies.

Two of the first ceremonies brought back were rice offerings. The Daijōsai (大嘗祭) is a special rice offering made by a newly crowned Emperor. The Shinjōsai (新嘗祭) is a regular rice offering made by the Emperor. In 1738, the Emperor performed special Shinto rituals called Daijō-e (大嘗會).

A very important ceremony took place on January 11, 1741. This was the Niiname-no-Matsuri (Harvest Festival). This specific ceremony had not been held for 280 years! The Toyonoakari-no-sechiye ceremonies were also performed the next day.

The era name changed again to Kanpō in February 1741. This was because people believed that the 58th year of the Chinese calendar cycle brought big changes. In 1742, a major flood caused a lot of damage in several provinces. In Heian-kyō (Kyoto), the Sanjo Bridge was even washed away by the powerful storm.

Towards the end of the Kanpō era, a comet was seen in the sky. Experts later agreed it was likely the C/1743 X1. The fourth and final era during Sakuramachi's reign began in 1744. It was called Enkyō, meaning "Becoming Prolonged." This new era marked the start of a new 60-year cycle in the Chinese zodiac.

The last two big events during Sakuramachi's reign happened in 1745. First, Tokugawa Ieshige became the new shogun. Second, a market fair was set up for the first time in the capital at Hirano Shrine. Also, a huge fire swept through the city of Edo.

Life After the Throne: Retired Emperor

Emperor Sakuramachi stepped down from the throne on June 9, 1747. His son, Prince Toohito, became the new ruler, Emperor Momozono. When Sakuramachi retired, he took the title of Daijō Tennō (Retired Emperor). The era name was changed to Kan'en, meaning "Prolonging Lenience."

During his time as a retired Emperor, a strong storm hit Kyoto on October 7, 1749. The storm caused damage, including the burning of the keep (main tower) of Nijō Castle after it was struck by lightning.

Emperor Sakuramachi passed away on May 28, 1750. This was almost three years after he retired. His spirit (kami) is honored in an Imperial tomb called Tsuki no wa no misasagi. This tomb is located at Sennyū-ji in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto. Many other Emperors and Empresses are also buried there, including his parents, children, and grandchildren.

Emperor Sakuramachi's Family

Emperor Sakuramachi had three children with his wife and a concubine.

His Wife

His Concubine

His Children

Emperor Sakuramachi had a total of 3 children.

See also

• Emperor of Japan
• List of Emperors of Japan
• Empress Go-Sakuramachi