was the 66th

emperor An emperor (from la, imperator, via fro, empereor) is a monarch, and usually the sovereignty, sovereign ruler of an empire or another type of imperial realm. Empress, the female equivalent, may indicate an emperor's wife (empress consort), ...

of Japan, Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'')
一条天皇 (66)
/ref> according to the traditional

order of succession An order of succession or right of succession is the line of individuals necessitated to hold a high office when it becomes vacated such as head of state or an honour such as a title of nobility.Chrysanthemum Throne The is the throne of the Emperor of Japan. The term also can refer to very specific seating, such as the throne in the Shishin-den at Kyoto Imperial Palace. Various other thrones or seats that are used by the Emperor during official functions ...

, his personal name (''

imina in modern times consist of a family name (surname) followed by a given name, in that order. Nevertheless, when a Japanese name is written in the Roman alphabet, ever since the Meiji era, the official policy has been to cater to Western expecta ...

'') was Kanehito''-shinnō'' (懐仁). Kanehito''-shinnō'' was the first son of Emperor En'yū and Fujiwara no Senshi, a daughter of Fujiwara no Kaneie. Since there are no documented siblings, it is supposed that he was an only child. Ichijō had five Empresses or Imperial consorts and five Imperial sons and daughters.

Events of Ichijō's life

His reign coincided with the culmination of

Heian period The is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. It followed the Nara period, beginning when the 50th emperor, Emperor Kanmu, moved the capital of Japan to Heian-kyō (modern Kyoto). means "peace" in Japanese ...

culture and the apex of the power of the

Fujiwara clan was a powerful family of imperial regents in Japan, descending from the Nakatomi clan and, as legend held, through them their ancestral god Ame-no-Koyane. The Fujiwara prospered since the ancient times and dominated the imperial court until ...

. He ascended to the throne after a period of political instability that began within the

after they successfully eliminated the

Minamoto clan was one of the surnames bestowed by the Emperors of Japan upon members of the imperial family who were excluded from the line of succession and demoted into the ranks of the nobility from 1192 to 1333. The practice was most prevalent during th ...

as a political rival. The internal power struggle that ensued within the Fujiwara saw the untimely ends of three emperors. Ichijō had been appointed

crown prince A crown prince or hereditary prince is the heir apparent to the throne in a royal or imperial monarchy. The female form of the title is crown princess, which may refer either to an heiress apparent or, especially in earlier times, to the wi ...

under

Emperor Kazan was the 65th emperor of Japan, Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 花山天皇 (65)/ref> according to the traditional order of succession. Kazan's reign spanned the years from 984 through 986. Biography Before his ascension to the Chry ...

in 984. Two years later, after Emperor Kazan abdicated in 986, Ichijō ascended to the throne at the age of six. The young Emperor Ichijō was under the influence of his uncle

Fujiwara no Michinaga was a Japanese statesman. The Fujiwara clan's control over Japan and its politics reached its zenith under his leadership. Early life Michinaga was born in Kyōto, the son of Kaneiye. Kaneiye had become Regent in 986, holding the position unt ...

from the start of his reign, though Michinaga's true ascent to political dominance did not begin until 995 after the deaths of his older brothers and the exile of his political rival and nephew, Korechika. These events took place during the Kanna era (see Japanese era name ''nengō'' 年号), after Emperor Kazan abdicated. The succession (''senso'') was received by a cousin, the son of his father's younger brother. * August 1, 986 (''Kanna 2, 23rd day of the 6th month''): Emperor Ichijō is said to have acceded to the throne (''sokui''). A son of Emperor Reizei, who was older than Ichijō, was appointed crown prince. Kaneie became the regent ('' Sesshō'') and effectively ruled the state. After Kaneie died in 990, his first son and Ichijō's uncle Fujiwara no Michitaka was appointed regent. * March 1, 991 ('' Shōryaku 2, 12th day of the 2nd month''): The former-Emperor En'yū died at the age of 33.Brown, p. 305. * 1008 (''

Kankō was a after '' Chōhō'' and before '' Chōwa.'' This period spanned the years from July 1004 through December 1012. The reigning emperors were and . Change of Era * 1004 : The era name was changed to mark an event or series of events. Th ...

5, 8th day of the 2nd month''): Kazan died at the age of 41.Brown, p. 306. * July 16, 1011 (''Kankō 8, 13th day of the 6th month''): In the 25th year of Emperor Ichijō's reign (一条天皇二十五年), the emperor abdicated; and the succession (''senso'') was received by his cousin. Shortly thereafter, Emperor Sanjō is said to have acceded to the throne (''sokui''). * July 19, 1011 (''Kankō 8, 16th day of the 6th month''): Emperor Ichijō takes tonsure as a Buddhist monk. * July 25, 1011 (''Kankō 8, 22nd day of the 6th month''): Emperor Ichijō died. The mother of the emperor had a large influence over the appointment of officials, "the emperor's officials controls matters of the state, as the imperial mother makes affairs of the court solely her own." Ichijō had two empress consorts. First was Teishi (or Fujiwara no Sadako), a daughter of Fujiwara no Michitaka. Second was Shōshi (or Akiko), a daughter of

, a younger brother of Michitaka. Most people thought it impossible to have two empress consorts, but Michinaga claimed that the empress held two separate titles, ''Chūgū'' and ''Kōgō'', which were different in principle and could therefore given to two different women. The courts of both empresses were known as centers of culture. Sei Shōnagon, author of ''

The Pillow Book is a book of observations and musings recorded by Sei Shōnagon during her time as court lady to Empress Consort Teishi during the 990s and early 1000s in Heian-period Japan. The book was completed in the year 1002. The work is a collection o ...

'', was a lady in waiting to Teishi.

Murasaki Shikibu was a Japanese novelist, poet and lady-in-waiting at the Imperial court in the Heian period. She is best known as the author of '' The Tale of Genji,'' widely considered to be one of the world's first novels, written in Japanese between abou ...

was a lady in waiting to Shoshi. There were other famous poets in the courts of the empresses. Ichijō loved literature and music. For this reason, high ranked courtiers felt the necessity for their daughter to hold cultural salons with many skillful lady poets. Particularly he was fond of the flute. Ichijō was known for his temperate character and was beloved by his subjects. During Ichijō's reign, Imperial visits were first made to the following four shrines:

Kasuga may refer to: Places * Kasuga, Fukuoka, a city in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan ** Kasuga Station (Fukuoka), on the Kagoshima Main Line * Kasuga, Hyogo, a former town in Hyōgo Prefecture * Kasuga, Gifu, a former village in Gifu Prefecture * Kas ...

, Ōharano, Matsunoo, and Kitano; and in the years which followed, Emperors traditionally made yearly Imperial visits to these shrines and to three others: Kamo, Iwashimizu and Hirano. The actual site of Ichijō's

grave A grave is a location where a dead body (typically that of a human, although sometimes that of an animal) is buried or interred after a funeral. Graves are usually located in special areas set aside for the purpose of burial, such as grav ...

is known. This emperor is traditionally venerated at a memorial

Shinto Shinto () is a religion from Japan. Classified as an East Asian religion by scholars of religion, its practitioners often regard it as Japan's indigenous religion and as a nature religion. Scholars sometimes call its practitioners ''Shintois ...

shrine A shrine ( la, scrinium "case or chest for books or papers"; Old French: ''escrin'' "box or case") is a sacred or holy space dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, martyr, saint, daemon, or similar figure of respect, wherein they ...

(''misasagi'') at Kyoto. The Imperial Household Agency designates this location as Ichijō's mausoleum. It is formally named ''En'yū-ji no kita no misasagi''. Ichijō is buried amongst the "Seven Imperial Tombs" at

Ryōan-ji Ryōan-ji ( ja, 竜安寺, label=Shinjitai, ja, 龍安寺, label=Kyūjitai, ''The Temple of the Dragon at Peace'') is a Zen temple located in northwest Kyoto, Japan. It belongs to the Myōshin-ji school of the Rinzai branch of Zen Buddhism. T ...

Temple in Kyoto. The mound which commemorates the Emperor Ichijō is today named ''Kinugasa-yama.'' The emperor's burial place would have been quite humble in the period after Ichijo died. These tombs reached their present state as a result of the 19th century restoration of imperial sepulchers (''misasagi'') which were ordered by Emperor Meiji.

Kugyō

is a collective term for the very few most powerful men attached to the court of the

Emperor of Japan The Emperor of Japan is the monarch and the head of the Imperial Family of Japan. Under the Constitution of Japan, he is defined as the symbol of the Japanese state and the unity of the Japanese people, and his position is derived from "the ...

in pre- Meiji eras. In general, this elite group included only three to four men at a time. These were hereditary courtiers whose experience and background have brought them to the pinnacle of a life's career. During Kazan's reign, this apex of the '' Daijō-kan'' included: * Sesshō, Fujiwara no Kaneie (藤原兼家), 929–990.Brown, p. 302-303. * Sesshō, Fujiwara no Michitaka (藤原道隆), 953–995.Brown, p. 303. * Kampaku, Fujiwara no Kaneie. * Kampaku, Fujiwara no Michikane, 961–995. *

Daijō-daijin The was the head of the ''Daijō-kan'' (Great Council of State) during and after the Nara period and briefly under the Meiji Constitution. Equivalent to the Chinese (Grand Preceptor). History Emperor Tenji's favorite son, Prince Ōtomo, wa ...

, Fujiwara no Kaneie. * Daijō-daijin,

Fujiwara no Yoritada Fujiwara no Yoritada (藤原頼忠; 924 – 31 July 989), the second son of Saneyori, was a kugyo (high-ranked Japanese noble) who served as regent for Emperor En'yū and Emperor Kazan. His mother was a daughter of Fujiwara no Tokihira. His eld ...

(藤原頼忠), 924–989.Brown, p. 304. * Daijō-daijin,

Fujiwara no Tamemitsu Fujiwara no Tamemitsu (藤原為光) (942–992) was a Japanese statesman, courtier and politician during the Heian period.Brinkley, Frank ''et al.'' (1915). Career Tamemitsu served as a minister during the reigns of Emperor En'yū, Emperor K ...

(藤原為光), 942–992. * Sadaijin, Fujiwara no Michinaga (藤原道長), 966–1027. *

Udaijin was a government position in Japan in the late Nara and Heian periods. The position was consolidated in the Taihō Code of 702. The Asuka Kiyomihara Code of 689 marks the initial appearance of the ''udaijin'' in the context of a central administ ...

, Fujiwara no Michikane (藤原道兼). *

Naidaijin The , literally meaning "Inner Minister", was an ancient office in the Japanese Imperial Court. Its role, rank and authority varied throughout the pre- Meiji period of Japanese history, but in general remained as a significant post under the Tai ...

, Fujiwara no Michitaka. * Naidaijin, Fujiwara no Korechika (藤原伊周), 973–1010. * Naidaijin, Kan'in Kinsue (藤原公季), 956–1029. * ''

Dainagon was a counselor of the first rank in the Imperial court of Japan. The role dates from the 7th century. This advisory position remained a part of the Imperial court from the 8th century until the Meiji period in the 19th century.Nussbaum, "Dainag ...

Eras of Ichijō's reign

The years of Ichijō's reign are more specifically identified by more than one

era name A regnal year is a year of the reign of a sovereign, from the Latin ''regnum'' meaning kingdom, rule. Regnal years considered the date as an ordinal, not a cardinal number. For example, a monarch could have a first year of rule, a second year of ...

or ''

nengō The , also known as , is the first of the two elements that identify years in the Japanese era calendar scheme. The second element is a number which indicates the year number within the era (with the first year being ""), followed by the literal ...

''.Titsingh, p. 150. * '' Eien'' (987–988) * '' Eiso'' (988–990) * '' Shōryaku'' (990–995) * ''

Chōtoku was a after '' Eiso'' and before '' Chōhō.'' This period spanned the years from February 995 through January 999. The reigning emperor was . Change of era * 995 : The new era name was created to mark an event or a number of events. The pre ...

'' (995–999) * '' Chōhō'' (999–1004) * ''

'' (1004–1012)

Consorts and children

* Empress ('' Kōgō''):

Fujiwara no Teishi , also known as Sadako, was an empress consort of the Japanese Emperor Ichijō. She appears in the literary classic ''The Pillow Book'' written by her court lady Sei Shōnagon. Life She was the first daughter of Fujiwara no Michitaka (藤� ...

/Sadako (藤原定子), Fujiwara no Michitaka‘s 1st daughter ** First Daughter: Imperial Princess ''Shushi''/Nagako (脩子内親王; 997–1049) ** First son: Imperial Prince Atsuyasu (敦康親王; 999–1019) **Second Daughter: Imperial Princess ''Bishi'' (媄子内親王; 1001–1008) * Empress ('' Chūgū''): Fujiwara no ''Shōshi''/Akiko (藤原彰子) later Jōtō-mon-In (上東門院),

‘s daughter ** Second son: Imperial Prince Atsuhira (敦成親王) later

Emperor Go-Ichijō was the 68th emperor of Japan,Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 後一条天皇 (68)/ref> according to the traditional order of succession. Go-Ichijō's reign spanned the years from 1016 through 1036. This 11th century sovereign was nam ...

** Third son: Imperial Prince Atsunaga (敦良親王) later

Emperor Go-Suzaku was the 69th emperor of Japan,Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 後朱雀天皇 (69)/ref> according to the traditional order of succession. Go-Suzaku's reign spanned the years from 1036 through 1045. This 11th-century sovereign was name ...

*Consort ( Nyōgo): Fujiwara no ''Gishi'' (藤原義子; 974–1053),

Fujiwara no Kinsue Fujiwara no Kinsue (藤原公季; 957–1029), also known as ''Kaikō'', was a Japanese statesman, courtier and politician during the Heian period.Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Fujiwara no Tokihira" in ; Brinkley, Frank ''et al.'' (1915 ...

‘s daughter *Consort ( Nyōgo): Fujiwara no ''Genshi'' (藤原元子; b.979), Fujiwara no Akimitsu‘s daughter; later married Minamoto no Yorisada *Consort ( Nyōgo): Fujiwara no ''Sonshi'' (藤原尊子; 984–1022), Fujiwara no Michikane‘s daughter; later married Fujiwara no Michitō in 1015 *Consort ( ''Mikushige-dono-no-Bettō''): Fujiwara no Michitaka‘s 4th daughter (985-1002)

Ancestry

Notes

References

* Brown, Delmer M. and Ichirō Ishida, eds. (1979)
''Gukanshō: The Future and the Past.''
Berkeley: University of California Press.
OCLC 251325323
* Moscher, Gouverneur. (1978). ''Kyoto: A Contemplative Guide.''
OCLC 4589403
* Ponsonby-Fane, Richard Arthur Brabazon. (1959)
''The Imperial House of Japan.''
Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society
OCLC 194887
* Titsingh, Isaac. (1834). '' Nihon Odai Ichiran''; ou
''Annales des empereurs du Japon.''
Paris: Royal Asiatic Society, Oriental Translation Fund of Great Britain and Ireland
OCLC 5850691
* Varley, H. Paul. (1980)
''Jinnō Shōtōki: A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns.''
New York: Columbia University Press.
OCLC 59145842