Emperor Horikawa


Emperor Horikawa was the 73rd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.
Horikawa's reign spanned the years from 1087 through 1107.

Biography

Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name was Taruhito-shinnō. He was also known as Yoshihito-tennō.
Horikawa was the son of Emperor Shirakawa. His mother was Fujiwara no Kenshi, adopted daughter of Fujiwara Morozane. His wet nurse was a different namesake Fujiwara no Kenshi.

Empresses, consorts, and issue

  • Empress : Imperial Princess Tokushi, Emperor Go-Sanjo’s daughter
  • Consort : Fujiwara no Ishi, Fujiwara no Sanesue’s daughter
  • * Imperial Prince Munehito later Emperor Toba
  • Lady-in-waiting : Princess Jinshi, Prince Yasusuke’s daughter
  • * Imperial Princess Soshi
  • Lady-in-waiting : Fujiwara Muneko, Fujiwara Takamune’s daughter
  • * Kangyō
  • Lady-in-waiting : Fujiwara Tokitsune’s daughter
  • * Imperial Prince Priest Saiun head priest of the Tendai sect
  • Mother Unknown
  • * Imperial Princess Kishi
  • * Imperial Princess Kaishi

    Rule

After becoming crown prince, he acceded to the throne upon the abdication of his father Emperor Shirakawa on January 3, 1087. His father's kampaku Fujiwara Morozane became regent, and Horikawa's reign was overshadowed by the cloistered rule of his father. Horikawa filled his reign with scholarship, poetry, and music.
When Horikawa's empress-consort Fujiwara no Ishi died in 1103, his son the Imperial Prince Munehito was taken to be raised by the retired Emperor Shirakawa. This son later succeeded Horikawa to the throne and was later known as Emperor Toba.
Horikawa died at the age of 28 on August 9, 1107. He is among the seven emperors entombed near Ryōan-ji in Kyoto. He is traditionally venerated at the Nochi no Yenkyō-ji no misasagi memorial Shinto shrine; this site has been designated as Horikawa's mausoleum by the Imperial Household Agency.

Eras

The years of Horikawa's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.
  • Ōtoku
  • Kanji
  • Kahō
  • Eichō
  • Jōtoku
  • Kōwa
  • Chōji
  • ''Kajō''

    Kugyō

During Horikawa's reign, the high-ranking kugyō of the imperial court included:
  • Sesshō/''Daijō-daijin Fujiwara Morozane
  • Kampaku/Nidaijin Fujiwara Moromichi
  • Kampaku/Udaijin/Dainagon'' Fujiwara Tadazane

    Ancestry