Emperor Murakami


Emperor Murakami was the 62nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.
Murakami's reign spanned the years from 946 to his death in 967.

Biography

Before he ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name was Nariakira-shinnō.
Nariakira-shinnō was the 14th son of Emperor Daigo, and the younger brother of Emperor Suzaku by another mother.
Murakami had ten Empresses and Imperial consorts and 19 Imperial sons and daughters.

Events of Murakami's reign

In 944, he was appointed crown prince and ascended the throne two years later.
  • 16 May 946 : In the 16th year of the reign of Emperor Suzaku, the emperor abdicated; and the succession was received by his younger brother, Nariakira-shinnō.
  • 31 May 946 : Shortly thereafter, Emperor Murakami, who was 21 years old, acceded to the throne.
Murakami's maternal uncle Fujiwara no Tadahira remained as the Sessho regent until 949. After the death of Tadahira, there was no regent and although contemporaries praised Murakami as the emperor who governed the state directly, in reality the Fujiwara clan seized power and ruled Japan. The brothers Fujiwara no Saneyori and Fujiwara no Morosuke became the de facto rulers of Japan.
Murakami was a central figure in Heian period culture. He was also a skilled flute and koto player.
  • 5 July 967 : The former-Emperor Murakami died at the age of 42.
The actual site of Murakami's grave is known. This emperor is traditionally venerated at a memorial Shinto shrine at Kyoto.
The Imperial Household Agency designates this location as Murakami's mausoleum. It is formally named ''Murakami no misasagi''

Kugyō

Kugyō is a collective term for the very few most powerful men attached to the court of the Emperor of Japan 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 Murakami's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:
  • Kampaku, Fujiwara no Tadahira, 880–949.
  • Daijō-daijin, Fujiwara no Tadahira.
  • Sadaijin, Ono-no Miya Fujiwara no Saneyori, 900–970.
  • Udaijin, Fujiwara no Saneyori.
  • Udaijin, Fujiwara no Morosuke, 908–960.
  • Udaijin, Fujiwara no Akitada　.
  • Udaijin, 　.
  • Nadaijin
  • ''Dainagon''

    Eras of Murakami's reign

The years of murakami's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.
  • Tengyō
  • Tenryaku
  • Tentoku
  • Ōwa
  • ''Kōhō''

    Consorts and children

: Fujiwara no Anshi/Yasuko, Fujiwara no Morosuke‘s daughter
Consort : Princess Kishi, Imperial Prince Shigeakira's daughter
  • Fourth Daughter: Imperial Princess Kishi/Noriko, 34th Saiō in Ise Shrine 975–984
  • Eighth Son:
Consort : Princess Sōshi/Takako, Imperial Prince Yoakira's daughter
  • Sixth daughter: Imperial Princess Rakushi, 31st Saiō in Ise Shrine 955–967
  • Ninth Son: Imperial Prince Tomohira, called Nochi no Chūshoō
Consort : Fujiwara no Jutsushi/Nobuko, Fujiwara no Saneyori‘s daughter
Consort : Fujiwara no Hōshi, Fujiwara no Morotada‘s daughter
  • Sixth son: Imperial Prince Masahira
  • Tenth son: Imperial Prince Nagahira
Court Attendant : Minamoto no Kazuko, Minamoto no Moroakira's daughter
  • Second Daughter: Imperial Princess Rishi
  • Fifth Daughter: Imperial Princess Seishi, married to Fujiwara no Akimitsu
Court Attendant : Fujiwara no Seihi, Fujiwara no Arihira's daughter
  • Third Daughter: Imperial Princess Hoshi, married to Fujiwara no Kaneie
  • Third Prince: Imperial Prince Munehira
  • Fifth Prince: Imperial Prince Akihira
Court Attendant : Fujiwara no Sukehime, Fujiwara no Motokata's daughter
  • First Son: Imperial Prince Hirohira
  • Eighth Daughter: Imperial Princess Shūshi
Court Attendant : Fujiwara no Shūshi, Fujiwara no Asahira's daughter
Court Attendant : Fujiwara no Yūjo, Fujiwara no Arisuke's daughter
Court Lady: Fujiwara no Tōshi/Nariko, Fujiwara no Morosuke‘s daughter; later married Imperial Prince Shigeakira

Ancestry