Emperor Nijō


Emperor Nijō was the 78th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1158 through 1165.

Genealogy

Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name was Morihito-shinnō.
He was the eldest son of Emperor Go-Shirakawa. He was the father of Emperor Rokujō.
Nijō was proclaimed as heir to Emperor Go-Shirakawa.
  • Hōgen 1, 2nd day of the 7th month : Cloistered Emperor Toba-in died at age 54.
  • Hōgen 1, 10th–29th days of the 7th month : The Hōgen Rebellion, also known as the Hōgen Insurrection or the Hōgen War.
  • Hōgen 4, on the 11th day of the 8th month : In the third year of Go-Shirakawa-tennōs reign, the emperor abdicated; and the succession was received by his eldest son. Shortly thereafter, Emperor Nijō is said to have acceded to the throne.
After Nijō was formally enthroned, the management of all affairs continued to rest entirely in the hands of the retired emperor, Go-Shirakawa.
  • Heiji 1, 9th–26th day of the 12th month : The Heiji Rebellion, also known as the Heiji Insurrection or the Heiji War.
  • Chōkan 2, on the 26th day of the 8th month :The former-Emperor Sutoku died at the age of 46.
  • Eiman 1 : The infant son of Emperor Nijō was named heir apparent and therefore Crown Prince, and would soon after become Emperor Rokujō.
  • Eiman 1, on the 25th day of the 6th month : In the seventh year of Nijō-tennōs reign, the emperor fell so very ill that he abdicated; and the succession was received by his son. Shortly thereafter, Emperor Rokujō is said to have acceded to the throne.
  • Eiman 1, 27th–28th day of the 7th month : The former Emperor Nijō died at age 22.

    ''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 would have brought them to the pinnacle of a life's career. During Nijō's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:
  • Kampaku, Konoe Motozane, 1143–1166.
  • Sadaijin, Konoe Motozane.
  • Udaijin
  • Nadaijin
  • ''Dainagon''

    Eras of Nijō's reign

The years of Nijō's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.
  • Hōgen
  • Heiji
  • Eiryaku
  • Ōhō
  • Chōkan
  • ''Eiman''

    Ancestry