Emperor Suzaku


Emperor Suzaku was the 61st emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.
Suzaku's reign spanned the years from 930 through 946.

Biography

Before he ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name was Hiroakira-shinnō. He was also known as Yutaakira-shinnō.
Hiroakira-shinnō was the 11th son of Emperor Daigo and Empress Consort Onshi, a daughter of the regent and great minister of the council of state, Fujiwara no Mototsune.
Suzaku had two Empresses or consorts and one Imperial daughter.

Events of Suzaku's life

Suzaku's older brother died unexpectedly young, as did his brother's son. These untimely deaths opened the way for Suzaku to accede to the throne.16 October 930 : In the 33rd year of the reign of Daigo-tennō, the emperor abdicated; and the succession was received by his eleventh son, Hiroakira-shinnō.14 December 930 : Emperor Suzaku, who was only eight years old, acceded to the throne.16 May 931 : The era name was changed to mark the beginning of the new emperor's reign.5 August 931 : The former-Emperor Uda died at the age of 65.6 September 932 : The udaijin Fujiwara no Sadakata died at the age of 65.14 March 933 : The dainagon Fujiwara no Nakahira is named udaijin. Nakahira is the brother of sesshō Fujiwara no Tadahira.933 : Ten of the chief dignitaries of the empire went falcon-hunting together in Owari Province. Each of them was magnificent in his formal hunting attire.935 : The Great Fundamental Central Hall on Mt. Hiei burned down.7 September 936 : Fujiwara no Tadahira was named daijō-daijin ; and in this same period, Fujiwara no Nakahira was named sadaijin, and was named udaijin.937 : The former-Emperor Yōzei celebrated his 70th birthday.938 : Serial intermittent ground-tremors were felt in Heian-kyō from the 10th through the 29th days of this month.940 : During his reign, Taira no Masakado raised a great insurrection in the Kantō region and declared himself the "New Emperor". Still, his forces were defeated by Fujiwara no Hidesato and Taira no Sadamori, and he was decapitated.941 : Fujiwara no Sumitomo staged a rebellion, having made a secret agreement with Taira no Masakado, but his army was defeated by Tachibana Tōyasu.23 May 946 : Suzaku abdicates, having ruled for 16 years. The emperor was succeeded by his younger brother, who would become Emperor Murakami.952 : Suzaku took ordination as a Buddhist monk at Ninna-ji.6 September 952 : Suzaku died at the age of 30.
The actual site of Suzaku's grave is known. This emperor is traditionally venerated at a memorial Shinto shrine at Kyoto.
The Imperial Household Agency designates this location as Suzaku's mausoleum. It is formally named Daigo no misasagi in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto near the Buddhist temple, Daigo-ji.

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.
This elite group generally included only three to four men at a time. These were hereditary courtiers whose experience and background had brought them to the pinnacle of a life's career. During Suzaku's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included: Sesshō, Fujiwara no Tadahira, 880–949.Kampaku, Fujiwara no Tadahira.Daijō-daijin, Fujiwara no Tadahira.Sadaijin, Fujiwara no Tadahira.Sadaijin, Fujiwara no Nakahira.Udaijin, Fujiwara no Sadakata　.Udaijin, Fujiwara no Nakahira.Udaijin, Fujiwara no Tsunesuke 　.Udaijin, Fujiwara no Saneyori, 900–970.NaidaijinDainagon, Fujiwara no Nakahira.

Eras of Suzaku's reign

The years of Suzaku's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.Enchō Jōhei