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.23 October 949 : The former-Emperor Yōzei died at the age of 82.951 : The emperor ordered the compilation of Gosen Wakashū; this work was undertaken by the Five Men of the Pear Chamber under his patronage.6 September 952 : The former-Emperor Suzaku died at the age of 30.16 October 960 : The Imperial palace burned down, the first time it had been ravaged by fire since the capital was removed from Nara to Heian-kyō in 794.
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
Empress : Fujiwara no Anshi/Yasuko, Fujiwara no Morosuke‘s daughter- Prince:
- First Daughter: Imperial Princess Shōshi
- Second son: Imperial Prince Norihira later Emperor Reizei
- Fourth Son: Imperial Prince Tamehira
- Seventh Daughter: Imperial Princess Sukeko, 32nd Saiō in Ise Shrine 968–969
- Ninth Daughter: Imperial Princess Shishi
- Seventh Son: Imperial Prince Morihira later Emperor En'yu
- Princess:
- Tenth Daughter: Imperial Princess Senshi, 16th Saiin in Kamo Shrine 975–1031
- Fourth Daughter: Imperial Princess Kishi/Noriko, 34th Saiō in Ise Shrine 975–984
- Eighth Son:
- Sixth daughter: Imperial Princess Rakushi, 31st Saiō in Ise Shrine 955–967
- Ninth Son: Imperial Prince Tomohira, called Nochi no Chūshoō
Consort : Fujiwara no Hōshi, Fujiwara no Morotada‘s daughter
- Sixth son: Imperial Prince Masahira
- Tenth son: Imperial Prince Nagahira
- Second Daughter: Imperial Princess Rishi
- Fifth Daughter: Imperial Princess Seishi, married to Fujiwara no Akimitsu
- Third Daughter: Imperial Princess Hoshi, married to Fujiwara no Kaneie
- Third Prince: Imperial Prince Munehira
- Fifth Prince: Imperial Prince Akihira
- First Son: Imperial Prince Hirohira
- Eighth Daughter: Imperial Princess Shūshi
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