Emperor Murakami (村上天皇, Murakami-tennō; 14 July 924 – 5 July 967) 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.
Contents
Biography
Before he ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name (imina) was Nariakira-shinnō (成明親王).
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 (Tengyō 9, 13th day of the 4th month): In the 16th year of the reign of Emperor Suzaku (朱雀天皇十六年), the emperor abdicated; and the succession (the senso) was received by his younger brother, Nariakira-shinnō.
31 May 946 (Tengyō 9, 28th day of the 4th month): Shortly thereafter, Emperor Murakami, who was 21 years old, acceded to the throne (the sokui).
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 (Tenryaku 3, 29th day of the 9th month): The former-Emperor Yōzei died at the age of 82.
951 (Tenryaku 5): 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 (Tenryaku 6, 15th day of the 8th month): The former-Emperor Suzaku died at the age of 30.
16 October 960 (Tentoku 4, 23rd day of the 9th month): 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 (Japanese harp) player.
5 July 967 (Kōhō 4, 25th day of the 5th month): 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 (misasagi) at Kyoto.
The Imperial Household Agency designates this location as Murakami's mausoleum. It is formally named Murakami no misasagi
Kugyō
Kugyō (公卿) 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 (藤原忠平), 880–949.
Daijō-daijin, Fujiwara no Tadahira (藤原忠平).
Sadaijin, Ono-no Miya Fujiwara no Saneyori (藤原実頼), 900–970.
Udaijin, Fujiwara no Saneyori (藤原実頼).
Udaijin, Fujiwara no Morosuke (藤原師輔), 908–960.
Udaijin, Fujiwara no Akitada (藤原顕忠).
Udaijin, Minamoto no Taka-akira (源高明).
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 (938–947)
Tenryaku (947–957)
Tentoku (957–961)
Ōwa (961–964)
Kōhō (964–968)
Consorts and children
Empress (Chugu): Fujiwara no Anshi/Yasuko (藤原安子; 927–964), Fujiwara no Morosuke‘s daughter
Prince: (946)
First Daughter: Imperial Princess Shōshi (承子内親王; 948–951)
Second son: Imperial Prince Norihira (憲平親王) later Emperor Reizei
Fourth Son: Imperial Prince Tamehira (為平親王; 952–1010)
Seventh Daughter: Imperial Princess Sukeko (輔子内親王; 953–992), 32nd Saiō in Ise Shrine 968–969
Ninth Daughter: Imperial Princess Shishi (資子内親王; 955–1015)
Seventh Son: Imperial Prince Morihira (守平親王) later Emperor En'yu
Princess: (962)
Tenth Daughter: Imperial Princess Senshi (選子内親王; 964–1035), 16th Saiin in Kamo Shrine 975–1031
Consort (Nyōgo): Princess Kishi (徽子女王; 929–985), Imperial Prince Shigeakira's daughter
Fourth Daughter: Imperial Princess Kishi/Noriko (規子内親王; 949–986), 34th Saiō in Ise Shrine 975–984
Eighth Son: (962)
Consort (Nyōgo): Princess Sōshi/Takako (荘子女王; 930–1008), Imperial Prince Yoakira's daughter
Sixth daughter: Imperial Princess Rakushi (楽子内親王; 952–998), 31st Saiō in Ise Shrine 955–967