Emperor Higashiyama

Emperor Higashiyama (東山天皇 Higashiyama Tennō) (October 21, 1675 - January 16, 1710) was the 113th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. He ruled from May 6, 1687 to July 27, 1709. His personal name was Asahito (朝仁) and his title was Gonomiya (五宮)

Genealogy

He was the fifth son of Emperor Reigen. He had at least ten children.

• Empress: Princess Yukiko (幸子女王) (Empress Dowager Shōshū, 承秋門院), daughter of Arisugawa-no-miya Yukihito
  • First daughter: Imperial Princess Akiko (秋子内親王)
• Lady-in-waiting: Kushige Yoshiko (櫛笥賀子) (Empress Dowager Shin-syuken, 新崇賢門院)
  • First son: Ichi-no-miya (一宮)
  • Second son: Ni-no-miya (二宮)
  • Fourth son: Hisa-no-miya (寿宮)
  • Second daughter: Tomi-no-miya (福宮)
  • Fifth son: Imperial Prince Yasuhito (慶仁親王) (Emperor Nakamikado)
  • Sixth son: Imperial Prince Kan'in-no-miya Naohito (閑院宮直仁親王) - First Kan'in-no-miya
• Lady-in-waiting: Reizei Tsuneko (冷泉経子) (Buddhist priestess)
  • Third son: Prince Kōkan (公寛法親王) (Buddhist priest)
• Handmaid (?): Daughter of Takatsuji (Sugawara) Nagakazu (高辻（菅原）長量)
  • Third daughter: Kōmyōjyō'in-no-miya (光明定院宮)
  • Fourth daughter: Princess Syōsyuku (聖祝女王)

Events of Higashiyama-tennō's Life

In 1687, he acceded to the throne after the abdication of Emperor Reigen. On the 16th day of the 11th month of that year, he revived the Daijōsai (大嘗祭), the first ceremonial offering of rice by a newly enthroned Emperor.

Initially, Emperor Reigen continued to rule in Higashiyama's name, which caused much friction with the Bakufu. However, Higashiyama's gentle character helped to improve relations with the Bakufu, and imperial property was increased, and repairs were carried out on Imperial mausoleums.

In 1701, when the Akō Incident took place, due to the bloodshed by Matsuno Ōroku, Emperor Higashiyama came near to withdrawing the imperial will.

In 1709, Emperor Nakamikado became emperor upon his abdication. Shortly afterwards, Higashiyama died of smallpox.

Eras of Higashiyama-tennō's Reign

• Jōkyō (1684-1688)
• Genroku (1688-1704)
• Hōei (1704-1711)

References

• Klaproth, Julius. (1834). Supplement aux Annales des Daïri, appended to [Siyun-sai Rin-siyo, 1652], Nipon o daï itsi ran; ou, Annales des empereurs du Japon, tr. par M. Isaac Titsingh avec l'aide de plusieurs interprètes attachés au comptoir hollandais de Nangasaki; ouvrage re., complété et cor. sur l'original japonais-chinois, accompagné de notes et précédé d'un Aperçu d'histoire mythologique du Japon, par M. J. Klaproth. Paris. [Two digitized examples of this rare book have now been made available online: (1) from the library of the University of Michigan, digitized January 30, 2007; and (2) from the library of Stanford University, digitized June 23, 2006.]
• Screech, Timon. (2006). Secret Memoirs of the Shoguns: Isaac Titsingh and Japan, 1779-1822. London.
• Titsingh, Isaac. (1820). Mémoires et Anecdotes sur la Dynastie régnante des Djogouns, Souverains du Japon, avec la description des fêtes et cérémonies observées aux différentes époques de l'année à la Cour de ces Princes, et un appendice contenant des détails sur la poésie des Japonais, leur manière de diviser l'année, etc.; Ouvrage orné de Planches gravées et coloriées, tiré des Originaux Japonais par M. Titsingh; publié avec des Notes et Eclaircissemens Par M. Abel Rémusat. Paris.

Further Reading

• Titsingh, Isaac. (1822). Illustrations of Japan; consisting of Private Memoirs and Anecdotes of the reigning dynasty of The Djogouns, or Sovereigns of Japan; a description of the Feasts and Ceremonies observed throughout the year at their Court; and of the Ceremonies customary at Marriages and Funerals: to which are subjoined, observations on the legal suicide of the Japanese, remarks on their their poetry, an explanation of their mode of reckoning time, particulars respecting the Dosia powder, the preface of a work by Confoutzee on filial piety, &c. &c. by M. Titsingh formerly Chief Agent to the Dutch East India Company at Nangasaki. Translated from the French, by Frederic Shoberl with coloured plates, faithfully copied from Japanese original designs. London.

Higashiyama also refers to a ward of Kyoto City.