Emperor Saga

Japanese: 嵯峨天皇 - さがてんのう

Year of death: July 15, 842 (August 24, 842)
Year of birth: Enryaku 5 (786)
An emperor of the Heian period. The second son of Emperor Kanmu and Empress Fujiwara no Otomuro. His name was Kamino (Kamino). He was favored by Kanmu from an early age as he was seen as having the qualities of a great emperor, and in 806 he became the crown prince of his elder brother Emperor Heizei, and in the fourth year he succeeded him and ascended to the throne. However, due to the intervention of Fujiwara no Kusuko and others, he came into conflict with the retired Emperor Heizei, who had moved to Heijo Palace (the so-called "two courts"). When the retired emperor called for the return of the capital to Heijo-kyo, he quickly put a stop to this movement (Kusuko's Incident). Later, Kamo no Chomei wrote in his "Hojoki" that Heian-kyo was established as the capital "during the reign of Emperor Saga," and it can be said that this incident marked the beginning of the era of Heian-kyo. During this time, he appointed Kurodo no Kami to expedite government affairs, appointed Kamo no Saio (Saioin, the first of which was his daughter, Princess Achiko) to pray for victory in battle, and established Reizei-in and Suzaku-in as the first retired emperor's palaces after the abdication, all of which were significant policies implemented in response to this rebellion. He loved Chinese poetry and prose, and often held poetry parties at Shinsen-en and other locations, which are included in the imperially compiled works Ryōunshū and Bunka Shūreishū (as well as the Keikokushū, published after his abdication). He also changed the names of the palace gates, including ceremonies and clothing, to Tang-style, and encouraged the Tang custom of drinking tea in Nito, making him a central figure in the rise of Tang-style culture in the first half of the 9th century. He was also a skilled calligrapher, and is counted among the three great calligraphers along with Kukai and Tachibana no Hayase, and his original copy of the Mitsusada Kaichō is famous. After abdicating, he lived with Empress Kachiko at Reizei-in for 11 years, then spent time at Saga-in (which was converted into a temple after his death, Daikaku-ji), where he passed away. Two days later, the so-called Jowa Incident occurred, taking advantage of the political vacuum. As a result of his preference for inner love, 50 princes and princesses were born to his many kisaki, and in 815 (Kōnin 6), 32 of them were given the title of Minamoto no Ason and became subjects, which was the beginning of the Genji clan that bestowed the surname. During this period, the kisaki system also underwent major changes, with a distinction being made between Nyōgo and Saii depending on family status. <References> Takinami Sadako, Heian-kento (Heian-kento)

(Takinami Sadako)

Source: Asahi Japanese Historical Biography: Asahi Shimbun Publications Inc. About Asahi Japanese Historical Biography

Japanese:

没年：承和9.7.15(842.8.24)
生年：延暦5(786)
平安時代の天皇。桓武天皇と皇后藤原乙牟漏の次男。名は賀美能(神野)。幼いころから天子の器量があるとして桓武に寵愛され,大同1(806)年,兄平城天皇の皇太弟となり,4年,譲りを受けて即位した。しかし藤原薬子らの介入によって平城宮に移った平城上皇と対立(いわゆる「二所朝廷」),上皇が平城京還都を号令するにおよびその動きをいち早く押さえている(薬子の変)。のち鴨長明が『方丈記』のなかで,平安京が都として定まったのは「嵯峨天皇の御時」と述べているように,この事件を契機に平安京の時代が始まったといってよい。この間,政務を迅速に処理するため蔵人頭を任じ,戦勝を祈願して賀茂斎王(斎院,初代は娘の有智子内親王)を置き,はじめて譲位後の上皇御所として冷泉院と朱雀院を設けるなど,この乱を契機に行った施策の意義は大きい。漢詩文を好み,神泉苑その他でしばしば詩宴を持ち,それらは勅撰させた『凌雲集』『文華秀麗集』(譲位後の『経国集』も)に収められている。また儀式や服装をはじめ宮城諸門の名についても唐風に改め,新渡の唐風俗であった喫茶を奨励するなど,9世紀前半における唐風文化興隆の中心人物であった。書もよくし,空海,橘逸勢と共に三筆のひとりに数えられ,真筆「光定戒牒」は有名。譲位後は皇后嘉智子と共に冷泉院に11年間住んだあと,嵯峨院(没後寺に改めたのが大覚寺)で過ごし,ここで没した。その2日後,政治的空白をねらって起きたのが,いわゆる承和の変である。内寵を好んだ結果,多数のキサキから50人にのぼる皇子女が生まれ,弘仁6(815)年,このうち32人に源朝臣を与えて臣籍に下したのが賜姓源氏の始まり。キサキについてもこの時期,家柄によって女御,更衣の区別がつけられるなど,後宮制度は大きく変化した。<参考文献>瀧浪貞子『平安建都』

(瀧浪貞子)

出典　朝日日本歴史人物事典：（株）朝日新聞出版朝日日本歴史人物事典について　情報

<<: Sakado [city] - Sakado

>>: Zacatecas (English spelling)