Emperor Antoku

The 81st Emperor (reigned 1180-1185). His name was Tokihito. He was the first son of Emperor Takakura. His mother was Tokuko, the daughter of Taira Kiyomori. He was born on November 12, 1182. He succeeded Emperor Takakura after he abdicated the throne two years later, but he shared the fate of the Taira clan in the midst of the Genpei War. In 1183 (Juei 2), when Kiso Yoshinaka entered Kyoto, he was supported by Taira Munemori and left the city. He traveled to Dazaifu, Yashima in Sanuki, and Dannoura in Nagato, and when the Taira clan was destroyed in the Battle of Dannoura in 1185 (Bun'ei 1), he was embraced by Niinoama and drowned in the sea. He was 8 years old at the time. His tomb is at Amida Temple in Shimonoseki City.

[Hiroya Yamamoto]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

第81代天皇（在位1180～1185）。名は言仁(ときひと)。高倉(たかくら)天皇の第1皇子。母は平清盛(きよもり)の女(むすめ)徳子。治承(じしょう)2年11月12日誕生。翌々年高倉天皇譲位の後を受けて即位したが、源平争乱の渦中で平氏と運命をともにした。1183年（寿永2）木曽義仲(きそよしなか)入京の際、平宗盛(むねもり)に擁せられて出京。大宰府(だざいふ)、讃岐(さぬき)の屋島(やしま)、長門(ながと)の壇ノ浦(だんのうら)と移動し、1185年（文治1）壇ノ浦の戦いで平氏が滅亡するときに、二位尼(にいのあま)に抱かれて海に沈んだ。ときに8歳。御陵は下関市の阿弥陀(あみだ)寺陵。

［山本博也］

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