Emperor Yozei

The 57th Emperor (reigned 876-884). First son of Emperor Seiwa. His mother was Takako, the younger sister of Fujiwara no Mototsune. His given name was Sadaaki. Born in Somedono-dai, the residence of Fujiwara no Yoshifusa, he became the crown prince at three months old and grew up in Somedono-dai. He ascended to the throne at the age of nine when Emperor Seiwa abdicated, and Mototsune became regent, just like the previous emperor. However, in the following years the emperor acted in many debaucheries, and from around 881 (Gangei 5) he was in conflict with Mototsune. In 883 he killed Minamoto no Mitsu, born to the emperor's wet nurse Kino Matako, and he was fond of horses and had them kept secretly in the palace. At this point, the conflict between the Emperor and Mototsune reached a boiling point, and in February of the following year, the Emperor abdicated, citing illness as the reason. His mausoleum is located in the Kaguraoka East Mausoleum in Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City.

[Toshihiko Fukui]

"The Heian Dynasty - Its Powerful Men" by Tokuei Mezaki (1965, Jinbutsu Oraisha)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

第57代天皇（在位876～884）。清和(せいわ)天皇第一皇子。母は藤原基経(もとつね)の妹高子(たかいこ)。諱(いみな)は貞明。藤原良房(よしふさ)の邸染殿第(そめどのだい)に生まれ、3か月にして皇太子となり、そのまま染殿第で育った。9歳で清和天皇の譲位を受けて即位し、基経が前代に引き続いて摂政(せっしょう)となった。しかしその後数年にして天皇は乱行多く、881年（元慶5）ころから基経と対立が続いた。883年には天皇の乳母(めのと)紀全子(きのまたこ)の産んだ源益(みなもとのみつ)を殺したり、馬を愛好して宮中でひそかに飼わしめるなどのことがあった。ここに至って天皇と基経との対立は極に達し、翌年2月天皇は自ら病気を理由に譲位した。陵墓は京都市左京区神楽岡(かぐらおか)東陵。

［福井俊彦］

『目崎徳衛著『平安王朝――その実力者たち』（1965・人物往来社）』

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