Editing Emperor Heizei

{{distinguish|text=[[Emperor Heisei]], the future posthumous name of Emperor Emeritus [[Akihito]]}}
{{distinguish|Heijō-kyō}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2012}}

{{Infobox royalty
| name         = Emperor Heizei<br>{{nobold|{{lang|ja|平城天皇}}}}
| image        = Emperor Heizei.jpg
| caption      = 
| succession   = [[Emperor of Japan]]
| reign        = 806–809
| coronation   = April 9, 806
| cor-type     = japan
| predecessor  = [[Emperor Kanmu|Kanmu]]
| successor    = [[Emperor Saga|Saga]]
| posthumous name = [[Posthumous name#Tsuigō|''Tsuigō'']]:<br/>Emperor Heizei ({{lang|ja|平城天皇}})<br/><br/>[[Posthumous name#Japanese-style shigō|Japanese-style ''shigō'']]:<br/>Yamato-neko-ameoshikuni-takahiko no Sumeramikoto ({{lang|ja|日本根子天推国高彦天皇}})
| spouse       = [[Fujiwara no Taishi (died 794)|Fujiwara no Tarashiko/Taishi]]
| issue        = {{plainlist|
*Prince Abo
*Prince Takaoka
*Prince Kose
*Princess Kamitsukeno
*Princess Isonokami
*Princess Ōhara
*Princess Enu}}
| royal house  = [[Imperial House of Japan]]
| father       = [[Emperor Kanmu]]
| mother       = [[Fujiwara no Otomuro]]
| birth_name   = {{nihongo|Ate|安殿}}
| birth_date   = 773
| birth_place  = 
| death_date   = {{death date and age|824|8|5|773}}
| death_place  = Heijō-kyō (Nara)
| burial_place = ''Yamamomo no misasagi'' (楊梅陵) (Nara)|
}}

{{nihongo|'''Emperor Heizei'''|平城天皇|Heizei-tennō|773 – August 5, 824}}, also known as ''Heijō-tennō'', was the 51st [[emperor of Japan]],<ref name="kunaichō">[[#Kunaichō|Emperor Heizei, Yamamomo Imperial Mausoleum]], Imperial Household Agency</ref> according to the traditional [[List of Emperors of Japan|order of succession]].<ref>Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1959). ''The Imperial House of Japan'', pp. 62–63.</ref> Heizei's reign lasted from [[Heian period|806 to 809]].<ref>Titsingh, Isaac. (1834). ''Annales des empereurs du Japon'', pp. 96–97; Brown, Delmer ''et al.'' (1979). ''Gukanshō,'' pp. 279–280; Varley, H. Paul. ''Jinnō Shōtōki,'' p. 151.</ref>

==Traditional narrative==
Heizei was the eldest son of the [[Emperor Kanmu]] and empress [[Fujiwara no Otomuro]].<ref>Varley, p. 151; Brown, p. 279.</ref> Heizei had three empresses and seven sons and daughters.<ref name="b279">Brown, p. 279.</ref>

Heizei is traditionally venerated at his tomb; the [[Imperial Household Agency]] designates {{nihongo3|Yamamomo Imperial Mausoleum|楊梅陵|Yamamomo no Misasagi}}, in [[Nara, Nara|Nara]], as the location of Heizei's [[mausoleum]].<ref name="kunaichō" /> The site is publicly accessible.<ref>Nara City Sightseeing Information Center (''Narashikanko''): [http://narashikanko.jp/english/aria_map/map_pdf/302.pdf Heizei's ''misasagi'', map] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207003146/http://narashikanko.jp/english/aria_map/map_pdf/302.pdf |date=February 7, 2012 }}</ref> Although one of the largest [[kofun]] monuments in Japan, archaeological investigations in 1962–1963 indicate that it was constructed in the early 5th century, and that portions of it were destroyed during the construction of [[Heijō-kyō]], calling into question the designation by the Imperial Household Agency.

===Events of Heizei's life===
Before he ascended to the throne, his liaison with [[Fujiwara no Kusuko]], the mother of his one consort, caused a scandal.  Because of this scandal his father considered depriving him of the rank of [[crown prince]].

* '''785''': ({{nihongo foot|''[[Enryaku]] 4, 11th month''|延暦四年十一月}}): Heizei was appointed Crown Prince at the age of 12.<ref>[[#Brown-Ishida|Brown and Ishida]], p. 279</ref>
* '''April 9, 806''' <ref>Julian dates derived from [http://web.me.com/meyer.eva/www.yukikurete.de/nengo_calc.htm NengoCalc]</ref> ({{nihongo foot|''[[Daidō]] 1, 17th day of the 3rd month''|大同一年三月十七日}}): In the 25th year of Emperor Kanmu's reign, he died; and despite an ensuing dispute over who should follow him as sovereign, contemporary scholars then construed that the succession (''senso'') was received by his son.  Shortly thereafter, Emperor Heizei is said to have acceded to the throne (''sokui'').<ref>Titsingh, p. 95; [[#Brown-Ishida|Brown and Ishida]], p. 279; Varley, p. 44; a distinct act of ''senso'' is unrecognized prior to [[Emperor Tenji]]; and all sovereigns except [[Empress Jitō|Jitō]], [[Emperor Yōzei|Yōzei]], [[Emperor Go-Toba|Go-Toba]], and [[Emperor Fushimi|Fushimi]] have ''senso'' and ''sokui'' in the same year until the reign of [[Emperor Go-Murakami]].</ref>

His title Heizei was derived from the official name of the capital in Nara, Heizei Kyō.

During Heizei's reign, the bodyguards were reorganized; the existing Imperial Bodyguards became the Left Imperial Bodyguards, while the Middle Bodyguards became the Right Imperial Bodyguards.<ref name="b280">[[#Brown-Ishida|Brown and Ishida]], p. 280</ref>  Both sides were given a new Senior Commander; at this time Heizei appointed [[Sakanoue no Tamuramaro]] (758–811) as Senior Commander of the Imperial Bodyguards of the Right.<ref name="b280"/>  Under Emperor Kanmu, Tamuramaro had been appointed as ''[[shōgun]]'' of a military expedition against the [[Emishi]].<ref>[[#Brown-Ishida|Brown and Ishida]], p. 279; Varley, p. 272; Titsingh, p. 99.</ref>

* '''809''' ({{nihongo foot|''[[Daidō]] 4, 1st month''|大同四年一月}}): After a reign of four years, Heizei fell ill; and fearing that he would not survive, Heizei abdicated in favor of his younger brother, who would later come to be known as [[Emperor Saga]].<ref name = "b280"/>  After abdicating, Heizei moved to [[Nara, Nara|Nara]] and was henceforth known as ''Nara no Mikado'', the "Emperor of Nara".<ref name = "b280"/>
* '''May 18, 809''' ({{nihongo foot|''[[Daidō]] 4, 1st day of the 4th month''|大同四年四月一日}}): Emperor Saga was enthroned at age 24.<ref name = "b280"/>
* '''810''' (''[[Kōnin (era)|Kōnin]] 1''): In Heizei's name, the former emperor's ambitious third wife, {{nihongo|Kusuko|薬子}}, and her brother Nakanari organized an attempted rebellion, but their forces were defeated. Kusuko died in poison and her brother was executed. Heizei took the tonsure and became a [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] monk.<ref name="ponsonby318">Ponsonby-Fane, p. 318.  [[#Brown-Ishida|Brown and Ishida]], pp. 281</ref>
* '''August 5, 824''' ({{nihongo foot|''[[Tenchō]] 1, 7th day of the 7th month''|天長一年七月七日}}): Heizei died at age 51, 14 years after he had abdicated due to illness.<ref>[[#Brown-Ishida|Brown and Ishida]], p. 280; Varley, p. 151.</ref>

===Era of Heizei's reign===
The years of Heizei's reign are encompassed within one [[Japanese era names|era name]] (''nengō'').<ref>Titsingh, p. 96.</ref>
* ''[[Daidō]]'' (806–810)

==Kugyō==
{{nihongo|''[[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 period|Meiji]] eras.<ref>Furugosho:  [http://www.furugosho.com/moyenage/empereur-g2.htm ''Kugyō'' of Heizi-''tennō'']</ref>

In general, this elite group included only three to four men at a time.  These were hereditary courtiers whose experience and background would have brought them to the pinnacle of a life's career.  During Heizei's reign, this apex of the ''[[Daijō-kan]]'' included:
* ''[[Sadaijin]]'' (not appointed)
* ''[[Udaijin]]'', Miwa-no-Oh or Miwa-no-Ohkimi (神王), 798–806.<ref name="b279"/>
* ''Udaijin'', Fujiwara no Uchimaro (藤原内麿), 806–812.<ref name="b280"/>
* ''[[Naidaijin]]''
* ''[[Dainagon]]'', Fujiwara no Otomo (藤原雄友), 806–807

When the daughter of a ''[[chūnagon]]'' became the favored consort of the Crown Prince Ate (later known as Heizei''-tennō''), her father's power and position in court was affected. Kanmu disapproved of {{nihongo|Fujiwara no Kusuko|藤原薬子|d. 810}}, former wife of Fujiwara no Tadanushi; and Kanmu had her removed from his son's household.  After Kanmu died, Heizei restored this one-time favorite as part of his household; and this distinction had consequences.<ref name="ponsonby318"/>

* ''[[Chūnagon]]'', Fujiwara no Tadanushi<ref name="ponsonby318"/>

==Consorts and children==
{{further|topic=terms related to imperial consorts|Kōkyū#consorts}}

Empress (posthumously elevated ''[[Kōgō (empress)|Kōgō]]''): [[Fujiwara no Taishi (died 794)|Fujiwara no Tarashiko/''Taishi'']] (藤原帯子; d.794), [[Fujiwara no Momokawa]]’s daughter<ref>Ponsonby-Fane, P. 318; in 806, 12 years after death, this is first time this posthumously elevated rank was bestowed</ref>

''Hi'': Imperial Princess Asahara (朝原内親王; 779–817), 
[[Emperor Kanmu]]’s daughter

''Hi'': Imperial Princess Ōyake (大宅内親王; d.849), [[Emperor Kanmu]]’s daughter

''Hi'': Imperial Princess Kan'nabi (甘南美内親王; 800–817), [[Emperor Kanmu]]’s daughter

''Shōshi'' Court lady (''Naishi-no-kami''): {{nihongo|Fujiwara no Kusuko|藤原薬子|extra=d. 810}}, former wife of ''Chūnagon'' Fujiwara no Tadanushi<ref name="ponsonby318"/> and Fujiwara no Tanetsugu's daughter

''Hi'': Fujiwara Tadanushi's daughter

Court lady: Ise no Tsuguko (伊勢継子; 772–812), Ise no Ōna's daughter
*Third Prince: Imperial Prince Takaoka (高丘親王; 799–881), the Crown Prince in 809 (deposed in 810)
*Fourth prince: Imperial Prince Kose (巨勢親王; d. 882)
*Imperial Princess Kamitsukeno (上毛野内親王; d. 842)
*Imperial Princess Isonokami (石上内親王; d. 846)
*Third princess: Imperial Princess Ōhara (大原内親王; d. 863), 14th [[Saiō]] in [[Ise Shrine]] (806–809)

Court lady: Fujii no Fujiko/''Tōshi'' (葛井藤子), Fujii no Michiyori's daughter
*First Prince: Imperial [[Prince Abo]] (阿保親王)

Court lady: Ki no Iokazu (紀魚員), Ki no Kotsuo's daughter
*Imperial Princess Enu (叡努内親王; d. 835)

==Ancestry==
<ref name=descent>{{cite web|url=https://reichsarchiv.jp/%e5%ae%b6%e7%b3%bb%e3%83%aa%e3%82%b9%e3%83%88/%e5%a4%a9%e7%9a%87%e5%ae%b6#emp051|title=Genealogy|website=Reichsarchiv|date=April 30, 2010 |access-date=28 January 2018|language=ja}}</ref>
{{ahnentafel
|collapsed=yes |align=center
|boxstyle_1=background-color: #fcc;
|boxstyle_2=background-color: #fb9;
|boxstyle_3=background-color: #ffc;
|boxstyle_4=background-color: #bfc;
|1= 1. '''Emperor Heizei'''
|2= 2. [[Emperor Kanmu]] (737-806)
|3= 3. [[Fujiwara no Otomuro]] (760-790)
|4= 4. [[Emperor Kōnin]] (709–782)
|5= 5. [[Takano no Niigasa]] (c. 720-790)
|6= 6. [[Fujiwara no Yoshitsugu]] (716-777)
|7= 7. [[:ja:阿倍古美奈|Abe no Komina]] (d. 784)
|8= 8. [[:ja:志貴皇子|Prince Shiki]] (d. 716)
|9= 9. [[:ja:紀橡姫|Ki no Tochihime]] (d. 709)
|10=10. Yamato no Ototsugu 
|11=11. Haji no Maimo 
|12=12. [[Fujiwara no Umakai]] (694-737) 
|13=13. Isonokami no Kunimina no Ōtoji 
|14=14. [[:ja:阿倍粳蟲|Abe no Nukamushi]]  
|15= 
}}

==See also==
{{Portal|Japan|Biography}}
* [[Emperor of Japan]]
* [[List of Emperors of Japan]]
* [[Imperial cult]]

==Notes==
[[File:Imperial Seal of Japan.svg|thumb|right|120px|[[Imperial Seal of Japan|Japanese Imperial kamon]] — a stylized [[chrysanthemum]] blossom]]
{{Reflist}}

==References==
* {{cite book|author=Brown, Delmer M.|author2=Ishida, Ichirō|year=1979|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w4f5FrmIJKIC&q=Gukansho|title=''The Future and the Past''|publisher=Berkeley: University of California Press.|format=a translation and study of the [[Gukanshō]], an interpretive history of Japan written in 1219|isbn=978-0-520-03460-0|oclc=251325323|ref=Brown-Ishida}}
* {{cite web | url=http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/ryobo/guide/051/index.html | script-title=ja:平城天皇 山桃陵 | access-date=February 4, 2011 | author=Imperial Household Agency | language=ja |trans-title=Emperor Heizei, Yamamomo Imperial Mausoleum | year=2004 | ref=Kunaichō}}
* [[Richard Ponsonby-Fane|Ponsonby-Fane, Richard Arthur Brabazon]]. (1959). [https://books.google.com/books?id=SLAeAAAAMAAJ&q=The+Imperial+House+of+Japan  ''The Imperial House of Japan''.] Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society. {{OCLC|194887}}
* [[Isaac Titsingh|Titsingh, Isaac.]] (1834). ''[[Nihon Ōdai Ichiran]]''; ou, [https://books.google.com/books?id=18oNAAAAIAAJ&q=nipon+o+dai+itsi+ran  ''Annales des empereurs du Japon''.]  Paris: Royal Asiatic Society, Oriental Translation Fund of Great Britain and Ireland.  {{OCLC|5850691}}
* [[H. Paul Varley|Varley, H. Paul.]] (1980). [https://books.google.com/books?id=tVv6OAAACAAJ  ''Jinnō Shōtōki: A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns''.] New York: Columbia University Press. {{ISBN|978-0-231-04940-5}};  {{OCLC|59145842}}

{{S-start}}
{{s-reg}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Emperor Kanmu]]}} 
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Emperors of Japan|Emperor of Japan]]:<br>Heizei|years=806–809}} 
{{s-aft|after=[[Emperor Saga]]}}
{{S-end}}
{{Emperors of Japan}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Heizei}}
[[Category:Emperors of Japan]]
[[Category:773 births]]
[[Category:824 deaths]]
[[Category:People of Heian-period Japan]]
[[Category:People of Nara-period Japan]]
[[Category:9th-century Japanese monarchs]]
[[Category:Buddhist clergy of Heian-period Japan]]
[[Category:Japanese Buddhist monarchs]]
[[Category:Japanese emperors who abdicated]]