Emperor Sakuramachi

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Emperor Sakuramachi (1720 - 1750), was the 115th emperor of Japan according to the traditional count. He reigned as emperor from 13 April 1734 until he abdicated the throne in favor of his son, Emperor Momozono on 9 June 1747.

Name

Emperor Sakuramachi
Japanese name
Kanji 桜町天皇

During the Emperor' life, in accordance with Japanese custom, his personal name would never have been used. He would have been referred to only as "His Majesty the Emperor" (天皇陛下 Tennō Heika), but the title could be shortened to Heika (陛下 "Your Majesty").

After his death, he assumed his definitive posthumous name, Sakuramachi-tennō (桜町天皇 Emperor Sakuramachi) and in keeping with the correct naming convention, this article will refer to him as Emperor Sakuramachi, where appropriate.

Early life

Emperor Sakuramachi was born on 8 February 1720, as Imperial Prince Teruhito (照仁), the eldest son of the Emperor Nakamikado and the Lady-in-Waiting Konoe Hisako (近衛 尚子).

Prince Toohito was invested as Crown Prince (Kōtaishi 皇太子) in 1728. He married Nijō Ieko (二条舎子), who would become the Dowager Empress, with whom he had two daughters. The first born, Princess Moriko (盛子), died in infancy, whilst her sister, Princess Toshiko (智子), would succeed her younger brother on the Chrysanthemum Throne, as Empress Go-Sakuramachi.

He also fathered a son, Prince Toohito (遐仁), with the Lady-in-Waiting Anekōji Sadako (姉小路定子), who would succeed him as Emperor Momozono.

His Reign

Emperor Sakuramachi was a gifted scholar, much renowned for his tanka poetry. His artistic nature led to many saying he was the reincarnation of the legendary Prince Shōtoku.[1] As a result of this belief, supported by Shōgun Tokugawa Yoshimune, Emperor Sakuramachi set about restoring several important Imperial rites. These included the ceremonial rice offerings by the Emperor (Daijōsai 大嘗祭 and Shinjōsai 新嘗祭).

However, this was his own undoing. Although power still rested with the Shōgunate and the Emperor's role was purely ceremonial, his actions led to the rise of the sonnō (尊王, "reverence for the Emperor"), and kinnō (勤王 "loyalty to the Emperor") movements amongst court followers. Although these were later suppressed during the Hōreki Incident, the Shōgunate became worried, and after exerting pressure, Emperor Sakuramachi abdicated the throne on 9 June 1747.

He lived quietly in retirement and passed away on 28 May 1750 at the age of 30. His remains are interred in the Tsukinowa no misasagi (月輪陵) in Kyoto.

Eras of the Emperor's Reign

Emperor Sakuramachi's reign spanned four different eras (年号 nengō). It was only with the commencement of Emperor Meiji's reign that the system of "one reign, one era" (一世一元 issei-ichigen) came into use, meaning that era names would only change with Imperial succession.

Kyōhō

Kyōhō nengō (享保年号) spanned the years from 1716 through 1736, with Kyōhō gannen (享保元年, "first year of Kyōhō") being declared on the 22nd day of the 6th month of Shōtoku 6, following the death of the 7th Shōgun, Tokugawa Ietsugu. The name means "Undergoing and Supporting".

Events during the Era

  • Kyōhō 2 (1717) - The new Shōgun, Tokugawa Yoshimune, implements the so-called "Kyōhō reforms". These were designed to improve the financial situation of the Edo-based Shōgunate, to try and resolve the ongoing economic crisis and increasing rural unrest. As well replacing corrupt officials and appointed a group of about 20 personally selected advisers, to consult with on financial matters. It also focused on city security, schooling, performance of the daimyo and merchant classes, improved administration and conditions in the rural areas. It also began implementing long-term strategies to expand domestic output; measures which would become vital, following the Kyōhō famine.[2]
  • Kyōhō 3 (1718) - The Shōgunage, in a sign of good faith, undertook and paid for, repairs to the Imperial mausolea.
  • Kyōhō 6, 8th month (1718): As part of the ongoing Kyōhō reforms, petition boxes (目安箱 meyasubako) were set up, to gain new information, especially on such matters as corruption and bribery.
  • Kyōhō 6 (1721) - Edo's population exceeds 1 million, making it the world's largest city.[3]
  • Kyōhō 15 (1730) - A further development of the Kyōhō reforms sees the Tokugawa shogunate recognising the Dojima Rice Market in Osaka and employing officials to oversee the collection of taxes.Improved agriculture methods results in improved crop yields and a fall in price of rice.
  • Kyōhō 15, 6th month (3 August 1730): More than 3.500 homes are destroyed during a fire in Muromachi.
  • Kyōhō 17 (1732) - Locust swarms devastate crops, resulting in the Great Kyōhō Famine.

Genbun

Genbun nengō (元文年号) spanned the years from 1736 through 1741, with Genbun gannen (元文元年, "first year of Genbun") being declared on the 21st day of the 4th month of Kyōhō 21 to commemorate the enthronement of Emperor Sakuramachi. The name means "Original Literature".

Events during the Era

  • Genbun 1 (1736) - Ina further attempt to initiate financial controls and standardise the country's currency, the Shōgunage decreed that only copper coins, marked with the character 文 (pronounced "bun" in Japanese) would be the authorised coinage of the Empire.[4]
  • Genbun 2, 11th month (1737): A comet, always seen as an omen, is noticed in the western sky.
  • Genbun 3 (1738) - The Emperor performs the Daijōsai (大嘗祭) Shinto ritual. This is a ceremonial rice-offering by a newly crowned Emperor.
  • Genbun 5, (8 August 1740): The famous Sanjo Bridge is washed away during floods in Heian-kyō. .
  • Genbun 5, (11 January 1741): The Niiname-matsuri ceremony is performed for the first time in 280 years.[5]

Kampō

Kampō nengō (寛保年号) spanned the years from 1741 through 1744, with Kampō gannen (寛保元年, "first year of Kampō") being declared on the 27th day of the 2nd month of Genbun 6 to commemorate the 58th Chinese zodiac's sexagenarian cycle, believed to be a time of great change. The name means "Keeping Generous".

Events during the Era

  • Kanpō 2 (1742) - A new comet is recorded as being seen in the sky.
  • Kanpō 2, (September 1742) - Heavy rains result in flooding throughout the country, and the newly-rebuilt Sanjo Bridge is washed away again.

Enkyō

Enkyō nengō (延享年号) spanned the years from 1744 through 1748, with Enkyō gannen (延享元年, "first year of Enkyō") being declared to commemorate the start of a new 60-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac. The name means "Becoming Prolonged".

Events during the Era

  • Enkyō 1 (1744) - A great comet (likely what is today known as De Cheseaux's Comet) lit up the night sky for many months.[6]
  • Enkyō 2 (1745) - Tokugawa Ieshige became the new Shōgun.
  • Enkyō 3 (1746) - A great fire destroys much of Edo.
  • Enkyō 4 (1747) - Emperor Sakuramachi abdicates the throne in favour of his young son.

References

  1. ↑ Prince Shōtoku (聖徳太子 Shōtoku Taishi), was a legendary regent during the 7th century's Asuka period. An early patron of Buddhism, he brought about a golden era of Japanese art and culture, as well as initiating peaceful relations with Japan's neighbours. Still held with high esteem by the Japanese, his image has frequently appeared on post-war banknotes. He is also credited with the first use of "Nihon" (sun-origin) to describe Japan, in a letter sent to the Sui Emperor, Yangdi, in 607, which began, ""From the sovereign of the land of the rising sun, to the sovereign of the land of the setting sun."
  2. ↑ Totman, Conrad D.; Early Modern Japan; University of California Press; 1995, pg 296
  3. ↑ Foreign Press Center; Japan: Eyes on the Country, Views of the 47 Prefectures; 1997; p. 127.
  4. ↑ Screech, Timon; Secret Memoirs of the Shoguns: Isaac Titsingh and Japan, 1779-1822; RoutledgeCurzon; 2006
  5. ↑ Ponsonby-Fane, Richard; Kyoto: the Old Capital of Japan, 794-1869; 1956; p. 321
  6. ↑ http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1988AcASn..29..199Z

Biblography

  • The Imperial Household Ministry Sakuramachi Chapter Volumes 1 - 2 volume of Annals of the Emperor; 2006; ISBN 484332034X (宮内省図書寮 編『桜町天皇実録』1～2巻（ゆまに書房、2006年)
  • Totman, Conrad D.; Early Modern Japan; University of California Press; 1995; ISBN 0520203569
  • Hall, John Whitney; The Cambridge History of Japan, v4: "Early Modern Japan."; Cambridge University Press; 1988
  • Screech, Timon; Secret Memoirs of the Shoguns: Isaac Titsingh and Japan, 1779-1822; RoutledgeCurzon; 2006
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