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Emperor Sutoku

Type Figure Region Japan Time 1119–1164 Also known as Akihito、Sugano-in、Haiso-in

Emperor Sutoku (1119–1164), 75th emperor of Japan, reigned 1123–1142. His biological father is said to have been Retired Emperor Shirakawa, casting a…

Timeline

  1. 1119–1131Heian-kyō · Kinki regionEmperor Sutoku was born in 1119 and acceded in 1123 (Hōan 4) at the age of four, becoming the 75th emperor of Japan. His biological father is said to have been Retired Emperor Shirakawa, and this doubt kept him always distant from his nominal father Emperor Toba.
  2. 1131–1142Heian-kyō · Kinki regionDuring his reign Retired Emperor Toba dominated government through cloistered rule, and Emperor Sutoku had limited real power. In 1142 (Eiji 1) he was forced to abdicate to Emperor Konoe, after which he sought to return to the center of power as a retired emperor.
  3. 1156Heian-kyō · Kinki regionIn 1156 Retired Emperor Toba died, and Retired Emperor Sutoku joined forces with Fujiwara no Yasunaga and Minamoto no Tameyori to raise troops, known historically as the Hōgen War. Because Emperor Go-Shirakawa's side was swiftly suppressed by warriors such as Taira no Kiyomori, Retired Emperor Sutoku was defeated and captured, then exiled to Shikoku.
  4. 1156–1164Sanuki Province · Shikoku regionAfter his defeat in the Hōgen War, Retired Emperor Sutoku was exiled to Sanuki Province, where in solitude he transcribed the five Mahāyāna scriptures, praying for the salvation of the dead, but the court refused to accept his offerings. The retired emperor died in grief and anger, and after death was enshrined as a vengeful spirit; successive courts built temples to worship him in hopes of appeasing him.

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