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Insei system

Type Object Region Japan Time 1050–1185

The insei was a political system of late Heian Japan in which a retired emperor (jōkō) conducted government affairs from the in no chō;…

Timeline

  1. 1050–1070Heian-kyō · Heian periodIn the mid-11th century, infighting within the Fujiwara regent house intensified, Emperor Go-Suzaku's attempts at personal rule weakened the maternal relatives, and retired emperors began to accumulate resources in the in no chō, laying the political foundation for the insei system.
  2. 1086–1129Shirakawa-in (Heian-kyō) · Heian periodAfter abdicating in 1086, Emperor Shirakawa established the in no chō as retired emperor, overseeing shōen domains, estates, and warriors, formally establishing the insei system and sidelining the authority of the court and the regent house.
  3. 1129–1185Heian-kyō and surroundings · Heian periodRetired Emperors Toba and Sutoku continued the insei, relying on Minamoto and Taira warriors during the Hōgen and Heiji Disturbances; insei power deepened along with militarization, and was ultimately replaced by warrior (buke) government.

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