Emperor Sanjō

Timeline

1. 976–986Heian-kyō · KyotoSanjō was the third prince of Emperor Ichijō; he acceded in 986 after Ichijō's abdication, era name Kankō. At the start of his reign court affairs were still controlled by courtiers such as Fujiwara no Michinaga; though personal rule was nominally established, real power gradually shifted to maternal relatives.
2. 996–1010Heian-kyō Dairi · KyotoEmperor Sanjō wished to make his own prince heir, clashing fiercely with Fujiwara no Michinaga who pushed his own grandson. The two repeatedly contended over appointment and dismissal of the kanpaku, succession, and abdication terms; the emperor once refused to sign Michinaga's kanpaku appointment, and finally, due to eye disease and political isolation, abdicated in 1011.
3. 1011–1017Heian-kyō · KyotoIn 1011 Emperor Sanjō abdicated to Prince Atsuhira (later Emperor Ichijō), taking the title Sanjō-in. After abdication he still attempted to intervene in court affairs without success; in 1017 he died of worsening eye disease and was buried outside the capital. His political defeat consolidated the Fujiwara Hokke sekkan monopoly.