Emperor Suzaku was the 61st emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Suzaku's reign spanned the years from 930 through 946.

Biography

Before he ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name (imina) was Hiroakira-shinnō. He was also known as Yutaakira-shinnō. Hiroakira-shinnō was the 11th son of Emperor Daigo and Empress Consort Onshi, a daughter of the regent and great minister of the council of state, Fujiwara no Mototsune. Suzaku had two Empresses or consorts and one Imperial daughter.

Events of Suzaku's life

Suzaku's older brother died unexpectedly young, as did his brother's son. These untimely deaths opened the way for Suzaku to accede to the throne. The actual site of Suzaku's grave is known. This emperor is traditionally venerated at a memorial Shinto shrine (misasagi) at Kyoto. The Imperial Household Agency designates this location as Suzaku's mausoleum. It is formally named Daigo no misasagi in Fushimi-ku, Kyoto near the Buddhist temple, Daigo-ji.

Kugyō

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 eras. This elite group generally included only three to four men at a time. These were hereditary courtiers whose experience and background had brought them to the pinnacle of a life's career. During Suzaku's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:

Eras of Suzaku's reign

The years of Suzaku's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.

Ancestry