Emperor Daigo

Emperor Daigo (885 – 930) was the sixtieth Emperor. He reigned from August 14, 897 to October 16, 930, during the Heian Period. He was known for the Shotei Incident that lead to the banishment of Sugawara no Michizane.

Daigo was the first prince of Emperor Uda and Fujiwara no Inshi (or Taneko). His personal name was Atsuhito (or Ono-tei). Daigo’s grandfather was Emperor Koko. Emperor Koko wished to reduce expenses, so he demoted several of his sons to commoners. Daigo’s parents had married while his father was not in the Imperial House, therefore, his father had the name Minamoto no Sadami, and Daigo’s birth name was Minamoto no Korezane. Their names changed when Sadami re-entered the Imperial Family and became Emperor Uda — thus Daigo’s name of Atsuhito.

Atsuhito became crown prince and later had a coming-of-age ceremony and succeeded to the throne as Emperor Daigo. Emperor Daigo, following some of his father’s precepts for his rule, appointed Fujiwara no Tokihira as Sadaijin (Minister of the Left) and Sugawara no Michizane to serve as Udajin (Minister of the Right).  His father, Emperor Uda, had made great efforts to re-gain the independent power of the emperor. Emperor Uda had worked with and trusted the counsel of Sugawara no Michizane and Fujiwara no Tokihira was the son of Fujiwara no Mototsune, who had served Emperor Uda over the years. Emperor Uda’s idea was that Daigo should rule without a regent.

The reign of Emperor Daigo was known for three things: it was admired as ‘Engi no chi (the peaceful era of Engi),’ which continued for 34 years; he ruled without a regent; and Shotai no Hen (the Shotai Incident).

Shotai no Hen (the Shotai Incident)

In 901, led by Fujiwara no Tokihira, several conspirators made false charges against Sugawara no Michizane, which resulted in Michinaga’s demotion, his banishment, and his tragic death.  Over the ensuing years, the conspirators all died young and in tragic circumstances. Emperor Daigo lost two crown princes, his sons, both dying early in life. Floods devastated the country and lightning struck the imperial palace killing and injuring many in the fire that resulted. These events were blamed on Michinaga’s vengeful spirit and was considered the biggest mistake of the Daigo’s reign.

In order to atone for their misdeeds, Emperor Daigo ordered the records of Michinaga’s demotion destroyed and his position re-instated. Michinaga was deified and Kitano Tenmangū was built in his honor.

On October 16, 930, Daigo abdicated due to illness and passed the throne to Crown Prince Hiroakira (Emperor Suzaku). On October 30, 930, he entered the Buddhist priesthood, taking the Buddhist name Hō-kongō and, shortly thereafter, died at the age of 46. 

Daigo had twenty-one empresses, consorts, and concubines and thirty-six sons and daughters. From his union with Empress Fujiwara no Onshi (885 – 954), the daughter of Fujiwara no Mototsune, came two emperors, Emperor Suzaku and Emperor Murakami.

After Emperor Daigo and his father, Emperor Uda, died, Daigo’s empress, Fujiwara no Onshi, was the mother of young Emperor Suzaku as well the Crown Prince Murakami. She became very influential, creating a new status as mother of the Emperor and caretaker of a child emperor. She continued to live with Emperor Suzaku and later acted as mediator between her two emperor sons. In 950 she was influential in appointing Noriki as crown prince.