Junnin: Haitai, the dethroned emperor

Emperor Junnin (733 – November 10, 765) was the 47th emperor of Japan and his reign spanned the years 758 to 764. He was a grandson of Emperor Tenmu.

After Empress Kōken (718 – 770) abdicated, she named Emperor Junnin as her successor. Junnin was more of a figurehead and only did ceremonial functions. Fujiwara no Nakamaro began ruling the country de facto.  However, the retired Empress Kōken wanted to control government affairs. The resulting conflict with Nakamaro ended in the Fujiwara no Nakamaro Rebellion, ending when Nakamaro was killed. After the rebellion, the former empress reclaimed the throne as Empress Shōtoku forcing Junnin to abdicate.

Poor guy got no respect. His father died when he was three, but he was not given any rank or office at the court. In the older Japanese documents, he is usually referred to as Haitai, the dethroned emperor. Though Junnin had, technically, been emperor, he was not featured on the official List of Japanese Emperors until the late nineteenth century.  Not only did he die in exile, but his gravesite is unknown. The posthumous name of Emperor Junnin was given by Emperor Meiji a thousand years after he had died.