Emperor Junnin

Junnin
Emperor of Japan
Reign	758–764
Predecessor	Kōken
Successor	Shōtoku
Born	733
Died	10 November 765 Awaji Island (Hyōgo)
Burial	Awaji no misasagi (Hyōgo)

Emperor Junnin (淳仁天皇, Junnin-tennō, 733–10 November 765) was the 47th emperor of Japan,^[1] according to the traditional order of succession.^[2] His reign started in 758 and ended in 764.^[3]

Traditional narrative

Before he became the monarch, this prince's personal name (imina) was Ōi-shinnō (Ōi-no-ō).^[4] The posthumous name of Emperor Junnin was given by Emperor Meiji.

He was the seventh son of Prince Toneri, a son of Emperor Temmu.^[5] His father died when he was at the age of three, and he was given no rank nor office of the court.

In the older Japanese documents, he was often referred as the "unthroned emperor" (廃帝, Haitei).

Events of Junnin's life

His fate was changed in 757 when Empress Kōken named him as her heir (crown prince).

• 7 September 758 (Tenpyō-shōhō 2, 1st day of the 8th month): In the 10th year of Kōken's reign, the empress abdicated. The succession (senso) was received by her adopted son. Then Emperor Jimmu is said to have acceded to the throne (sokui).^[6] This was confirmed in ceremonies.^[7]
• 760 (Tenpyō-hōji 4): New coins were minted.^[8]
• 764 (Tenpyō-hōji 8): Junnnin was sent in exile to Awaji.^[9]
• 10 November 765 (Tenpyō-jingo 1, 23rd Day of the 10th Month): Former Emperor Junnin died in exile.

Junnin caused grain storage centers (Jōheisō) to be established in the provinces. The government stored rice from the years of good harvests. This rice was used to control higher prices when harvests of rice were not good. The Jōheisō were abolished during the Kamakura period.^[10]

After his death

The mausoleum (misasagi) of Emperor Junnin in Awaji Province.

The actual site of Junnin's grave is known.^[1] This emperor is traditionally venerated at a memorial Shinto shrine (misasagi) at Awaji.^[11]

The Imperial Household Agency designates this location as Junnin's mausoleum. It is formally named Awaji no misasagi.^[12]

In 1870, Emperor Meiji conferred the posthumous name and title by which he is now known.

Era of Junnin's reign

The years of Junnin's reign are identified by a single era name.^[13]

• Tenpyō-hōji (758-765)

Related pages

• Emperor of Japan
• List of emperors of Japan
• Japanese imperial family tree

References

The chrysanthemum symbol of the Japanese emperor and his family

1. Imperial Household Agency (Kunaichō), 淳仁天皇 (47); retrieved 2011-10-26.
2. Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1959). The Imperial House of Japan, p. 59.
3. Titsingh, Isaac. (1834). Annales des empereurs du japon, pp. 75-78; Brown, Delmer et al. (1979). Gukanshō, p. 275; Varley, H. Paul. (1980). Jinnō Shōtōki. p. 143-144.
4. Brown, Gukanshō, p. 275; Varley, p. 143.
5. Brown, p. 275.
6. Titsingh, p. 75; Brown, p. 275.
7. Varley, p. 44; a distinct act of senso is unrecognized prior to Emperor Tenji; and all sovereigns except Jitō, Yōzei, Go-Toba, and Fushimi have senso and sokui in the same year until the reign of Emperor Go-Murakami. Compare Imperial Household Agency (Kunaichō), Ceremony of Accession (Sokui-no-Rei); retrieved 2011-12-23.
8. Appert, Georges. (1888). Ancien japon, pp. 29-30.
9. Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Junnin Tennō" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 437.
10. Nussbaum, "Jōheisō" at p. 429.
11. Junnin did not appear on the official List of Emperors of Japan until the late 19th century.
12. Ponsonby-Fane, p. 420.
13. Titsingh, pp. 75-78.

Preceded by Empress Koken

Emperor of Japan Junnin 758–764

Succeeded by Empress Shōtoku