Emperor Shirakawa
| Shirakawa | |
|---|---|
| Emperor of Japan | |
 |
|
| Reign | 1073–1087 |
| Predecessor | Go-Sanjō |
| Successor | Horikawa |
| Born | July 7, 1053 |
| Died | July 24, 1129 (aged 76) |
| Burial | Jōbodai-in no misasagi (Kyoto) |
| Spouse | Fujiwara no Kenshi |
Emperor Shirakawa (白河天皇 Shirakawa-tennō?, July 7, 1053 – July 24, 1129) was the 72nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.
Shirakawa's reign lasted from 1073 to 1087.
Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name (imina) was Sadahito-shinnō (貞仁親王).
He was the eldest son of Emperor Go-Sanjō and Fujiwara Shigeko (藤原茂子).
Shirakawa had one Empress and one Imperial Consort and nine Imperial sons and daughters.
He was the first emperor to ostensibly retire to a monastery, but in fact continue to exert considerable influence over his successor. This process would become known as cloistered rule.
When he was very young, his relations with his father were very cold, but in 1068, when his father was enthroned, he was proclaimed a shinnō (Imperial Prince), becoming Imperial Prince Sadahito. In 1069, he became Crown Prince and in due course, he became emperor at the age of 19.
A kampaku was put in place, but Shirakawa attempted to rule directly, like his father. He attempted to regulate the shōen (manor) system, working to weaken the influence of the sekkan lines.
Go-Sanjō had wished for Shirakawa's younger half-brother to succeed him to the throne. In 1085, this half-brother died of an illness; and Shirakawa's own son, Taruhito-shinnō (善仁親王) became Crown Prince.
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