Emperor Konin

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Emperor Kōnin (光仁天皇 Kōnin Tennō) (November 18, 709^[1] – January 11, 782^[2]) was the 49th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. He reigned from 770 to 781. His birth name was Shirakabe Ō.

He was a son of Prince Shiki and a grandson of Emperor Tenji. Initially, he was not in line for succession, as Emperor Temmu and his branch held the throne. He married Imperial Princess Ikami, a daughter of Emperor Shōmu, producing a daughter and a son.

After his sister in law, Empress Shōtoku (also Empress Kōken), died, he was named her heir. The high courtiers claimed the empress had left her will in a letter in which she had appointed him as her successor. Prior to this, he had been considered a gentle man without political ambition.

Kōnin attempted to reconstruct the state finance and administrative organisations, which had been corrupted under the reign of Empress Kōken.

After some months, Princess Ikami was promoted to empress and her son became the crown prince. Later, she was accused of cursing her husband, Kōnin. Today, it is believed this accusation was revenge for depriving her son of the throne. Princess Ikami was stripped of the rank of the consort, and died soon after from illness, at least according to the official documentation.

After her death, Prince Yamabe, a son of Kōnin's by his concubine, Takano no Niigasa (former Yamato no Niigasa), who is said to be a descendant of King Muryeong of Baekje, was named crown prince.

[edit] Notes

^ November 18, 709 of the Julian calendar corresponds to the Thirteenth Day of the Tenth Month of the Second Year of Wadō of the Japanese lunisolar calendar.
^ January 11, 782 of the Julian calendar corresponds to the Twenty-third Day of the Twelfth Month of the Twelfth Year of Hōki of the Japanese lunisolar calendar.