Cloistered Emperor


A cloistered emperor was a Japanese emperor who abdicated and entered the Buddhist monastic community by receiving the Pravrajya rite. The term can also be shortened to.
Cloistered emperors sometimes acted as Daijō Tennō, therefore maintaining effective power. This title was first assumed by Emperor Shōmu and was later used by many other emperors who "took the tonsure", signifying a decision to become a Buddhist monk.

List of retired emperors who became monks

Edo period

The last cloistered emperor was Emperor Reigen, in the Edo period.