Emperor Go-Ichijō was the 68th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Go-Ichijō's reign spanned the years from 1016 through 1036. This 11th century sovereign was named after Emperor Ichijō and go-, translates literally as "later;" and thus, he is sometimes called the "Later Emperor Ichijō", or, in some older sources, may be identified as " Emperor Ichijō, the second."
Biography
Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name was Atsuhira-shinnō. He was also known as Atsunari-shinnō. Atsuhira was the second son of Emperor Ichijō. His mother, Fujiwara no Akiko/Shōshi , was a daughter of Fujiwara no Michinaga. In her later years, Ichijō's chūgo consort was known as Jōtō-mon In.
March 10, 1016 : In the 5th year of Emperor Sanjō's reign, he abdicated; and the succession was received by a cousin. Shortly thereafter, Emperor Go-Ichijō is said to have acceded to the throne.
During the initial years of Go-Ichijō's reign, Fujiwara no Michinaga actually ruled from his position as sesshō.
June 5, 1017 : The former-Emperor Sanjō died at the age of 41.
1017 : Prince Atsuakira, the eldest son of Emperor Sanjo, had been named Crown Prince. But after he is struck by a skin disease and intense pressure from Michinaga; he withdrew from this role and his younger brother, Prince Atsunaga, was named Crown Prince in his place.
1017 : Michinaga made a pilgrimage to the Iwashimizu Shrine accompanied by many courtiers. The travelers divided themselves amongst 15 boats for a floating trip down the Yotogawa River. One of the vessels overturned, and more than 30 people lost their lives.
1017 : Michinaga was elevated to the office of Daijō-Diajin.
May 15, 1036 : Emperor Go-Ichijō died at the age of 27.
The actual site of Go-Ichijō's grave is known. This emperor is traditionally venerated at a memorialShinto shrine at Kyoto. The Imperial Household Agency designates this location as Go-Ichijō's mausoleum. It is formally named Bodaijuin no misasagi.
Kugyō
Kugyō is a collective term for the very few most powerful men attached to the court of the Emperor of Japan in pre-Meiji eras. Even during those years in which the court's actual influence outside the palace walls was minimal, the hierarchic organization persisted. In general, this elite group included only three to four men at a time. These were hereditary courtiers whose experience and background would have brought them to the pinnacle of a life's career. During Go-Ichijō's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:
