6 May 850 : In the 17th year of Ninmyō-tennō 's reign, the emperor died; and his eldest son received the succession.
850 : Emperor Montoku formally acceded to the throne.
850 : The widow of Emperor Saga, who was also the mother of Emperor Ninmyō and the grandmother of Emperor Montoku, died. This very devout Buddhist had founded a temple called Danrin-ji on the site of present-day Tenryū-ji – more formally known as Tenryū Shiseizen-ji, located in what is now Susukinobaba-chō, Ukyō Ward in Kyoto, Before her death, the former empress had been known by the honorific title, Danrin-kōgō ; and she had been honored as if she were a saint.
850 : The emperor named Korehito-shinnō, the 4th son of Emperor Montoku as his heir. This 9-month-old baby was also the grandson of udaijinFujiwara no Yoshifusa.
853 : The emperor visited the home of udaijin Yoshifusa, the grandfather of his designated heir.
11 July 854 : The saidaijin Minamoto no Tokiwa, also known as Minamoto no Tsune, died at age 43.
855 : The Emishi organized a rebellion; and in response, a force of 1,000 men and provisions were sent to the north.
855 : The head of the great statute of Buddha in the Tōdai-ji fell off; and in consequence, the emperor ordered the then dainagonFujiwara no Yoshisuke, the brother of sadaijin Yoshifusa, to be in charge of gathering the gifts of the pious from throughout the empire to make another head for the Daibutsu.
The actual site of Montoku's grave is known. This emperor is traditionally venerated at a memorialShinto shrine at Kyoto. The Imperial Household Agency designates this location as Montoku's mausoleum. It is formally named Tamura 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. 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 Montoku's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:
Daijō-daijin, Fujiwara no Yoshifusa , 804–872.
Sadaijin, Minamoto no Tokiwa , 812–854.
Sadaijin, Minamoto no Makoto , 810–868.
Udaijin, Fujiwara no Yoshifusa , 804–872.
Udaijin, Fujiwara no Yoshimi , 813–867.
Naidaijin
Dainagon
Eras of Montoku's reign
The years of Montoku's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.
Kashō
Ninju
Saikō
Ten'an
Consorts and children
Consort : Fujiwara no Akirakeiko, also known as Somedono-no-Kisaki, Fujiwara no Yoshifusa’s daughter.
Third Daughter: Imperial Princess Gishi, 6th Saiin in Kamo Shrine 859–876
Consort : Fujiwara no Koshi/Furuko, Fujiwara no Fuyutsugu's daughter Consort : Fujiwara no Takakiko, Fujiwara no Yoshimi's daughter Consort : Princess Azumako Consort : Fujiwara no Nenshi/Toshiko Consort : Fujiwara no Koreko Consort : Tachibana no Fusako, Tachibana no Ujikimi's daughter Consort : Tachibana no Chushi, Tachibana no Ujikimi's daughter Consort : Ki no Shizuko, Ki no Natora's daughter
First Son: Imperial Prince Koretaka
Second son: Imperial Prince Koreeda
Imperial Princess Tenshi, 20th Saiō in Ise Shrine 859–876
