Emperor Reigen of Japan - Definition and Overview

Emperor Reigen (霊元天皇) (July 9, 1654 - September 24, 1732) was the 112th imperial ruler of Japan. Reigen reigned from March 5, 1663 until May 2, 1687. His personal name was Satohito (識仁) and his title was Ate-no-miya (高貴宮)

Geneology

Reigen was the 16th son of Emperor Go-Mizunoo. His mother was the daughter of the Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal Sono Kion (?, 内大臣園基音), Lady in Waiting Kuniko (?, 国子).

Name

His posthumous name was created during the Meiji Era by combining the kanji from the names of two previous Emperors, Kōrei (孝霊, 290-215 BC) and Kōgen (孝元, 214-158 BC).

Life

• 1654 - Becomes heir upon the death of his eldest brother, Emperor Go-Kōmyō
• 1663 - Ascends the throne upon the abdication of his elder brother, Emperor Go-Sai
• 1687 - Begins to rule as a cloistered emperor, abdicating in favor of Imperial Prince Asahito ( Emperor Higashiyama)
• 1713 - Enters a monastary under the name Sojō (?, 素浄)
• 1732 - Dies

Eras of his reign

• Kambun
• Empō
• Tenna
• Jōkyō