Emperor Seiwa (清和天皇) (Third month, 25th day, 850 - Twelth month, 4th day, 880) was the 56th imperial ruler of Japan. He reigned from the eleventh month, 7th day, 858 until the eleventh month, 29th day, 876. His birth name was Korehito (惟仁).

Geneology

He was the fourth son of Emperor Montoku. His mother was a court lady named Meishi or Akirakeiko (明子), the daughter of Fujiwara no Yoshifusa (藤原良房). He was the younger half-brother of Imperial Prince Koretaka (惟喬親王) (lived 844-897)

• 868-949 Imperial Prince Sadaakira (貞明親王) (Emperor Yōzei)
• 870-924 Imperial Prince Sadayasu (貞保親王)
• ???-930 Imperial Princess Atusko? (敦子内親王)
• ???-930 Imperial Prince Sadamoto (貞固親王)
• 873-916 Imperial Prince Sadasumi (貞純親王) - father of Minamoto no Tsunemoto (源経基), founder of the Seiwa Genji, from whom the Kamakura shogunate and the Ashikaga shogunate were both descended, as well as from whom the Tokugawa shogunate claimed descent
• 874-906 Imperial Princess Shikiko (識子内親王) saigū (Imperial Princess serving at Ise Shrine)
• 874-929 Imperial Prince Sadatoki (貞辰親王)
• 875-916 Imperial Prince Sadakazu (貞数親王)
• 876-922 Imperial Prince Sadayori (貞頼親王)
• 876-932 Imperial Prince Sada?? (貞真親王)

Many other children, most of whom descended to subject status as members of the Minamoto Clan (Seiwa Genji, specifically)

Life

Originally under the guardianship of his maternal grandfather Fujiwara no Yoshifusa, he displaced Imperial Prince Koretaka (惟喬親王) as Crown Prince. Upon the death of his father in 858, Emperor Montoku, he became Emperor at the age of 8, but the real power was held by his grandfather, Yoshifusa.

• 850 Birth. In the same year, investure as Crown Prince
• 858 Enthronement
• 876 Abdicates suddenly, enters Buddhist monastary
• 880 Dies

Names

From the site of his tomb, he was also referred to as Mizunoo (水尾) (see also Emperor Go-Mizunoo)

Eras of his reign

• Tennan
• Jōgan