The oldest Royal family in the world (7) 2016/06/01
The time of young and child Emperors
Heian era began in 794 and continued for 400 years. There were 33 Emperors in that era, beginning with 50th Emperor Kanmu and ending with 82nd Emperor Gotoba.
Among 33 Emperors, to our surprise, as many as 19 Emperors took the position when they were under 20 years old. Moreover among those 19 Emperors, 12 Emperors took the position under 9 years old.
What does this mean?
Among ruling powers of that time, Royal family still kept the mast important roles in religious world and rituals, however they did little in politics and left such works to powerful officers. In other words, Kanmu tried hard to establish centralized bureaucratic system which worked out well after many years’ improvements.
Heian era is the time of young and child Emperors who naturally needed supports from experienced adults and there was system of a regent who were supposed to assist Emperor. It became a custom for maternal family to take a regent. Therefore, Fujiwara family who provided most Empress. ruled the nation together with Royal family.
Later it became popular for retired Emperors to seize the power instead of Regents. Retired Emperors were free from official engagements and various restrictions which bound free activity of Emperors. They took advantages of such free position.
child Emperor
