Emperor Daigo: The Unconventional Ruler Who Shaped Japan’s “Engi no Chi”
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Have you ever heard of the only Japanese emperor in history who was not born into the imperial family?
That was Emperor Daigo (885–930), a ruler of the Heian period in Japan. He became famous for leading with fairness, supporting culture, and creating stability at a time when politics often swayed under the power of noble families.
Why did he become a member of the imperial family, and how did he rise to the throne? What kind of person was he, who built an age of peace and good governance?
Let’s journey back more than a thousand years to discover the story of Emperor Daigo.
Who Was Emperor Daigo?
Let’s start with a simple profile of Emperor Daigo (885–930), the 60th emperor of Japan, who ruled during the middle of the Heian period.
He became emperor in 897, when he was only 13 years old. What makes him special is that, at a time when it was common for emperors to depend on regents or powerful court nobles to govern, he ruled directly and independently as an emperor. This style of government is remembered as a rare example of strong and independent imperial rule in Japanese history.
Major Achievements of His Reign
Here are some of the key accomplishments of Emperor Daigo’s rule:
- To stabilize the country’s finances, he not only restricted the creation of new private estates (shōen) but also cracked down on existing estates that were illegally established, ordering them to be abolished.
- He strongly supported Japanese waka poetry, and in 905 he ordered the creation of the Kokin Wakashū, the first major imperial anthology of waka poems.
- He ordered the completion of the history book Nihon Sandai Jitsuroku (“The True Records of Three Generations”), which covers the reigns of Emperors Seiwa, Yōzei, and Kōkō (858–887), and was finished by court scholars under his command.
Because of these accomplishments, his time on the throne became known as the “Engi no Chi” (The Governance of the Engi Era), celebrated as an age of peace and good government.
The Unusual Path to the Throne
One of the most remarkable things about Emperor Daigo is that he was the only emperor in Japanese history who was not originally born into the imperial family.
In Japan’s long history, emperors were always chosen from princes who were born into the imperial family. Succession usually passed from father to son, or to another close male relative within the royal bloodline.
However, Emperor Daigo’s journey to the throne was highly unusual. His father, who later became Emperor Uda, was born a prince but, under a system called shinseki kōka (demotion from the imperial family), he left the royal household and became a noble with the surname “Minamoto.” In this position, he was no longer considered eligible to rule as an emperor.
It was during this time that Daigo was born.
In other words, he grew up outside the imperial family, living as a noble with the name Minamoto.
Note: In Japan, emperors and members of the imperial family traditionally do not have surnames. Receiving the name “Minamoto” was a mark of leaving the imperial line.
Yet, due to extraordinary political circumstances, Daigo’s father was later brought back into the imperial family and, quite unexpectedly, ascended the throne. Because of this surprising twist of fate, the young Daigo—who otherwise would never have had the right to inherit—was able to become emperor himself.
A Young Emperor on the Throne
Another remarkable aspect of Emperor Daigo’s reign was that he practiced what later came to be called “direct imperial governance” (Tennō shinsei). In other words, he personally took an active role in government, rather than leaving decisions to others.
In the Heian period, emperors rarely ruled directly. Real political power was usually held by regents (sesshō) and chief advisors (kanpaku). These positions were almost always monopolized by the influential Fujiwara clan, who used marriage alliances and court politics to become the true decision-makers behind the throne.
Daigo, however, chose a different path. He appointed Fujiwara no Tokihira as Minister of the Left (sadaijin) and Sugawara no Michizane as Minister of the Right (udaijin), but he did not hand over control to regents or a kanpaku. Instead, he promoted a system of direct imperial governance, actively involving himself in political decisions.
A key influence in these early years was the Kanpyō no Go-yuikai (“Admonitions of the Kanpyō Era”), a written set of instructions left by his father, Emperor Uda, when Daigo took the throne. This document offered detailed advice on how an emperor should conduct politics and daily life: from court rituals, appointments, and promotions, to study, behavior, and even personal discipline. It also included candid evaluations of court nobles.
By following this guidance, Daigo was able to choose capable ministers and carry out policies with confidence. Over his long reign of 34 years, his governance was so successful that later generations remembered his era as a model of ideal government.
Shadows Behind the “Engi no Chi”
Although Emperor Daigo’s reign is remembered as the “Engi no Chi”—an era of peace and ideal government— not everything went smoothly. His time on the throne was also marked by political struggles, tragedies, and even stories of curses.
The Shōtai Incident (Shōtai no Hen)
One of the most famous events was the Shōtai Incident (昌泰の変, Shōtai no Hen) in 901.
Influenced by accusations from Fujiwara no Tokihira, the Minister of the Left, Emperor Daigo demoted his other leading minister, Sugawara no Michizane, sending him far away to a post in Dazaifu, in Kyushu.
This exile is often seen as a result of political rivalry at court, involving not only Tokihira but also the lingering influence of Daigo’s father, the retired Emperor Uda. The case shows how even a strong ruler like Daigo could not fully escape the complex web of court politics.
Misfortunes and the Fear of a Curse
Years later, misfortunes struck the imperial family. In 909, Tokihira himself died suddenly. Then in 923, Daigo’s crown prince died at just 21 years old, followed two years later by his grandson, who was only five. People began to believe these tragedies were caused by the vengeful spirit (onryō) of the exiled Sugawara no Michizane.
To calm this anger from beyond the grave, Daigo’s court overturned the earlier decision. In 923, Michizane was posthumously restored to his former rank of Minister of the Right (udaijin) and granted even higher titles. This act of appeasement later became part of the legend of Tenjin, the deified spirit of Michizane, worshiped as the god of learning.
A Reign of Light and Shadow
These events show that even in an era celebrated as one of the most ideal periods of government in Japan, the court remained a stage filled with power struggles, intrigue, and deep fears of curses and vengeful spirits.
Emperor Daigo’s reign was not only about carrying out stable governance, but also about confronting and overcoming the shadows of human ambition and superstition.
The Compassionate Side of Emperor Daigo
Beyond politics and governance, Emperor Daigo was also remembered for his warm and humane character.
Several stories tell us how deeply he cared for the people of his realm.
One famous episode describes a snowy winter night when Daigo threw his own robe out from his sleeping quarters, saying:
“If it feels this cold for me, how much colder must it be for the people in the provinces?”
This small gesture showed both his sense of humor and his empathy for ordinary people.
He also acted with compassion in times of hardship.
When disease spread or the weather turned unfavorable, he often declared amnesties or reduced taxes.
In years of poor harvest, he suspended the heavy obligations of seasonal festivals to ease the burden on farmers.
During droughts, he allowed common people to draw water from the imperial ponds—first from the Reizei-in pond, and when that ran dry, from the Shinsenen pond.
When floods struck the Kamo River, he relieved victims by canceling their taxes and labor duties.
These stories reveal another side of Emperor Daigo: not only a ruler praised for stability and order, but also a leader who showed kindness and empathy toward the struggles of his people.
Emperor Daigo as a Poet
Emperor Daigo was not only a statesman but also a lover of poetry. He actively promoted waka culture during his reign, and his own poems were included in many imperial anthologies such as the Kokin Wakashū, Shin Kokin Wakashū, and Shūi Wakashū. Here are a few examples of his poetry that reveal his refined sense of beauty and emotion.
The Wisteria Blossoms
かくてこそ見まくほしけれ万代を かけてにほへる藤浪の花
This is how I wish to see them— the wisteria blossoms, spreading their fragrance throughout the ages, forever in bloom.
This poem was composed at a banquet celebrating the wisteria blossoms at the Imperial Palace. It is thought to celebrate not only the flowers but also the prosperity of the Fujiwara clan, as the emperor’s consort, Fujiwara no Onshi, had just entered the court.
The Cuckoo’s Song
あしひきの山時鳥けふとてや あやめの草のねにたててなく
On the mountain, the cuckoo cries today, as if to mark the festival of the fifth day— perching upon the iris roots, and singing its seasonal song.
This seasonal poem links the cuckoo’s call with the Iris Festival on May 5. The wordplay connects the “roots” (ne) of the iris with the “sound” (ne) of the bird’s cry, a reminder of how nature and ritual were deeply intertwined in Heian poetry.
A Poem of Love
むらさきの色に心はあらねども 深くぞ人を思ひそめつる
Though my heart is not dyed purple, it has become deeply colored with love, for I have begun to think of you with the deepest feelings.
This personal poem expresses romantic longing, said to have been composed for a lady-in-waiting at his court.
These poems show that Emperor Daigo was not only a ruler who promoted waka as a cultural tradition, but also a poet who could express his own feelings with elegance and sensitivity.
Conclusion: Emperor Daigo’s Lasting Legacy
Emperor Daigo remains one of the most memorable figures in Japan’s imperial history. He rose to the throne through extraordinary circumstances, ruled with independence at a time when emperors often relied on regents, and guided the nation with both firmness and compassion.
His reign—celebrated as the “Engi no Chi”—is remembered not only for stability and cultural achievement, but also for the struggles and tragedies that revealed the human side of politics in the Heian court. Stories of his kindness toward the people, together with his refined poetry, complete the image of a ruler who combined strength with empathy.
More than a thousand years later, Emperor Daigo’s era still shines as a reminder of what it meant to be both a sovereign and a human being— a leader whose legacy of balance, culture, and compassion continues to inspire.