Emperor Go-Ichijō

1.1. Birth and Childhood

Born on October 12, 1008, his personal name (諱_imina^Japanese) was Atsuhira-shinnō (敦成親王_{Atsuhira-shinnō}^Japanese), also known as Atsunari-shinnō. He was the second son of Emperor Ichijō and his mother was Fujiwara no Akiko/Shōshi (藤原彰子_{Fujiwara no Akiko/Shōshi}^Japanese) (988-1074). Shōshi was a daughter of the influential regent Fujiwara no Michinaga, making Go-Ichijō Michinaga's grandson. The circumstances of his birth were meticulously recorded in The Diary of Lady Murasaki (紫式部日記_{Murasaki Shikibu Nikki}^Japanese), highlighting the great anticipation and joy of Michinaga, as this imperial grandson symbolized the flourishing power and prestige of his Fujiwara lineage. From a very young age, Prince Atsuhira was used as a strategic pawn in the complex politics of the Imperial court.

2.1. Accession to the Throne

Go-Ichijō ascended to the throne at the young age of eight. His accession occurred on March 10, 1016, following the abdication of his first cousin once removed, Emperor Sanjō. Emperor Sanjō abdicated due to failing eyesight, reportedly having gone blind. The succession (践祚_senso^Japanese) was received by Prince Atsuhira, and shortly thereafter, on March 18, 1016, Emperor Go-Ichijō formally acceded to the throne (即位_sokui^Japanese).

2.2. Regency and Court Politics

During the initial years of Go-Ichijō's reign, his maternal grandfather, Fujiwara no Michinaga, wielded immense power, effectively ruling from his position as sesshō (regent). Michinaga's influence was paramount, controlling court appointments and major political decisions. After Michinaga's retirement, his eldest son, Fujiwara no Yorimichi, continued the regency, first as sesshō and later as kampaku.

A key example of Michinaga's political maneuvering occurred in 1017. Prince Atsuakira, Emperor Sanjō's eldest son, had initially been named Crown Prince. However, after Emperor Sanjō's death at the age of 41 on June 5, 1017, Michinaga exerted intense pressure on Prince Atsuakira, who was also suffering from a skin disease, to withdraw from his role as Crown Prince. In his place, Michinaga ensured the appointment of Prince Atsunaga, Go-Ichijō's younger brother and also Michinaga's grandson, as the new Crown Prince. This move further solidified the Fujiwara clan's control over the imperial succession.

To further secure the Fujiwara's influence, Emperor Go-Ichijō married Fujiwara no Ishi (藤原威子_{Fujiwara no Ishi}^Japanese) (999-1036), Michinaga's third daughter and thus his own aunt, in 1012. Unusually for the period, Emperor Go-Ichijō had no other consorts, and his only children were two imperial princesses born to Empress Ishi. This arrangement was likely intended to prevent the emergence of rival external kinship ties that could challenge the Fujiwara clan's dominant position.

2.3. Major Events during Reign

Several notable events occurred during Emperor Go-Ichijō's time on the throne:

• 1012 (Chōwa 1, 8th month):** Prince Atsuhira married Fujiwara no Ishi, a daughter of the sesshō and later kampaku Fujiwara no Michinaga.
• March 10, 1016 (Chōwa 5, 29th day of the 1st month):** Emperor Sanjō abdicated, and Prince Atsuhira received the succession, becoming Emperor Go-Ichijō.
• June 5, 1017 (Kannin 1, 9th day of the 5th month):** The former Emperor Sanjō died at the age of 41.
• 1017 (Kannin 1, 8th month):** Prince Atsuakira was removed as Crown Prince, and Prince Atsunaga (later Emperor Go-Suzaku) was named his successor.
• 1017 (Kannin 1, 9th month):** Fujiwara no Michinaga led a large pilgrimage to the Iwashimizu Shrine. During a floating trip down the Yotogawa River, one of the 15 boats overturned, resulting in the loss of over 30 lives.
• 1017 (Kannin 1, 12th month):** Michinaga was elevated to the prestigious office of Daijō-daijin.
• May 15, 1036 (Chōgen 9, 17th day of the 4th month):** Emperor Go-Ichijō died at the age of 27. Historical accounts, such as A Tale of Flowering Fortunes (栄花物語_{Eiga Monogatari}^Japanese), describe symptoms like excessive thirst and weight loss, leading to speculation that he may have suffered from diabetes. His death was sudden, preventing the customary abdication ceremony. According to Nihon Kiryaku and Imakagami, his will stipulated that his death be kept secret to allow for the succession ceremony of his younger brother, Prince Atsunaga (later Emperor Go-Suzaku), to take place. This event is considered a precedent for how imperial successions were handled when an emperor died while still on the throne.

2.4. Eras of Reign

The years of Emperor Go-Ichijō's reign are identified by several era names (年号_nengō^Japanese):

• Chōwa (1012-1017)
• Kannin (1017-1021)
• Jian (1021-1024)
• Manju (1024-1028)
• Chōgen (1028-1037)

4.1. Consort and Children

Go-Ichijō had one Empress and two Imperial daughters. His Empress (中宮_chūgū^Japanese) was Fujiwara no Ishi (藤原威子_{Fujiwara no Ishi}^Japanese) (999-1036), the third daughter of Fujiwara no Michinaga. She was also his maternal aunt.
Their children were:

• First Daughter:** Imperial Princess Akiko/Shōshi (章子内親王_{Shōshi Naishinnō}^Japanese) (1027-1105). She later became Nijō-In (二条院_Nijō-In^Japanese) and served as Empress (chūgū) to Emperor Go-Reizei.
• Second Daughter:** Imperial Princess Kaoruko/Keishi (馨子内親王_{Keishi Naishinnō}^Japanese) (1029-1093). She later became Saien-no Kogo (西院皇后_{Saien-no Kogo}^Japanese) and served as Empress (chūgū) to Emperor Go-Sanjō.

6.1. Positive Assessment

Despite being a child emperor and largely a figurehead under the Fujiwara regency, Go-Ichijō's reign was a period of relative stability for the Imperial court, albeit one where the Fujiwara clan maintained firm control. The political system, dominated by Michinaga and later Yorimichi, ensured a consistent administration. His reign saw the continued flourishing of Heian court culture, though this was more a reflection of the broader era and the influence of the Fujiwara than Go-Ichijō's personal initiatives.

6.2. Criticism and Controversy

Emperor Go-Ichijō's reign highlights the extent to which the Fujiwara regents controlled the Imperial succession and the emperor's life. He was effectively a "pawn" in court politics from childhood, with his marriage to his aunt Fujiwara no Ishi and the subsequent lack of male heirs being a direct consequence of the Fujiwara's strategy to maintain their external kinship status and control over the throne. The controversial removal of Prince Atsuakira as Crown Prince, orchestrated by Michinaga, demonstrates the ruthless power dynamics at play, prioritizing Fujiwara interests over traditional succession norms. His early death, possibly due to illness like diabetes, further underscores the fragility of the imperial position during this period. The decision to conceal his death to facilitate his brother's succession set a historical precedent, reflecting the pragmatic and often secretive nature of court politics.