Emperor Shōmu was the 45th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name (imina) is not clearly known, but he was known as Oshi-hiraki Toyosakura-hiko-no-mikoto. Shōmu was the son of Emperor Mommu and Fujiwara no Miyako, a daughter of Fujiwara no Fuhito. Shōmu had four Empresses and six Continue reading «Famous Deaths Today: 756 -Emperor Shōmu, Emperor of Japan.»

Emperor Go-Shirakawa (後白河天皇 Go-Shirakawa-tennō) (October 18, 1127 – April 26, 1192) was the 77th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1155 through 1158. This 12th century sovereign was named after the 11th century Emperor Shirakawa and go- (後), translates literally as “later;” and thus, he is sometimes called the “Later Continue reading «Famous Deaths Today: 1192 -Emperor Go-Shirakawa of Japan.»

Emperor Antoku (安徳天皇 Antoku-tennō) (December 22, 1178 – April 24, 1185) was the 81st emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1180 through 1185. During this time, the imperial family was involved in a bitter struggle between warring clans. Yoritomo, with his cousin Yoshinaka, led a force from the Minamoto clan Continue reading «Famous Deaths Today: 1185 – Antoku Taira, Emperor of Japan (1180-85), Drowns.»