History of Asia

Background of the Jinshin War

Today's theme, the Yang Water Monkey, refers to the battle for successors that occurred after the demise of Emperor Tenji.

It is a battle for successor between Emperor Tenji's son and younger brother.

Let's examine how the civil war, which was the first battle for the successor of the emperor in Japan, occurred.

Cause of Jinshin War

His younger brother, Prince Oumi, who has supported Emperor Tenji for many years, and Emperor Tenchi's son, Prince Otomo, fought Jinshin War . But where was the trigger?

Initially, Emperor Tenmu made the Oumijin Prince, who has supported himself for many years, his successor . It seems that he was thinking. However, the cause was that he changed his mind in his later years and tried to take over his son . It is said to be.

How do you decide on a successor?

At this time, even those in power can only live in their 40s. Moreover, it does not govern the whole of Japan. In the event of an emergency, he may lead the army (it seems that Kyushu was in a dangerous state about a year before Emperor Tenji actually died).

In such a situation, when it comes to having a son as a successor, people around you will think, "I'm too young to take over."

That's why, in this era, it's more common for siblings to take over than for children . It seems that it was. However, he says that Prince Otomo was a very talented person. This is the beginning of bad luck.

Under these circumstances, was Emperor Tenji already a prince in 668? * 1 For the first time in New Year 671 I got it. He created an unprecedented position and gave it to his son.

* 1. There is also a theory that it is unknown whether he was actually the Crown Prince. Isn't it "written conveniently for Emperor Tenmu" because the literature on which the Prince of the Sea (=Emperor Tenmu) is the emperor's younger brother was created under the direction of Emperor Tenmu? That is the reason. Regardless of whether he was a prince or not, it seems certain that he was close to succession to the throne.

How did the fact that he had a son in the position of assisting the emperor be seen by the Prince of the Sea and other powerful tribes? Perhaps " Emperor Tenji wants to be the next emperor is Prince Otomo Must have looked like.

Career of Emperor Tenji (=Prince of the Middle Ages before the coronation)

In 645, the middle-aged brother and prince Yin Wood Snake (Assassination of Soga no Iruka and self-harm of Ezo) Soga no Kurayamada Ishikawa Maro who cooperated with Otomi's strangeness after that, to self-harm for innocent crime Is it the mastermind who has driven in? It is a person who is said to be.

Also, after the demise of Emperor Kotoku, he attacked and killed Prince Furuhito no Otoko, who was one of the candidates for the Soga Emperor, from the crime of rebellion. , The mastermind who also hanged Prince Arima for rebellion Is suspected as.

People who don't like it seem to have disappeared.

Background to the Jinshin War

Emperor Tenji also gets sick. He lay down on the floor in September 671 and said he tried to summon the Emperor Tenmu to the bed in September to entrust him with his aftermath. However, the person who was doing the above could not be trusted, and the Prince of the Sea refused it and headed for Yoshino (southern Nara prefecture) until Emperor Tenchi died there. Is quiet (probably, I think he was gradually rooting in the meantime).

Prince Otomo was already in politics as Emperor Kobun * 2 (sometimes called the Omi dynasty because the palace was in Omi), but in June 672, when the Prince of the Sea finally raised troops, the great tribes cooperated one after another. To do.

* 2. His reign was short and he was not regarded as a successive emperor because he did not perform rituals on the coronation. It wasn't until the Meiji era that it was actually recognized.

So why were the gentry so supportive? Are you dissatisfied with Emperor Tenji? What was that dissatisfaction? ?? I've erased people I don't like ... of course, but that's not all.

One of the unforgettable events of Emperor Tenji is the great defeat at the Battle of Baekgang (to be exact, the Prince of the Middle Ages). If you win, you will be dissatisfied just because you lost the war. If you collect working men, you will lose productivity, and if you lose, there will be no merit (even if you have a good fight).

In addition, it became necessary to build a castle or relocate to the capital to defend the land. It took a lot of manpower to make these, and it seems that it was a heavy burden not only for the people but also for the great families. Moreover, Emperor Tenji had already built a palace because he had a disagreement with Emperor Kotoku, who was the emperor at that time, when he was a middle-aged brother and prince. The palace was built as the headquarters of the Battle of Baekgang (The one who was instructing was Emperor Tenji, who had already died, but if he was ordered, it wouldn't matter whether he was instructed by Emperor Tenji or the middle-aged brother and prince ...)> Relocated to the capital four times in total I am letting you.

It seems that Tsuke, who has been advancing politics in a brute force manner, has squeezed his son, Prince Otomo.

Anyway, as a result, Jinshin War Then, the Emperor Tenmu on the rebel side who was able to move many powerful tribes wins. Emperor Tenmu It was decided to become the throne.

The above is the process leading up to the Yang Water Monkey, but it is based on the description of the Nihon Shoki, which Emperor Tenmu instructed to compile. And the person who was involved in the compilation is Fujiwara no Fuhito. Fujiwara no Fuhito is the son of Fujiwara no Kamatari (=Nakatomi Kamatari), and it is certain that the two thoughts were involved in the Jinshin War and the Taika Reform. I can't say it.

From here, it's a bonus. Only for those who are interested.

Why did Emperor Tenmu and Emperor Tenmu get angry? ??

Is it because Emperor Tenchi took the ex-wife of the Prince of the Sea? It is also said that.

The other party is Princess Nukata, who wrote "Akanesasu bound for Shino, bound for Shimano, and Nomori is a sword."

In modern translation, it means something like this.

Then, the Prince of the Sea replies, "If you hate your younger sister, who is purple grass (Murasaki), I'm in love with Yue, a married woman."

I think it's a story because it's so obvious, but I'm worried that it can't be said absolutely.