Study on the structural transformation of "kingship" about Emperor Koken and Syotoku

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K02825
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Japanese history
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: Hori Yutaka 東北大学, 文学研究科, 准教授 (50310769)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 孝謙天皇 / 称徳天皇 / 道鏡 / 法王 / 国分尼寺 / 天皇霊 / 王権

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Previously, prior research and research representative clarified the following points. It is that the Emperor Koken and Syotoku has entrusted the determination of the successor to the throne to the Chinese "heaven" which contains Buddhist thought.
Based on these studies, in this research, the time when the Emperor mentioned about "heaven" is seen after the father Emperor Shomu died. With the doubt on the legitimacy of the emperor's own throne, the Emperor needed to rely on its authority. Also, (1) Appointment of "Ho-ou" is not due to "heaven". Therefore, the leading theory, "Ho-ou" = the successor to the throne, is a mistake. (2)The policy of "Kokubunji" and "Kokubunji" which were temples erected throughout Japan were also integrated with these.

Free Research Field

日本古代史