Tennō Daigo became the sixtieth ruler of Japan on the occasion of his father’s abdication. He was the Emperor of the early Heian period.
Background
Tennō Daigo was born on February 6, 885 in Kyoto, Japan. He was a son of Emperor Uda. His father was the Emperor Uda, he also had brothers Sugawara no Michizane and Fujiwara no Tokihira.
By retiring, Emperor Uda had hoped to be able with greater freedom to join with his son and his advisers, Sugawara no Michizane and Fujiwara no Tokihira, in handling affairs of state, but in 901 Fujiwara no Tokihira suddenly contrived to have Sugawara no Michizane exiled and gathered all power into his own hands.
Sugawara no Michizane died in exile, and when Fujiwara no Tokihira in turn died in 909, his death was believed to have been caused by the angry spirit of Michizane. In order to placate Michizane’s spirit, he was given the title Tenjin and worshiped at various Shinto shrines. His father, Emperor Uda, died a year after Daigo's death.
Career
He ascended the throne in 897 to become the sixtieth ruler on the occasion of his father’s abdication. By retiring, Emperor Uda had hoped to be able with greater freedom to join with his son and his advisers, Sugawara no Michizane and Fujiwara no Tokihira, in handling affairs of state, but in 901 Fujiwara no Tokihira suddenly contrived to have Sugawara no Michizane exiled and gathered all power into his own hands. Sugawara no Michizane died in exile, and when Fujiwara no Tokihira in turn died in 909, his death was believed to have been caused by the angry spirit of Michizane. In order to placate Michi- zane’s spirit, he was given the title Tenjin and worshiped at various Shinto shrines.
In the summer of 930 the palace was struck by lightning, and Emperor Daigo, as a result of the shock, fell sick and died three months later. His father, Emperor Uda, died the following year.