Background
Tenno Koko was the third son of Emperor Ninmyo and Empress Sawako Fujiwara. Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name (imina) was Tokiyatsu or Komatsu-tei.
Tenno Koko was the third son of Emperor Ninmyo and Empress Sawako Fujiwara. Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name (imina) was Tokiyatsu or Komatsu-tei.
Tenno Koko ascended the throne at the age of 54, after Mototsune Fujiwara deposed Emperor Yozei (884). During his three years of reign, with the help of Mototsune, whom he appointed adviser, he re-established the old laws and ordered all governors of provinces to be at their scats of office. Hitherto governors ruled from their homes and did not set foot in their respective provinces.
The first kampaku Fujiwara no Mototsune was influential in the process by Koko became emperor. At the time Emperor Yozei was deposed, Prince Tokiaytsu was already Governor of Hitachi and Chief Minister of Ceremonies (Jibu-kyo).
Emperor Koko is well-remembered for his poetry, and one of his waka appeared in the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu (no. 15).
Emperor Koko had four Imperial consorts and 41 Imperial sons and daughters.