This prince's personal name (imina) was Korehito (惟仁) before he became the monarch.[4] In the Imperial House of Japan, Korehito was the first to have the suffix "-hito" 仁 in his name.
Korehito was the fourth son of Emperor Montoku. His mother was the daughter of Fujiwara no Yoshifusa (藤原良房), who was regent and great minister of the council of state.[5]
Events of Seiwa's life
Prince Korehito became emperor at the age of 8, but the real power was held by his grandfather, Yoshifusa.
10 July 858 (Ten'an 2, 27th day of the 8th month): In the 8th year of Montoku-tennō 's reign (文徳天皇8年), the emperor abdicated.[4] The succession (senso) was received by a his son. Then Emperor Seiwa is said to have acceded to the throne (sokui).[6] This was confirmed in ceremonies.[7]
15 December 858 (Ten'an 2, 7th day of the 11th month): When Prince Korehito became emperor at age 9, his grandfather became regent (sesshō). This was the first time that this role was given to a member of the Fujiwara family. Also, it was the first time that someone so young became emperor.[4]
859 (Jōgan 1): Construction begins on the Iwashimizu Shrine in honor of Hachiman, the Shinto war god.[8]
859 (Jōgan 1, 1st month): Mourning for the death of Emperor Montoku was nationwide.[9]
869 (Jōgan 10): Yōzei was born, and he is named Seiwa's heir in the following year.[10]
876 (Jōgan 17, 11th month): In the 18th year of Seiwa's reign, he abdicated.[10]
878 (Gangyō 2): Seiwa becomes a Buddhist priest.[8]
31 December 878 (Gangyō 2, 4th day of the 12th month ): Former-Emperor Seiwa died at age 31.[11] He became known as emperor as Mizunoo-no-mikado[5] or Minoo-tei.[12]
After his death
The actual site of Seiwa's grave is known. This emperor is traditionally venerated at a memorialShintoshrine (misasagi) at Kyoto. The Imperial Household Agency designates this location as Seiwa's mausoleum.[1] It is formally named Minooyama no misasagi.[13] From the site of his tomb, he was sometimes referred to as Mizunoo (水尾).
