Emperor Saga

Saga (Japanese嵯峨 天皇, Saga tennō; born September 7, 786; † July 15 842 ) was the 52nd Tennō of Japan. He was the second son of Kammu - tennō and the younger brother of his predecessor Heizeis. His reign lasted 809-823 and is known as the high point of Chinese culture in Japan.

His wife, Empress Tachibana no Kachiko was known as a beautiful and educated woman.

Saga ill a few months after his enthronement, and again in the middle of the following year. The retired Heizei had announced that he wanted to move the capital back to Nara. This was the obvious attempt to regain the throne. Was supported this rebellion of Heizeis favorite wife Fujiwara Kusoko and their brother Nakanari. The rebellion was quickly put down bloodily by the imperial troops under the leadership of Sakanoue Tamamuramaro. The Crown Prince Takaoka - Heizeis son, was deposed. He later became a follower of Kukai, the saga had supported, and died years later as a pilgrim on the way to India somewhere on the Malay Peninsula.

He was also known as a poet and calligrapher. Saga thought that the literary education could give the state unity and harmony. In his government three Chinese poetry collections were published. In contrast, the Japanese own poetry style Uta was ignored.

Saga was a protector of the Buddhist monk Kūkai and helped him to found the Shingonschule of Buddhism: He gave Kūkai the temple Tō -ji in the southern part of the capital of Heian - kyō ( Kyoto today ).

The policy sagas brought a cultural wedding, but also financial difficulties.