Emperor Shirakawa of Japan

Emperor Shirakawa (白河天皇) was the 72th imperial ruler of Japan and the first to ostensibly retire to a monastery, but in fact to continue to exert influence over his successor. This process would become known as cloistered rule.

Lived: 1053-1129
Ruled: 1073-1087
Cloistered rule: 1086-1129

Preceded by: Go-Sanjo

Emperor of Japan

Succeeded by: Horikawa