Name: Emperor Takakura (高倉天皇 )
Birth/ Death: (1161-1181) Reign: (1168-1180)
Appearance: Does Not Appear; Mentioned only
Bio:
He was the fourth son of Go-Shirakawa and ascended to the throne while still a child. Taira no Kiyomori’s daughter Tokuko (later known as Kenreimon’in) became his consort in 1171. Takakura was forced to abdicate in 1180 in favor of his son by Kenreimon’in, still a toddler at the time, who would come to be known as Antoku. Takakura is depicted in the Tale of the Heike as a man of great sensitivity and generosity. After his abdication, he makes a pilgrimage to Itsukushima Shrine, but he dies within a year. His death and euologistic episodes about him are included in Book Six.