Emperor Antoku (安徳天皇) was the 81st imperial ruler of Japan during the late Heian period. His father was the 80th emperor Takakura while his mother was Tokuko, second daughter of Taira no Kiyomori. Emperor Antoku and his family on his mother's side, the Taira, became the subject of the Kamakura period epic The Tale of Heike.
Emperor Antoku became emperor at the age of 2 and his grandfather Kiyomori of the Taira family, though not officially regent, ruled behind the scenes. In 1185, emperor Antoku was taken by the Taira to western Honshu after they were driven out of Kyoto during the Genpei War. After their final defeat at the naval battle of Dan no Ura, he was drowned along with the rest of the Taira.
Lived: 1178-1185
Ruled: 1180-1185
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Preceded by: Takakura | Emperor of Japan |
Succeeded by: Go-Toba |