Emperor Uda of Japan

Emperor Uda (宇多天皇) (867-931) was the 59th imperial ruler of Japan. He reigned from November 7, 887 to July 3, 897. His name in birth was Sadami (定省).

Uda was the seventh son of the Emperor Emperor Koko of Japan by Princess Madarako whose grandfather was the Emperor Emperor Kammu of Japan. His father Koko degraded once his sons from the rank of imperial royals to the rank of subjects in purpose of reducing the state expenses and their political influence. Then Sadami was given the clan name of Minamot and named Minamoto no Sadami. Later in 887 Koko needed to appoint his successor, Sadami was upgraded to the imperial prince rank with support of Kampaku region Fujiwara no Mototsune, since Sadami was adopted to a half-sister of Mototsune.

On August 26, 887 he retrived his princehood and was appointed to the crown prince. After the death of his father in November of this year, he ascended to the throne.

In the early of his reign Mototsune held the office of Kampaku. After Mototsune's death, Fujirwara no Tokihira and Sugawara no Michizane were in Uda's favor.

Uda founded Ninna-ji Temple and after abdication made it his resident.

In 897 he abdicated in favor of his eldest son, by a Fujiwara woman, Prince Atsuhito.