31 The Engi (901-923) and Tenryaku (947-957) Eras Sugawara no Michizane, Minister of the Right, was a man of integrity and honesty, widely and deeply versed in Japanese and Chinese scholarship. It was most regrettable that he was banished to Government Headquarters in Kyuushuu by his enemy's slanderous words. However, at that time Emperor Daigo was still young, so he cannot be judged for being led astray by his senior subjects. Aside from this single incident, the reign of Emperor Daigo was considered one of the ideal, golden eras of ancient Japanese history, along with the reign of Emperor Murakami, who ascended after the intervening reign of Emperor Suzaku. People of later times longed for these tho eras. Emperor Daigo reigned for thirty-four years. The first three years were called the Shoutai era (897-901), the next twenty-two years were the Engi era (901-923), and the last eight years were called the Enchou era (923-931). Taking the name of the longest of the eras, the Emperor was called "The Emperor of the Engi Era," and his reign, "The Great Era of Engi." Next came Emperor Suzaki, the son of Emperor Daigo. This Emperor retied after sixteen years, to pass the imperial throne to his younger brother Emperor Murakami (r. 946-967). His reign lasted for twenty-one years, and again taking the name of the representative era, he came to be called "The Emperor of the Tenryaku Era" and his time, "The Reign of Tenryaku." (an omission) These two eras were the most splendid of the entire Heian Period. Collection of Ancient and Modern Poems (Kokinshuu), Regulations of the Engi Era (Engi Kyaku), and Procedures of the Engi Era (Engi Shiki) were collected at that time. In addition another important record was compiled: Veritable Record of Three Reigns of Japan (Nihon Sandai Jitsuroku). State histories were those authoritatively compiled by the government. First was Chronicles of Japan (Nihon Shoki). Then came: Chronicles of Japan Continued (Shoku Nihongi), Later Chronicles of Japan (Nihon Kouki), Later Chronicles of Japan Continued (Shoku Nihon Kouki), Veritable Records of Emperor Montoku of Japan (Nihon Montoku Tennou Jitsuroku). In continuation, the history of the reigns of Emperors Seiwa, Youzei and Koukou was compiled into the fifty-vlume V eritable Recored of Three Reigns of Japan (Nihon Sandai Jitsuroku). The project was started during the reign of Emperor Uda, with Sugawara no Michizane taking part. It is completed in the 8th month of the first year of Engi era (901). These compilation projects of history demonstrate the national consciousness of the time. Until the middle of the Heian Period, national consciousness was so strong that lecture series on Chronicles of Japan (Nihon Shoki) were held roughly every thirty tears. During the Engi era, the lectures were held in the 4th year (904). However, reviewing the situation we find: (1) Veritable Records of Three Reigns of Japan (Nihon Sandai Jitsuroku), completed in the first year of Engi era (901), was the last of the national histories. None followed thereafter. (2) Compilation of laws and regulations terminated with Regulations of the Engi Era (Engi Kyaku) in the first year of Engi era (901) and Procedures of the Engi Era (Engi Shiki) in the 5th year of Enchou (927). None followed thereafter. (3) The last lecture series on Chronicles of Japan (Nihon Shiki) was held in the second year of Kouho (or Kouhou) era (965). None were held thereafter. The second year of Kouho era (965) was almost 1000 years ago. Until that time, national consciousness flourished, history was studied and records compiled, and laws and regulations were well-maintained. But after this time, the national consciousness weakened, and personal welfare became more important than the destiny of the nation. Consequently the nation declined and went into disarray. In retrospect, the Engi and Tenryaku eras seemed the golden age of splendor, setting the ideals for all ages. Another important aspect of the Engi era appeared in the spring of the second year of Engi era (902), when a desree prohibiting private land ownership was disseminated. Private land ownership was destroying the system established by the Taika Reform (645). In 645 it had been formulated that land was owned by the government, to be divided equitably among the people so that they could both make a living and pay taxes. In cases where private ownership was specially permitte for meritorious deeds, that land was placed outside the jurisdiction of the local governor; the land tax was paid to the owner of the land, and not the government. Two facts indicating the problems with this system are seen in the 902 decree prohiditing the imperial and aristocratic families from owning private land. First, the detrimental effects of private land ownership were already evident; second, the government had sufficient force to try to terminate this evil practice. (an omission) Why then had such eras of glory vanished ? Because the coutiers merely enjoyed a life of elegance and art. They gradually lost the spirit commitment and hard work, which was necessary to dedicate themselves to the nation and the society. Such are the characters in The Tale of Genji (Genji Monogatari). (an omission) In such conditions, the greatness of the Engi and Tenryaku eras gradually declined. In the end, there was no one with a manly spilit. No one was concerned about the fate of the nation, dedicated to keeping moral principles, eradicating crime, and maintaining the soundness of public life.

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