(b AD 786; reg 809–23; d 842). Japanese emperor, poet, calligrapher and patron of the Shingon sect of Esoteric Buddhism. Along with KUKAI and TACHIBANA NO HAYANARI, he is regarded as one of the Sanpitsu (Three Brushes; master calligraphers) of the Heian period (AD 794–1185) (see JAPAN, §VII, 2(ii)). He was the second son of Emperor Kanmu (reg 781–806), who founded the capital Heian (now Kyoto) in 794, and Empress Otomuro (AD 760–90). In 809 he succeeded his half-brother, Emperor Heizei (reg 806–9), to the throne as the 52nd emperor of Japan, and although he abdicated in 823, Saga remained the most powerful figure at court until his death. Politically the most significant event of his career occurred in 810 when Heizei attempted to return the centre of government to the old capital of Heijo (now Nara). Saga and his allies quickly crushed the rebellion, thereby assuring a pre-eminent cultural role for Kyoto in subsequent Japanese history. Saga had a deep passion for Chinese culture. He actively promoted the use of Chinese modes of dress and the adoption of Chinese nomenclature for the various structures of the imperial palace. He wrote accomplished poetry in Chinese and was responsible for the compilation of two imperial anthologies, the Ryounshu (‘Cloud-borne collection’) and the Bunkashureishu (‘Imperial collection of literature’), both of which include his poems. Among his extant works are the Kokuchoshonin shi (poem ‘Mourning for Choshon’in’; 822), a eulogy in 52 characters for the Tendai monk Saicho (AD 767–822), and the Kojo kaicho, a certificate of ordination for Kojo, one of Saicho’s disciples (823). The bold, fluid characters in cursive script (Jap. kaisho) in both works reflect the influence of Kobo Daishi as well as of the writing styles of the legendary 4th-century Chinese calligrapher Wang Xizhi (see WANG (i), (1)) and of the early Tang period (AD 618–907) master OUYANG XUN. Saga was an enthusiastic patron of Kobo Daishi, who had returned from China in 806, and gave him many commissions.

• Saga, Emperor (reg 809-23)
  • calligraphy
    • Japan, §VII, 1(iii)(b): Calligraphy: Heian period
    • Japan, §VII, 2(i)(b): Calligraphy: Buddhist scriptures, Heian period
    • Japan, §VII, 2(ii)(a): Calligraphy: Early courtly styles, Early Heian period
    • Kukai, §2: Works and influence, 809–35
  • masks
    • Japan, §XVI, 15(ii)(b): Masks: Bugaku
  • poetry
    • Japan, §VI, 3(iii)(c): Early Yamatoe screen, door and wall painting