Disaster Due to the Emperor's Lack of Personal Virtue

In Japanese history, there were values unique to each period. In this issue, we would like to introduce a value unique to the Nara and Heian periods. The reason why famines and disasters occurred was because of the lack of virtue of the emperors. When famine occurred due to drought, people first prayed for rain at shrines and temples, asking the heavens to send rain. However, when the drought persisted, the emperor granted a pardon. A pardon is the release of a person from prison.

In the imperial edict of 722 (Yoro 6), the emperor wrote, "The yin-yang has been disturbed, and there are frequent disasters and droughts. I have offered sacrifices to the mountains and worshipped the heavenly gods and earthly deities, but there has been no blessed rain. I am going to pardon the whole nation," he ordered the release of all those who were imprisoned.

-- The History of Japan: 1400 Years of Attacks and Defenses against Extreme Weather

The theory is that the emperor forgives and frees sinners of their sins = the emperor is benevolent = the drought ends. This kind of thinking was introduced from China. In ancient China, it was believed that natural disasters would occur if the ruler of a country lacked virtue, and this was the main reason for changing dynasties. In Japan, although dynasties were not changed, the influence of this Chinese rule of virtue was so strong that whenever a natural disaster occurred, the emperor was worried that it was because he was immoral.

Of course, there were also direct responses to famine. The first was to reduce taxes on rice, cloth, special products, etc. The second was to encourage farmers to cultivate not only rice but also drought-resistant "minor grains" and the third was to provide rice to the people. The third is to provide rice to the people. I am surprised that they thought like this in the old days, but at the same time, I wonder if we have a similar idea today. Even though a prime minister or a president cannot change everything in the world, wouldn't the world be better off if that prime minister or that president were replaced? We all have thoughts like that, don't we?

References

• "The History of Japan: 1400 Years of Attacks and Defenses against Extreme Weather" by Yasushi Taie