also: だじょうほうおう
cloistered emperor; ex-emperor who has become a monk
Historical title for a retired emperor who has taken Buddhist vows. Used in contexts of Japanese imperial history.
Emperor Shirakawa later entered the priesthood and became a cloistered emperor.
The cloistered emperor ruled from behind the scenes.
法皇 is a broader term for an emperor who has become a monk, while 太上法皇 specifically refers to a retired emperor who has taken Buddhist vows.
上皇 is a retired emperor, but not necessarily a monk; 太上法皇 adds the religious dimension.
Standard kanji spelling for this historical title.
Alternate reading; less common than だいじょうほうおう.
From 太上 (retired emperor) + 法皇 (monk-emperor). The term emerged in the Heian period when retired emperors took Buddhist vows while retaining political influence.