noun
cloistered rule; government by retired emperors
Historical term referring to the system in which a retired emperor (上皇 or 法皇) continued to wield political power from a monastery or separate court, often overshadowing the reigning emperor. Common in Japanese history from the late Heian period onward.
See also: 太上法皇
白河上皇は院政を始めたことで知られている。
Emperor Shirakawa is known for having begun cloistered rule.
During the period of cloistered rule, the retired emperor held real power.