Daijō Tennō or Dajō Tennō (both accepted readings of 太上天皇) was the title for a Japanese Emperor who abdicated in favor of a successor. The term is often shortened to Jōkō (上皇).
As defined in the Taihō Code, although retired, a Daijō Tennō could still exert power. The first such example is the Empress Jitō in the 7th century. A retired emperor sometimes entered the Buddhist monastic community, becoming a cloistered emperor. This practice was rather common during the Heian period.
The last emperor to rule as a Jōkō was Emperor Kōkaku (1779–1817). The Emperor later created an incident called the "Songo incident" (the "respectful title incident"). The emperor disputed with the Tokugawa Shogunate about his intention to give a title of Abdicated Emperor (Daijō-tennō) to his father, who was an Imperial Prince Sukehito.
A total of 62 Japanese emperors abdicated. An incomplete list follows:
Prince Kusabake was named as crown prince to succeed Empress Jitō, but he died at a young age. Kusabake's son, Prince Karu, was then named as Jitō's successor. He eventually would become known as Emperor Mommu.
(Spoken dialogue)
(Hello?
Hey, it's me.
Hey, what's up?
Uh, me and the boys were gonna go for a ride, downtown or
Something. You wanna come?
Yeah, I guess.
Can we take your car?
What?)
Yeah, uh-huh
C'mon baby
VERSE ONE:
Come and take a ride with me
It's time to leave your worries behind
Take a little time at the wheel
'Cause I know it's gonna be alright
I've got to get away
Baby, can't you see
Listen what I say
Everybody, one two three, take a ride with me, c'mon
CHORUS:
Run away from the world behind you
(Run away, your cares won't find you)
Up ahead is where your cares won't find you
You gotta go where your soul is free
(Take a ride with me)
Baby, one two three, take a ride with me, c'mon
Down the road, don't you know you're flying
(Down the road, the stars are shining)
You'll be headed where the stars are shining
(Take a ride with me)
You've gotta go where your soul is free
Baby, one two three, take a ride with me
C'mon
C'mon baby
VERSE TWO:
Checkin' out the scene tonight
And your favorite song is on the radio
Everybody feels so right
And I know, it's time for us to go
Got to get away
Baby, can't you see
Listen what I say
Everybody, one two three, take a ride with me, c'mon
(repeat Chorus)
Yeah
Yeah---
Come and take ride
C'mon
Run away, your cares won't find you (oh)
Take a ride with me (oh---)
Down the road, the stars are shining
Take a ride with me
Got to get away
Baby, can't you see
Listen what I say
Everybody, one two three