Emperor Keikō (景行天皇, Keikō-tennō), also known as Ootarashihikooshirowake no Sumeramikoto (大足彦忍代別天皇) and Ōtarashihiko-oshirowake no Mikoto (大帯日子淤斯呂和氣天皇), was the 12th (and legendary) emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.[4][5] Both the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki (collectively known as the Kiki) record events that took place during Keikō's alleged lifetime.
| Emperor Keikō 景行天皇 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | |||||
| Emperor of Japan | |||||
| Reign | 71–130 AD (traditional)[1] | ||||
| Predecessor | Suinin | ||||
| Successor | Seimu | ||||
| Born | Ōtarashihiko (大足彦尊) 13 BC[2] | ||||
| Died | 130 (aged 143) | ||||
| Burial | Yamanobe no michi no e no misasagi (山辺道上陵) (Nara) | ||||
| Spouses | Harima no Inabi no Ōiratsume Yasakairi-hime | ||||
| Issue among others... | Prince Ōsu Emperor Seimu | ||||
| |||||
| House | Imperial House of Japan | ||||
| Father | Emperor Suinin | ||||
| Mother | Hibasu-hime[3] | ||||
| Religion | Shinto | ||||
Keikō was recorded as being an exceptionally tall emperor who had a very large family. During his reign he sought to expand territorial control through conquest of local tribes. He had a very important son named "Prince Ōsu", now known as the folk hero Yamato Takeru, who was in possession of the Kusanagi no Tsurugi when he died. This treasure was later moved to Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, and is now a part of the Imperial Regalia of Japan. It is possible that Keikō lived or reigned in the 4th century rather than the first, but more information is needed.
Keikō's reign is conventionally considered to have been from 71 to 130.[6] During his alleged lifetime, he fathered at least 80 children with two chief wives (empress) and nine consorts. One of his sons became the next emperor upon his death in 130, but the location of Keikō's grave (if any) is unknown. Keikō is traditionally venerated at a misasagi (陵) at Nara.
Legendary narrative
editThe Japanese have traditionally accepted this sovereign's historical existence, and a mausoleum (misasagi) for Keiko is currently maintained. The following information is drawn from the pseudo-historical Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, collectively known as Kiki (記紀) or Japanese chronicles. These chronicles include legends and myths, as well as purported historical facts that have since been exaggerated and/or distorted. The records state that Keikō was born sometime in 13 BCE, and was given the name Otarashihiko-no-mikoto.[3][2] He was the third son of Emperor Suinin, and his second empress wife "Hibasu-hime".[3][7] Otarashihiko-no-mikoto was allegedly chosen as crown prince over his elder brother based on a casual question on what they both had wished for. In the former's case, he said, "The Empire," while his elder brother said "Bow and arrows".[8] Otarashi-hiko later ascended to the throne in 71 CE a year after his father's death.
Accounts in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki are split when it comes to initial territorial expansion during Emperor Keikō's reign. In the Kojiki, the Emperor is said to have sent his son Prince Ōsu to Kyūshū to conquer local tribes. Alternatively, the Nihon Shoki records that he went there himself and won battles against local tribes. Both sources agree that Keikō later sent Yamato Takeru to Izumo Province (now eastern Shimane Prefecture) then and the eastern provinces to conquer the area and spread his territory.[9] According to traditional sources, Yamato Takeru died in the 43rd year of Emperor Keiko's reign (景行天皇四十三年).[10] His possessions were gathered together along with the Kusanagi sword, and his widow venerated his memory in a shrine at her home. Sometime later, these relics and the sacred sword were moved to the current location of the Atsuta Shrine.[10]
Emperor Keikō was recorded as a giant of 10 feet 2 inches (310 cm), who had at least 80 children from multiple wives.[8] Other than Yamato Takeru, at least three of Keikō's children were ancestors of notable clans. According to tradition, Keikō died in 130 at the age of 143, and his son Prince 'Wakatarashi-hiko was enthroned as Emperor Seimu the following year.[2]
Known information
edit
Emperor Keikō is regarded by historians as a "legendary Emperor" as there is insufficient material available for further verification and study.[11] The Sino-Japanese name Keikō and the title tennō 'emperor' were given posthumously by later generations.[12] His name might have been regularized centuries after the lifetime ascribed to him, possibly during the time in which legends about the origins of the imperial dynasty were compiled as the chronicles known today as the Kojiki.[9]
There is a possibility that Keikō's era was in the 4th century rather than the 1st.[13] This period is concurrent with the Japanese missions to Tang China having an audience with the Tang emperor, though more evidence is needed to make any conclusions. Like his father before him, Keikō is also known to have an exaggerated lifespan, which is unlikely to be factual. The consecutive reigns of the emperors were compiled in the 8th century, and it is thought that age gaps were "filled up" to address numerous lacunae.[14][15] For comparison, verified ages in the 110s have since been documented and recorded as the "oldest in the world".
Although the exact site of Keikō's grave is unknown, the Emperor is traditionally venerated at a misasagi in Tenri, Nara. The Imperial Household Agency designates this location as Keikō's mausoleum, and it is formally named Yamanobe no michi no e no misasagi.[4][10] Outside of the Kiki, the reign of Emperor Kinmei[a] (c. 509 – 571) is the first for which contemporary historiography has been able to assign verifiable dates.[16] The conventionally accepted names and dates of the early emperors were not confirmed as "traditional" though, until the reign of Emperor Kanmu[b] between 737 and 806.[9]
Consorts and children
editEmperor Keikō allegedly had a very large family which consisted of 2 wives, 9 concubines, and more than 80 children (51 of which are listed here). It is now questionable and open to debate, though, whether these numbers are genuine or not.[17] Some of his listed children might actually be duplicates of the same person. The size of Keikō's family also could have been exaggerated over time through legends and word of mouth stories.
Spouse
edit| Position | Name | Father | Issue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empress (1st) | Harima no Inabi no Ōiratsume (播磨稲日大郎姫) | Prince Wakatakehiko[c] | • Prince Kushitsunowake (櫛角別王) • Prince Ōsu (大碓皇子) • Prince Ōsu (小碓尊) |
| Empress (2nd) | Yasakairi-hime (八坂入媛命) | Prince Yasakairihiko[d] | • Prince Wakatarashihiko (稚足彦尊) • Prince Iokiirihiko (五百城入彦皇子) • Prince Oshinowake (忍之別皇子) • Prince Wakayamatoneko (稚倭根子皇子) • Prince Ōsuwake (大酢別皇子) • Princess Nunoshino-hime-miko (渟熨斗皇女) • Princess Iokiirihime-miko (五百城入姫皇女) • Princess Kagoyori-hime-miko (麛依姫皇女) • Prince Isakiirihiko (五十狭城入彦皇子) • Prince Kibinoehiko (吉備兄彦皇子) • Princess Takagiiri-hime-miko (高城入姫皇女) • Princess Oto-hime-miko (弟姫皇女) |
Concubines
edit| Name | Father | Issue |
|---|---|---|
| Mizuhanoiratsume (水歯郎媛) | Prince Iwatsukuwake[e] | • Princess Ionono-hime-miko (五百野皇女) |
| Ikawa-hime (五十河媛) | Unknown | • Prince Kamukushi (神櫛皇子) • Prince Inaseirihiko (稲背入彦皇子) |
| Abenotakada-hime (阿倍高田媛) | Abe no Kogoto | • Prince Takekunikoriwake (武国凝別皇子) |
| Himuka no Kaminagaootane (日向髪長大田根) | Unknown | • Prince Himuka no Sotsuhiko (日向襲津彦皇子) |
| Sonotake-hime (襲武媛) | Unknown | • Prince Kunichiwake (国乳別皇子) • Prince Kunisewake (国背別皇子) • Prince Toyotowake (豊戸別皇子) |
| Himukanomihakashi-hime (日向御刀媛) | Unknown | • Prince Toyokuniwake (豊国別皇子) |
| Inabinowakairatsume (伊那毘若郎女) | Prince Wakatakehiko | • Prince Mawaka (真若王) • Prince Hikohitoōe (彦人大兄命) |
| Igoto-hime (五十琴姫命) | Mononobe no Igui | • Prince Igotohiko (五十功彦命) |
| Unknown | Unknown | • See below |
Issue
edit01.jpg)
| Status | Name | Mother | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prince | Kushitsunowake (櫛角別王) | Harima no Inabi no Ōiratsume | |
| Prince | Ōusu (大碓皇子) | Harima no Inabi no Ōiratsume | Ancestor of Mugetsu no kimi (身毛津君) |
| Prince | Yamato Takeru (aka Ōsu) (小碓尊) | Harima no Inabi no Ōiratsume | Ōsu, later known as Yamato Takeru, was the father of Emperor Chūai. |
| Prince | Wakatarashihiko (稚足彦尊) | Yasakairi-hime | Wakatarashihiko became the next emperor. (Known as "Seimu" posthumously) |
| Prince | Iokiirihiko (五百城入彦皇子) | Yasakairi-hime | |
| Prince | Oshinowake (忍之別皇子) | Yasakairi-hime | |
| Prince | Wakayamatoneko (稚倭根子皇子) | Yasakairi-hime | |
| Prince | Ōsuwake (大酢別皇子) | Yasakairi-hime | |
| Princess | Nunoshino-hime-miko (渟熨斗皇女) | Yasakairi-hime | |
| Princess | Iokiirihime-miko (五百城入姫皇女) | Yasakairi-hime | |
| Princess | Kagoyori-hime-miko (麛依姫皇女) | Yasakairi-hime | |
| Prince | Isakiirihiko (五十狭城入彦皇子) | Yasakairi-hime | Isakiirihiko is the ancestor of Mitsukai no Muraji (御使連) |
| Prince | Kibinoehiko (吉備兄彦皇子) | Yasakairi-hime | |
| Princess | Takagiiri-hime-miko (高城入姫皇女) | Yasakairi-hime | |
| Princess | Oto-hime-miko (弟姫皇女) | Yasakairi-hime | |
| Princess | Ionono-hime-miko (五百野皇女) | Mizuhanoiratsume | Ionono-hime-miko was possibly also a Saiō. |
| Prince | Kamukushi (神櫛皇子) | Ikawa-hime | |
| Prince | Inaseirihiko (稲背入彦皇子) | Ikawa-hime | |
| Prince | Takekunikoriwake (武国凝別皇子) | Abenotakada-hime | |
| Prince | Himuka no Sotsuhiko (日向襲津彦皇子) | Himuka no Kaminagaootane | |
| Prince | Kunichiwake (国乳別皇子) | Sonotake-hime | |
| Prince | Kunisewake (国背別皇子) | Sonotake-hime | |
| Prince | Toyotowake (豊戸別皇子) | Sonotake-hime | |
| Prince | Toyokuniwake (豊国別皇子) | Himukanomihakashi-hime | Ancestor of Himuka no Kuni no miyatsuko (日向国造) |
| Prince | Mawaka (真若王) | Inabinowakairatsume | |
| Prince | Hikohitoōe (彦人大兄命) | Inabinowakairatsume | |
| Prince | Igotohiko (五十功彦命) | Igoto-hime | |
| Princess | Shirogane (銀王) | Unknown | Married Prince Hikohitoōe |
| Prince | Wakaki-no-Irihiko (若木之入日子王) | Unknown | Speculated as the same person with Prince Iokiirihiko |
| Prince | Wakayahiko (稚屋彦命) | Unknown | |
| Prince | Amatarashine (天帯根命) | Unknown | |
| Prince | Takekunikowake (武国皇別命) | Unknown | Speculated as the same person with Prince Takekunikoriwake |
| Prince | Ososhikowake (大曽色別命) | Unknown | |
| Prince | Iwakosowake (石社別命) | Unknown | |
| Prince | Takeoshiwake (武押別命) | Unknown | Speculated as the same person with Prince Oshinowake |
| Prince | Sonomewake (曽能目別命) | Unknown | |
| Prince | Tochiribiko (十市入彦命) | Unknown | |
| Prince | Sonowashiwake (襲小橋別命) | Unknown | |
| Prince | Shirokoriwake (色己焦別命) | Unknown | |
| Prince | Okinaga-no-hikohitoōe-Mizuki (息長彦人大兄水城命) | Unknown | Speculated as the same person with Prince Hikohitoōe |
| Prince | Kuma-no-Oshitsuhiko (熊忍津彦命) | Unknown | |
| Prince | Takeotowake (武弟別命) | Unknown | |
| Prince | Kusaki (草木命) | Unknown | |
| Prince | Tagotowake (手事別命) | Unknown | |
| Prince | Oaretowake (大我門別命) | Unknown | |
| Prince | Toyohiwake (豊日別命) | Unknown | |
| Prince | Mikawa-no-Sukune (三河宿禰命) | Unknown | |
| Prince | Toyotewaka (豊手別命) | Unknown | |
| Prince | Yamato-no-Sukune (倭宿禰命) | Unknown | |
| Prince | Toyotsuhiko (豊津彦命) | Unknown | |
| Prince | Okoriwake (大焦別命) | Unknown |
See also
editNotes
edit- ↑ The 29th Emperor[5][7]
- ↑ Kanmu was the 50th sovereign of the imperial dynasty
- ↑ Wakatakehiko was one of Emperor Kōrei's sons.
- ↑ Yasakairihiko was one of Emperor Sujin's sons.
- ↑ Iwatsukuwake was one of Emperor Suinin's sons.
References
edit- ↑ "Genealogy of the Emperors of Japan" (PDF). Kunaicho.go.jp. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 22, 2011. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
- 1 2 3 Kenneth Henshall (2013). Historical Dictionary of Japan to 1945. Scarecrow Press. p. 487. ISBN 9780810878723.
- 1 2 3 Memoirs of the Research Department of the Toyo Bunko (the Oriental Library), Issues 32-34. Toyo Bunko. 1974. p. 63. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
- 1 2 "景行天皇 (12)". Imperial Household Agency (Kunaichō) (in Japanese). Retrieved July 31, 2019.
- 1 2 Titsingh, Isaac. (1834). Nihon Ōdai Ichiran (in French). Royal Asiatic Society, Oriental Translation Fund of Great Britain and Ireland. pp. 11, 34–36.
- ↑ Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1959). The Imperial House of Japan, p. 33.
- 1 2 Brown, Delmer M. and Ichirō Ishida (1979). A Translation and Study of the Gukanshō, an Interpretative History of Japan Written in 1219. University of California Press. pp. 248, 261–262. ISBN 9780520034600.
- 1 2 Brinkley, Frank, Dairoku, Kikuchi (1915). A History of the Japanese People: From the Earliest Times to the End of the Meiji Era. Encyclopaedia Britannica Company. p. 85. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
emperor keiko children.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - 1 2 3 Aston, William George. (1896). Nihongi: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to A.D. 697, Volume 2. The Japan Society London. p. 109 & 188–214. ISBN 9780524053478.
{{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help) - 1 2 3 Ponsonby-Fane, Richard (1953). Studies in Shinto and Shrines. Ponsonby-Fane Society Publications. pp. 419, 433–435.
- ↑ Kelly, Charles F. "Kofun Culture". www.t-net.ne.jp. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
- ↑ Brinkley, Frank (1915). A History of the Japanese People from the Earliest Times to the end of the Meiji Era. Encyclopaedia Britannica Company. p. 21.
Posthumous names for the earthly Mikados were invented in the reign of Emperor Kanmu (782–805), i.e., after the date of the compilation of the Records and the Chronicles.
- ↑ Japan Review: Bulletin of the International Research Center for Japanese Studies, Issue 1. International Research Center for Japanese Studies. 1990. p. 37. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
- ↑ Brinkley, Francis (1911). . In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 15 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 252–273, see page 253.
- ↑ The New Werner Twentieth Century Edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica: Volume 13. Werner Company. 1906. p. 591. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
- ↑ Hoye, Timothy. (1999). Japanese Politics: Fixed and Floating Worlds. Prentice Hall. p. 78. ISBN 9780132712897.
According to legend, the first Japanese Emperor was Jimmu. Along with the next 13 Emperors, Jimmu is not considered an actual, historical figure. Historically verifiable Emperors of Japan date from the early sixth century with Kimmei.
- ↑ Hosokawa, Bill (1997). Old Man Thunder: Father of the Bullet Train. Sogo Way. p. 9. ISBN 9780965958004. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
Further reading
edit- Aston, William George. (1896). Nihongi: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to A.D. 697. London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner. OCLC 448337491
- Brown, Delmer M. and Ichirō Ishida, eds. (1979). Gukanshō: The Future and the Past. Berkeley: University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-03460-0; OCLC 251325323
- Chamberlain, Basil Hall. (1920). The Kojiki. Read before the Asiatic Society of Japan on April 12, May 10, and June 21, 1882; reprinted, May, 1919. OCLC 1882339
- Ponsonby-Fane, Richard Arthur Brabazon. (1959). The Imperial House of Japan. Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society. OCLC 194887
- __________. (1953). Studies in Shinto and Shrines.[permanent dead link] Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society. OCLC 470294859
- Titsingh, Isaac. (1834). Nihon Ōdai Ichiran; ou, Annales des empereurs du Japon. Paris: Royal Asiatic Society, Oriental Translation Fund of Great Britain and Ireland. OCLC 5850691
- Varley, H. Paul. (1980). Jinnō Shōtōki: A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns. New York: Columbia University Press. ISBN 978-0-231-04940-5; OCLC 59145842