Emperors of Japan
Table of Contents
Emperors of Japan

Here follows a list of all Emperors (天皇) of Japan on our website so far.
Legendary Emperors
No. | Name | Comments | Image |
---|---|---|---|
1. | Jimmu 神武天皇 | 660-581BC (Nihongi) First Emperor after bringing the Sacred Regalia to a Palace erected in Kashihara. | ![]() |
2. | Suizei 綏靖天皇 | 581-549BC. Became Emperor after killing one of his brothers. | ![]() |
3. | Annei | 549-510BC | ![]() |
4. | Itoku | 510-475BC | ![]() |
5. | Kōshō | 475-392BC | ![]() |
6. | Kōan | 392-290BC | ![]() |
7. | Kōrei | 290-214BC | ![]() |
8. | Kōgen | 214-158BC | ![]() |
9. | Kaika | 158-98BC | ![]() |
10. | Sujin 崇神天皇 | 98-29BC Great pestilence during his reign as the Gods did not like to be worshipped collectively. So he set up seperate shrines for seperate deities. | ![]() |
11. | Suinin 垂仁天皇 | 29BC-71AD Had the Sacred Mirror enshrined in the Ise Grand Shrine . | ![]() |
12. | Keikō 景行天皇 | 71-131AD His son Yamato Dake led many military expedition on his father's behalf against the Yemishi people. | ![]() |
13. | Seimu 成務天皇 | 131-192AD Creditted with the appointment of the first provincial governors and district officials. | ![]() |
14. | Chūai 仲哀天皇 | 192-200AD | ![]() |
- | Jingu 神功皇后 | 200-270AD First Empress of Japan. | ![]() |
Kofun Period
No. | Name | Comments | Image |
---|---|---|---|
15. | Ōjin 応神天皇 | 270-313AD After his death he was apotheosised as the God of War Hachiman. | ![]() |
16. | Nintoku 仁徳天皇 | 313-400AD Reduced the taxation of his people as their poverty meant they couldn't afford to cook rice. | ![]() |
17. | Richū 履中天皇 | 400-406AD Established the Imperial Treasury. | |
18. | Hanzei 反正天皇 | 406-412AD Said to have been 9 feet tall and had enormous teeth all of the same size. | |
19. | Ingyō 允恭天皇 | 412-453AD Suffered from leg paralysis which was cured by a Korean Physician. | ![]() |
20. | Ankō 安康天皇 | 453-456AD Decapitated by his nephew Prince Mayowa. | ![]() |
21. | Yūryaku 雄略天皇 | 456-479AD Recorded to have murdered all heirs to secure the throne. | ![]() |
22. | Seinei 清寧天皇 | 479-485AD Known to have had a dislike of dogs, horses and 'playthings.' | |
23. | Kenzō 顕宗天皇 | 485-488AD Asked the Crown Prince Ninken to destroy the tomb of Emperor Yuryaku. | ![]() |
24. | Ninken 仁賢天皇 | 488-498AD Was asked by his brother Emperor Kenzo to destroy the tomb of Yuryaku. | ![]() |
25. | Buretsu 武烈天皇 | 498-507AD Known to have been an evil man who liked to inflict punishment on people. | |
26. | Keitai 継体天皇 | 507-531AD He was the first Emperor to abdicate. | |
27. | Ankan 安閑天皇 | 531-536AD Died childless aged 70. | |
28. | Senka 宣化天皇 | 536-539AD Established Soga no Iname as his executive first Minister. |
Asuka Period
No. | Name | Comments | Image |
---|---|---|---|
29. | Kinmei 欽明天皇 | 539-71AD During his reign Buddhism first made an appearance in the country. Emperor Kudara from Korea gifting images of the Buddha and scriptures. | ![]() |
30. | Bidatsu敏達天皇 | 572-85AD During his reign there were court power struggles with the Soga Clan. | |
31. | Yōmei用明天皇 | 585-7AD During his reign, Buddhism is finally adopted in the country. | ![]() |
32. | Sushun崇峻天皇 | 587-92AD He was placed on the throne by Soga no Umako. | |
33. | Suiko推古天皇 | 593-628AD She installed her nephew (Shōtoku Taisha) as Crown Prince and as the de-facto leader now helped reorganised her court. | ![]() |
34. | Jomei舒明天皇 | 629-41AD Puppet of Soga no Emishi during his reign. | |
35. | Kōgyoku皇極天皇 | 642-45AD Placed on the throne by Soga no Emishi and his son Soga no Iruka. | ![]() |
36. | Kōtoku孝徳天皇 | 645-54AD Created the departments of Ommyoryo and Jingikan. | |
37. | Saimei 斉明天皇 | 655-61AD Second reign of Kogyoku. Dies before battle in Chikuzen Province. | ![]() |
38. | Tenji天智天皇 | 661-71AD Helped destroy the Soga Clan and create the Taika Reforms. | ![]() |
39. | Kōbun弘文天皇 | 672AD Defeated during the Jinshin no Ran and committed suicide. | ![]() |
40. | Tenmu天武天皇 | 673-86AD Instated the tradition of rebuilding the Ise Grand Shrine every twenty years as a symbol of rebirth. | ![]() |
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