Emperors of Japan

Emperors of Japan

Prince Mayowa
Symbol of the Chrysanthemum Throne.

Here follows a list of all Emperors (天皇) of Japan on our website so far.

Legendary Emperors

No.NameCommentsImage
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.Annei549-510BC
4.Itoku510-475BC
5.Kōshō475-392BC
6.Kōan392-290BC
7.Kōrei290-214BC
8.Kōgen214-158BC
9.Kaika158-98BC
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.NameCommentsImage
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.NameCommentsImage
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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Emperors of Japan