Hear this tale on Episode B13 of our Podcast, the Japan Archives.

• • Reign: 510-477BC
  • Born: 554/553BC
  • Period: Legendary Period
  • Family: Emperor Annei (father) Nunasoko Nakatsuhime (mother) Amatoyotsuhime (wife) Emperor Kōshō (son) Takeshihiko (son)
  • Burial place: misasagi on Mount Unebi
  • Order of Succession: Predecessor Emperor Annei  * Successor Emperor Kōshō

Emperor Itoku

Emperor Itoku (懿徳 天皇) was the fourth Emperor of Japan also known as Oyamatohikosukitomo (大倭日子鉏友命).¹² He ruled from 510-477BC.¹

Family

Emperor Itoku was the second son of Emperor Annei and Nunasoko Nakatsuhime¹²³ though we are not sure why he was chosen over his older brother to take the throne.¹ Itoku would go on to marry Amatoyotsuhime and together they would have the future Emperor Kōshō.¹²⁴ The Kojiki mentions an additional child by the name of Takeshihiko.⁴

Reign

Emperor Itoku ascended to the throne in 510BC,³ having been made heir to the throne in the “11th year, Spring, 1st month” of Annei’s reign. He is said to have been 16 at the time.²

Events from his reign detailed in the Nihongi are as follows:

• • 1st year, Spring, 2nd month, 4th day Itoku takes the throne.
  • Autumn, 8th month, 1st day. Emperor Annei is buried in his misasagi.
  • 9th month, 14th day. He gives the Empress the title Kodaigo.
  • 2nd year, Spring, 1st month, 5th day. Capital is moved to Karu residing in the Palace of Magario.
  • 2nd month, 11th day. Amatoyotsuhime is made Empress.
    • Two alternative versions say this was:
      • Idzuhime, daughter of Otoite, son of Haye, Agatanushi of Shiki.
      • Ihihime, daughter of Futomawakahiko, Agatanushi of Shiki.
  • 22nd year, Spring, 2nd month, 12th day. Kōshō is made heir.
  • 34th year, Autumn, 9th month, 8th day. Itoku passes away.²

Emperor Itoku died aged 77³ and is said to have reigned for 45 years in the Kojiki and not 34 years like in other sources.⁴

His misasagi is located on Mount Unebi.⁴

Footnotes

1. Ponsonby, F. (1959) “The Imperial House of Japan.” Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society.
2. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.
3. Varley, H.P (1980) “A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns: Jinnō Shōtōki of Kitabatake Chikafusa.” New York: Columbia University Press.
4. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.

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Hear this tale on Episode B13 of our Podcast, the Japan Archives.

• • Reign: 548-511BC
  • Born: 568/567BC
  • Period: Legendary Period
  • Family: Emperor Suizei (father) Isuzuyorihime (mother) Nunasoko Nakatsuhime (wife) Tokotsuhikoirone (son) Emperor Itoku (son) Shikitsuhiko (son) Ikishimimi? (son)
  • Burial place: misasagi on Mount Unebi
  • Order of Succession: Predecessor Emperor Suizei  * Successor Emperor Itoku

Emperor Annei

Emperor Annei (安寧 天皇) was the third Emperor of Japan also known as Shikitsuhiko tamatemi (師木津日子玉手見命).¹² He ruled from 548-511BC.¹

Family

Emperor Annei was the son of Isuzuyorihime and Emperor Suizei.²³⁴ He was married to Nanasoko Nakatsuhime²³⁵ and together they had three sons.

The sons differ depending on the source.

In the Kojiki the three sons are said to have been Tokotsuhikoirone, Emperor Itoku and Shikitsuhiko. This is agreed in an alternate narrative in the Nihongi²⁵ but the main text of the Nihongi lists only two sons, these being Ikishimimi and Emperor Itoku.²

Reign

Annei ascended to the throne in 548BC²⁴ taking the throne two months after his fathers death. He was made heir to the throne in 557BC.²

Events from his reign detailed in the Nihongi are as follows:

• • 1st year, Winter, 10th month, 11th day. Emperor Suizei buried in his misasagi. He also gives the Empress the title Kodaigo.
  • 2nd year, capital moved to Katashio residing in the Palace of Ukiana.
  • 3rd year, Spring, 1st month, 5th day. Nunasoko Nakatsuhime made empress.
    • Two alternative versions say this was:
      • Kahatsuhime, daughter of Haye, Agatanushi of Shiki.
      • Daughter of Ohama no Sukune.
    • Before making her Empress she bore him two sons, Ikishimimi and Itoku.
      • An alternative version says Tokotsuhikoirone, Itoku, then Shikutsuhiko.
  • 11th year, 1st month, 1st day. Itoku made Prince Imperial.
  • 38th year, Winter, 11th month, 6th day the Emperor passes away.²

Emperor Annei died aged 57³⁴ and his misasagi is located on Mount Unebi.⁵

He was buried in his masasagi in the 1st year, Autumn, 8th month, 1st day of Emperor Itoku’s reign.²

The Kojiki satates he reigned for 49 years and not 38 like in other sources.⁵

Footnotes

1. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
2. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.
3. Ponsonby, F. (1959) “The Imperial House of Japan.” Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society.
4. Varley, H.P (1980) “A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns: Jinnō Shōtōki of Kitabatake Chikafusa.” New York: Columbia University Press.
5. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.

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Misasagi (陵) is a term for tombs (usually kofun tombs) of the Emperors and Imperial Family up until 701AD.¹

The name of misasagi for Emperors are shown below.

Legendary Period

• • [2] Emperor Suizei – Tsukidaoka – 桃花鳥田丘上陵.
    • • The location of this tomb is unknown, but it is said to have been close to Emperor Jimmu’s.²
  • [3] Emperor Annei – Unebiyama – 畝傍山西南御陰井上陵
    • • Said to be located on the slopes of Mount Unebi.²
  • [4] Emperor Itoku – Manago-dani – 畝傍山南纖沙溪上陵
    • Said to be located on the slopes of Mount Unebi.²
  • [5] Emperor Kōshō – Waki no Kami – 掖上博多山上陵
    • Said to be located on the slopes of Hakatayama.²
  • [6] Emperor Kōan – Tamade – 玉手丘上陵.²
  • [7] Emperor Kōrei – Mumazaka – 片丘馬坂陵²
  • [8] Emperor Kōgen – Tsurugi Lake – 劔池嶋上陵
    • A pond built during Emperor Ōjin‘s reign, now in Kashihara, Nara Prefecture.²
  • [9] Emperor Kaika – Isakaha in Kasuga – 春日率川坂上陵
    • The nihongi alternatively says it is called Sakamoto Misasagi.³
  • [10] Emperor Sujin – Magarinooka in Isonokami – 山邊道勾岡上陵²
  • [11] Emperor Suinin – Fushimi, Sugahara – 菅原伏見東陵³
    • The kojiki alternatively says Mitachi, Sugahara.²
  • [11] Empress Hibasuhime – Terama, Saki.²³
  • [13] Emperor Seimu – Saki no Tatanami – 狭城盾列池後陵.²

Footnotes

1. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
2. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.
3. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.

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• Period: Legendary Period
• Occupation: Prince
• Family: Emperor Jimmu (father) Emperor Suizei (brother) Tagishimimi (half-brother)
• Birth: –
• Death: –

Kamiyawimimi

Kamiyawimimi (神八井耳命) was a son of Emperor Jimmu, brother to Emperor Suizei and half-brother to Tagishimimi.

After learning of the plot to have him and his brother killed by his brother Tagishimimi they take action to stop this by killing him.

Ultimately he does not find the courage to kill Tagishimimi and so Suizei does the deed shooting him with an arrow. Kamiyawimimi then states his brother should take the throne, even though he is younger than him due, to his courage.

He states he would act as his assisstant whilst Suizei was on the throne.¹²

He died in 578BC and is said to have been buried on the northern side of Mount Unebi.²

Footnotes

1. Ponsonby, F. (1959) “The Imperial House of Japan.” Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society.
2. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.

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Yamato Sanzan (大和三山, Three Hillls of Yamato) are located near the city of Kashihara in Nara Prefecture, Kansai Region.

These three mountains are Unebiyama, Amanokagushima and Miminashiyama. All three of them are formed of igneous rock and are mentioned in the Man’yōshū.¹

Mount Unebi

• • Co-ordinates: 34°29′32.5″N135°47′06″E
  • Height: 199.2m

Mount Unebi (畝傍山), also known as Jimyō-ji San, is according to tradition where Emperor Jimmu both lived and was buried here. At the peak of the mountain the Shinto shrine, Kashiwabara-jingu, was constructed in his honor in 1889. Close by are the tombs supposedly for the Emperors Annei and Itoku.² Prince Kamiyawimimi is said to have been buried on its northern side.⁴

Mount Kagu

• • Co-ordinates: 34°29′43.5″N135°49′05.5″E
  • Height: 152.4m
  • Location: East of Kashihara city.³

Time of the kami

Mount Kagu (香具山 – Mount Gleaming/Mount Hanging) is said to have descended from Heaven to Earth and is stated to be home of the kami Nakisawame, who lives at the base of the tree trunks there according to the Kojiki.

The mountain is later mentioned in Kojiki after Amaterasu hides in the Sacred Rock Cave. A stag is gathered from here and used for divination by Ameno Futodama and Ameno Koyane while the kami figure out how to coax her from the cave. A sacred tree is also taken from here from which a sacred mirror and magatama are hung from. This tree is later used in the attempt to get Amaterasu to leave the cave.³ An alternative version of the Nihongi says Ishikoridome gathered copper from here to form a Sun Spear to help in bringing her from the cave.⁴

Reign of Emperor Sujin

During the reign of this Emperor, it is said Atabime (wife of Takehaniyasuhiko) was seen taking soil from here. She places it in her neckerchief and turns it over saying that it symbolised the land of Yamato. This was taken as proof she and her husband were going to attack the Emperor and try and overturn his rule.⁴

Poems

One poem concerning Mount Kagu can be found in the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu and goes as follows:

Mount Miminashi

• • Co-ordinates: 34°30′53″N135°48′20″E
  • Height: 139.7

Footnotes

1. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
2. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
3. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.
4. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697″. Tuttle Publishing.
5. MacMillan, P. (2018) ”One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each: A Treasury of Classical Japanese Verse”. St. Ives: Penguin Classics.
6. Suzuki, H. et al. (1997) ”Genshoku: Ogura Hyakunin Isshu”. Tokyo: Bun’eidō.

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Hear this tale on Episode B13 of our Podcast, the Japan Archives.

• • Reign: 581-549BC
  • Born: 633/632BC
  • Period: Legendary Period
  • Family: Emperor Jimmu (father) Himetatara Isuzuhime (mother) Isuzuyorihime (wife) Emperor Annei (son) Kamiyawimimi (brother) Tagishimimi (half-brother)
  • Burial place: Tsukidaoka
  • Order of Succession: Predecessor Emperor Jimmu  * Successor Emperor Annei

Emperor Suizei

Emperor Suizei (綏靖 天皇) was the second Emperor of Japan and is also known as Kamu-nunagahaha-mimi (神沼河耳命). In the Nihongi this Emperor is described as being of distinguished manners and appearance and that he was gigantic. He ruled from 581-549BC.¹

Family

Suizei was a son of Emperor Jimmu and Himetataraisuzuhime.¹²³

He would later marry Isuzuyorihime and together they would have Emperor Annei.¹³⁴

Prior to Reign

It is said in the Nihongi that upon his fathers death he made the funerary arrangements his great care.¹

His elder brother Tagishimimi wished to see the end to his two brothers, however, Suizei and Kamiyawimimi learn of this plan. Taking a bow they find Tagishimimi alone and in the end Kamiyawimimi is to afraid to take the shot. Suizei then takes the bow and kills their brother. Because of this Kamiyawimimi says Suizei should take the throne due to his bravey, even though he was the youngest of the two of them.

He then ascends, four years after his fathers death.¹³

The Nihongi makes some expansions on this saying they had Yumi Be no Wakahiko create the bow, Yamato no Kanuchi Amatsumara make a true-deer arrow-point and the Ya Be to make arrows. It also states Suizei shot his brother twice, the first time in the breast and the second in the back.¹

Reign

Suizei ascended to the throne in 581BC.¹²

Events from his reign detailed in the Nihongi as follows:

• • 1st year, Spring, 1st Month, 8th Day: Ascends to the throne with his capital at Katsuragi residing in the Palace of Takaoka. He also gives the Empress (Himetatara) the title of Kodaigō (Great Empress)
  • 2nd year, Spring, 1st Month. Isuzuyori is appointed Empress.
    • Two alternative versions say this was:
      • Kahamatahime, daughter of Agatanushi of Shiki.
      • Itorihime, daughter of Ohohimoro, Agatanushi of Kasuga.
    • She bore him a son, the future Emperor Annei.
  • 4th year, Summer, 4th Month Kamiyawimimi dies, buried on the Northern side of Mt. Unebi.
  • (557BC) 25th year, Spring, 1st month, 7th day. Annei made heir.
  • 33rd year, Summer, 5th month. The Emperor falls ill, 10th day of the same month he passes away.¹

Suizei died aged aged 84.¹²³ and his misasagi was located at Tsukidaoka.⁴

He was buried in his misasagi in the 1st year, Winter, 10th month, 11th day of Annei’s reign.¹

The Kojiki states he reigned for 45 years and not 33 as other sources claim.⁴

Footnotes

1. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.
2. Varley, H.P (1980) “A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns: Jinnō Shōtōki of Kitabatake Chikafusa.” New York: Columbia University Press.
3. Ponsonby, F. (1959) “The Imperial House of Japan.” Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society.
4. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.

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Hear about Emperor Jimmu on Episodes 54A, 54B and 54C of our Podcast, the Japan Archives.

• • Reign: 660-584BC
  • Period: Legendary Period
  • Family: Emperor Suizei (son)
  • Burial Place: Near Mount Unebi.
  • Order of Succession: Predecessor N/A  * Successor Emperor Suizei

Emperor Jimmu

Emperor Jimmu (神武天皇) was the first legendary Emperor of Japan, dated in the Nihongi to have begun his rule on 11th February 660BC in Kashihara, in the Province of Yamato.¹ His name as Emperor was Kamu Yamato Iwarehiko no Mikoto (神倭伊波礼琵古命) and his personal name was Sanu.⁵

He is famed as the descendant of the Sun kami Amaterasu, his grandfather being Ninigi ² and it is likely if he truly existed that he was a tribal leader in the Yayoi Period³. During his lifetime he had three sons, one of them being Emperor Suizei the next Emperor.¹

It wasn’t until he reached the age of 45 that he became aware of his call to destiny where he assumed the mantle of stewardship, it is then stated in the Nihongi he uttered to his followers:

From the date when our heavenly ancestor descended until now it is over 1,792,470 years. But the remote regions do not yet enjoy the blessings of Imperial rule. Every town has always been allowed to have his lord and every village its chief, each one for himself, makes division and territory and practises mutual aggression and conflict.¹

And so Jimmu began to move Eastwards from Kyushu with his followers in an attempt to bring Japan under his control⁴, heading along the shores of the Inland Sea subduing the Yamato region.¹ During this period there were a few incident one of which being when he and his men came to an impassable terrain. Amaterasu came to Jimmu in a dream saying she would send the Yatagarasu (Sun Crow) to lead him through the impasse. Soon the crow appeared and showed his army and him the way. Another time found him in a battle with no decisive victory. It became dark and hail began to fall. Then a golden hawk appeared, standing on the tip of Jimmu’s bow. And from this lightning fell, sending his enemies into confusion, gaining Jimmu’s forces victory.³

Eventually, he became Emperor, bringing with him the Sacred Regalia to a palace erected in Kashihara where her undertook ceremonies to Amaterasu and was then proclaimed Emperor. After this, he granted the title of Empress to his wife and ruled for 76 years dying at the age of 127.¹

His decendants carried on after him to defeat the rulers of Izumo, bringing them and their kami under the Emperors rule.²

Modern Day

Between the years 1873 and 1945 an Imperial Envoy was sent every April 3rd to the spot north-east of Mount Unebi which is officially recognised as Jimmu’s tomb, bringing with them offerings from the mountains, rivers and sea.¹

Footnotes

1. Martin, P. (1997) ”The Chrysanthemum Throne”. Gloucestershire: Sutton Publishing Limited.
2. Collcutt, M., Jansen, M., Kumakura, I. (1998) “Cultural Atlas of Japan” New York: Facts on File Inc.
3. Kidder, J. (1964) “Early Japanese Art” London: Thames & Hudson.
4. Clements, J. (2010) “The Samurai: A New History of the Warrior Elite” London: Robinson Press.
5. Ponsonby, F. (1959) “The Imperial House of Japan.” Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society.

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