Emperor Keitai
Encyclopedia
, also known as Keitai-okimi, was the 26th emperor of Japan
Emperor of Japan
The Emperor of Japan is, according to the 1947 Constitution of Japan, "the symbol of the state and of the unity of the people." He is a ceremonial figurehead under a form of constitutional monarchy and is head of the Japanese Imperial Family with functions as head of state. He is also the highest...

, according to the traditional order of succession.

No firm dates can be assigned to this emperor's life or reign, but he is conventionally considered to have reigned from 507–531.

Legendary narrative

Keitai is considered to have ruled the country during the early-6th century, but there is a paucity of information about him. There is insufficient material available for further verification and study. Significant differences exist in the records of the Kojiki
Kojiki
is the oldest extant chronicle in Japan, dating from the early 8th century and composed by Ō no Yasumaro at the request of Empress Gemmei. The Kojiki is a collection of myths concerning the origin of the four home islands of Japan, and the Kami...

and the Nihon Shoki
Nihon Shoki
The , sometimes translated as The Chronicles of Japan, is the second oldest book of classical Japanese history. It is more elaborate and detailed than the Kojiki, the oldest, and has proven to be an important tool for historians and archaeologists as it includes the most complete extant historical...

.

Kojiki puts this emperor's birth year at 485; and his date of death is said to have been April 9, 527. In the extant account, he is called Ōdo no Mikoto (袁本杼命).

Nihon Shoki gives his birth year at 450; and he is said to have died on February 7, 531 or 534. In this historical record, he is said to have been called Ōdo no Kimi (男大迹王) and Hikofuto no Mikoto (彦太尊). Also, records identify him as Wo Ofu Ato-no-Hiko Fudo no Mikoto.

In other historical records, he is said to have originally been King of Koshi
Koshi Province
was an ancient province or region of Japan in the area of Echigo, Etchū and Echizen provinces. Also encompassed are Noto and Kaga provinces which were once part of Echizen. It was sometimes called ....

, a smaller tribal entity, apparently in northern parts of central Japan, perhaps as far as the coast of Sea of Japan
Sea of Japan
The Sea of Japan is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean, between the Asian mainland, the Japanese archipelago and Sakhalin. It is bordered by Japan, North Korea, Russia and South Korea. Like the Mediterranean Sea, it has almost no tides due to its nearly complete enclosure from the Pacific...

. Some modern reference works of history call Keitai just as King Ohoto of Koshi.

Keitai's contemporary title would not have been tennō, as most historians believe this title was not introduced until the reigns of Emperor Tenmu and Empress Jitō
Empress Jito
was the 41st emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Jitō's reign spanned the years from 686 through 697.In the history of Japan, Jitō was the third of eight women to take on the role of empress regnant. The two female monarchs before Jitō were Suiko and Kōgyoku/Saimei...

. Rather, it was presumably Sumeramikoto or Amenoshita Shiroshimesu Ōkimi (治天下大王), meaning "the great king who rules all under heaven." Alternatively, Keitai might have been referred to as (ヤマト大王/大君) or the "Great King of Yamato."

Genealogy

If Emperor Keitai began a new dynasty as some historians believe, then Emperor Buretsu
Emperor Buretsu
was the 25th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.No firm dates can be assigned to this emperor's life or reign, but he is conventionally considered to have reigned from 498–506.-Legendary narrative:...

 would have been the last monarch of the first recorded dynasty of Japan.

Keitai was not the son of the immediate previous monarch. According to the Kojiki (712) and Nihon Shoki (720), Buretsu died without a successor. At which time, a fifth generation grandson of Emperor Ōjin
Emperor Ojin
, also known as Homutawake or , was the 15th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.No firm dates can be assigned to this emperor's life or reign, but he is conventionally considered to have reigned from 270 to 310....

, Keitai, came and ascended the throne.

The genealogical trees of the Nihon Shoki have been lost; and the accuracy of its account of events remains unknown. This uncertainty raises arguable doubts about this emperor's genealogy.

Genealogy information is supplemented in Shaku Nihongi
Shaku Nihongi
is an annotated text of the Nihon Shoki. Compiled by Urabe Kanekata between 1274 and 1301, it is 28 volumes in length.-Contents:The 28 volumes are divided into seven sections:*volume 1: a commentary introducing the material of the text...

which quotes from the now lost text Jōgūki (7th century). It says he was a son of Ushi no Kimi, a grandson of Ohi no Kimi, a great-grandson of Ohohoto no Kimi (brother to Emperor Ingyō's
Emperor Ingyo
was the 19th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.No firm dates can be assigned to this emperor's life or reign, but he is conventionally considered to have reigned from 411–453.-Legendary narrative:...

 consort), a great-great-grandson of Wakanuke Futamata no Kimi, and a great-great-great-grandson of Emperor Ōjin.

According to Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, his father was Hikoushi no Kimi and his mother was Furihime. When Buretsu died, Kanamura recommended Keitai at his age of 58 as a possible heir to the Yamato throne.

Although genealogy information described in Shaku Nihongi
Shaku Nihongi
is an annotated text of the Nihon Shoki. Compiled by Urabe Kanekata between 1274 and 1301, it is 28 volumes in length.-Contents:The 28 volumes are divided into seven sections:*volume 1: a commentary introducing the material of the text...

leave room for discussion, many scholars acknowledge the blood relationship with Okinaga clan, a powerful local ruling family or the collateral line of Imperial family governed Oumi region (a part of present-day Shiga Prefecture). This family produced a lot of empresses and consorts in history. According to Nihon Shoki, Ohohoto no Kimi, the great-grandfather of Emperor Keitai, married into Okinaga clan. Keitai's mother Furihime was from a local ruling family in Koshi (Echizen province
Echizen Province
was an old province of Japan, which is today the northern part of Fukui Prefecture. It was sometimes called , with Etchū and Echigo Provinces.Echizen is famous for washi . A text dated AD 774 mentions the washi made in this area. Echizen-produced Washi is still the most commonly sold traditional...

), so his mother brought him to her home after his father's death. Interestingly, abundant traditions relating to Imperial family have been passed down by shrines and old-established families in both regions.

Korean scholars have taken this further by theorizing an implied fraternal relationship between the Muryeong and this legendary Emperor of Japan. Korean scholars have theorized that Emperor Keitai may be a brother of Muryeong of Baekje
Muryeong of Baekje
Muryeong of Baekje was the 25th king of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. During his reign, Baekje remained allied with Silla against Goguryeo, and expanded its relationships with China and Japan.-Background:...

 and they may be sons of Konchi of Baekje (곤지, 昆支). If so, then this legendary figure would also be the son of Munju of Baekje
Munju of Baekje
Munju of Baekje was the 22nd king of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. His reign saw considerable disunity within Baekje following the fall of its capital in present-day Seoul.-Background:...

.

Regardless of speculation about Keitai's genealogy, it is well-settled that there was an extended period of disputes over the succession which developed after Keitai's death. The confrontation between adherents of two branches of the Yamato, pitting the supporters of sons who would become known as Emperor Ankan
Emperor Ankan
was the 27th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.No firm dates can be assigned to this emperor's life or reign, but he is conventionally considered to have reigned from 531–536.-Legendary narrative:...

 and Emperor Senka
Emperor Senka
, also known as Senkwa, was the 28th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.No firm dates can be assigned to this emperor's life or reign, but he is conventionally considered to have reigned from 536–539.-Legendary narrative:...

 against those who were backers of the son who would become known as Emperor Kimmei
Emperor Kimmei
was the 29th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.His reign is said to have spanned the years from 539 through 571.-Traditional narrative:...

.

Keitai's reign

Keitai declared his ascension in Kusuba, in the northern part of Kawachi Province
Kawachi Province
was a province of Japan in the eastern part of modern Osaka Prefecture. It originally held the southwestern area that was split off into Izumi Province...

 (present day Shijonawate, Osaka) and married a younger sister of Buretsu, Princess Tashiraga. It is supposed that his succession was not welcomed by everyone, and it took about 20 years for Keitai to enter Yamato province
Yamato Province
was a province of Japan, located in Kinai, corresponding to present-day Nara Prefecture in Honshū. It was also called . At first, the name was written with one different character , and for about ten years after 737, this was revised to use more desirable characters . The final revision was made in...

, near Kawachi and the political center of Japan at the time.

In Keitai's later years, 527 or 528, the Iwai Rebellion
Iwai Rebellion
The was a rebellion against the Yamato court that took place in Tsukushi, Japan in 527 AD. The rebellion was named after its leader, Iwai, who is believed by historians to have been a powerful governor of Tsukushi. The rebellion was quelled by the Yamato court, and played an important part in the...

 broke out in Tsukushi province, Kyūshū
Kyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....

. Keitai assigned Mononobe no Arakahi
Mononobe no Arakabi
was a government minister during the Kofun period of ancient Japanese history.In 512, the king of the Korean kingdom of Baekje requested to take control of four districts of the land of the Gaya confederacy...

 as Shogun and sent him to Kyūshū to put down the rebellion.

Among his sons, Emperor Ankan
Emperor Ankan
was the 27th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.No firm dates can be assigned to this emperor's life or reign, but he is conventionally considered to have reigned from 531–536.-Legendary narrative:...

, Emperor Senka
Emperor Senka
, also known as Senkwa, was the 28th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.No firm dates can be assigned to this emperor's life or reign, but he is conventionally considered to have reigned from 536–539.-Legendary narrative:...

 and Emperor Kimmei
Emperor Kimmei
was the 29th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.His reign is said to have spanned the years from 539 through 571.-Traditional narrative:...

 ascended to the throne.

The actual site of Keitai's grave
Grave (burial)
A grave is a location where a dead body is buried. Graves are usually located in special areas set aside for the purpose of burial, such as graveyards or cemeteries....

 is not known. This emperor is traditionally venerated at a memorial
Memorial
A memorial is an object which serves as a focus for memory of something, usually a person or an event. Popular forms of memorials include landmark objects or art objects such as sculptures, statues or fountains, and even entire parks....

 Shinto
Shinto
or Shintoism, also kami-no-michi, is the indigenous spirituality of Japan and the Japanese people. It is a set of practices, to be carried out diligently, to establish a connection between present day Japan and its ancient past. Shinto practices were first recorded and codified in the written...

 shrine
Shrine
A shrine is a holy or sacred place, which is dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, martyr, saint, daemon or similar figure of awe and respect, at which they are venerated or worshipped. Shrines often contain idols, relics, or other such objects associated with the figure being venerated....

 (misasagi) at the Ooda Chausuyama kofun
Kofun
Kofun are megalithic tombs or tumuli in Japan, constructed between the early 3rd century and early 7th century. They gave their name to the Kofun period . Many of the Kofun have a distinctive keyhole-shaped mound , unique to ancient Japan...

 in Ibaraki, Osaka
Ibaraki, Osaka
is a city located in Osaka, Japan. It is a suburban city of Osaka city and a part of Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe metropolitan area. Literally Ibaraki in English means Wild Trees or Thorny trees....

.

The Imperial Household Agency
Imperial Household Agency
The is a government agency of Japan in charge of the state matters concerning Japan's imperial family and also keeping the Privy Seal and the State Seal...

 designates this location as Keitai's mausoleum
Mausoleum
A mausoleum is an external free-standing building constructed as a monument enclosing the interment space or burial chamber of a deceased person or persons. A monument without the interment is a cenotaph. A mausoleum may be considered a type of tomb or the tomb may be considered to be within the...

. It is formally named Mishima no Aikinu no misasagi.

Consorts and Children

Empress: Tashiraka no Himemiko (手白香皇女), daughter of Emperor Ninken
Emperor Ninken
, also known as Ninken-okimi, was the 24th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.No firm dates can be assigned to this emperor's life or reign, but he is conventionally considered to have reigned from 488–498....

  • Prince Amekunioshiharakihironiwa (天国排開広庭尊) Emperor Kinmei


Menokohime (目子媛), daughter of Owari no Muraji Kusaka (尾張連草香)
  • Prince Magari no Ōe (勾大兄皇子) Emperor Ankan
    Emperor Ankan
    was the 27th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.No firm dates can be assigned to this emperor's life or reign, but he is conventionally considered to have reigned from 531–536.-Legendary narrative:...

  • Prince Hinokuma no Takata (檜隈高田皇子) Emperor Senka
    Emperor Senka
    , also known as Senkwa, was the 28th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.No firm dates can be assigned to this emperor's life or reign, but he is conventionally considered to have reigned from 536–539.-Legendary narrative:...



Wakakohime (稚子媛), younger sister of Mio no Tsunoori no Kimi (三尾角折君)
  • Prince Ōiratsuko (大郎皇子)
  • Princess Izumo (出雲皇女)


Hirohime (広媛), daughter of Sakata no Ōmata (坂田大跨王)
  • Princess Kamusaki (神前皇女)
  • Princess Manta (茨田皇女)
  • Princess Umaguta (馬来田皇女)


Ominoiratsume (麻績娘子), daughter of Okinaga no mate (息長真手王)
  • Princess Sasage (荳角皇女) saiō
    Saio
    A , also known as "Itsuki no Miko", was an unmarried female relative of the Japanese emperor, sent to Ise to serve at Ise Grand Shrine from the late 7th century until the 14th century. The Saiō's residence, Saikū , was approximately 10 km north-west of the shrine...



Sekihime (関媛), daughter of Manda no Muraji Omochi (茨田連小望)
  • Princess Manda no Ōiratsume (茨田大娘皇女)
  • Princess Shirasaka no Ikuhihime (白坂活日姫皇女)
  • Princess Ono no Wakairatsume (小野稚娘皇女)


Yamatohime (倭媛), daughter of Mio no Kimi Katahi (三尾君堅楲)
  • Princess Ōiratsume (大郎子皇女)
  • Prince Maroko (椀子皇子)
  • Prince Mimi (耳皇子)
  • Princess Akahime (赤姫皇女)


Haehime (荑媛), daughter of Wani no Omi Kawachi (和珥臣河内)
  • Princess Wakayahime (稚綾姫皇女)
  • Princess Tubira no Iratsuko (円娘皇女)
  • Prince Atsu (厚皇子)


Hirohime (広媛), daughter of Ne (根王)
  • Prince Usagi (菟皇子)
  • Prince Nakatsu (中皇子)
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