Emperor Ojin
Encyclopedia
, 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.
by later generations. Ōjin is also identified by some as the earliest "historical" emperor.
According to the Kojiki
and the Nihonshoki, Ōjin was the son of the Emperor Chūai
and his consort Jingū. As Chūai died before Ōjin's birth, his mother Jingū became the de facto ruler. The history book written to the 8th century, alleged that the boy Ōjin was conceived but unborn when Chūai died. His widow, Jingū, then spent three years in conquest of a promised land, which is conjectured to be Korea
, but the story is largely dismissed by scholars for lack of evidence. Then, after her return to Japanese islands, the boy was born, three years after the death of the father.
Either a period of less than nine months contained three "years" (some seasons), e.g. three harvest
s, or the paternity is just mythical and symbolic, rather than real. Ōjin was born (in 200
according to the traditional, but untrustworthy TC date, timetable; realistically sometime in the late 4th century) in Tsukushi
on the return of his mother from the invasion of the promised land and named him Prince Hondawake. He became the crown prince at the age of four. He was crowned (in 270
) at the age of 70 and reigned for 40 years until his death in 310
, although none of the TC dates around his reign have any historical basis. He supposedly lived in two palaces both of which are in present day Osaka.
Ōjin was traditionally identified as the father of Emperor Nintoku
, who acceded after Ōjin's death. Ōjin has been deified as Hachiman Daimyōjin
, regarded as the guardian of warriors. The Hata Clan considered him their guardian Kami
.
The actual site of Ōjin's grave
is not known. This emperor is traditionally venerated at a memorial
Shinto
shrine
(misasagi) at Osaka
.
The Imperial Household Agency
designates this location as Ōjin's mausoleum
. It is formally named Eega no Mofushi no oka no misasagi.
Takakiirihime (高城入姫命), older sister of Nakatsuhime
Otohime (弟姫命), younger sister of Nakatsuhime
Miyanushiyakahime (宮主宅媛), daughter of Wani no Hifure no Omi (和弭日触使主)
Onabehime (小甂媛), younger sister of Miyanushiyakahime
Okinaga mawakanakatsuhime (息長真若中比売), daughter of Kawamatanakatsuhiko (河派仲彦)
Itohime (糸媛), daughter of Sakuraitabe no Muraji Shimatarine(桜井田部連島垂根)
Himuka no Izumi no nagahime (日向泉長媛)
Kagurohime (迦具漏比売), daughter of Sumeiro Ōnakahiko(須売伊呂大中日子王女)
Katsuragi no Irome (葛城野伊呂売), daughter of Takenouchi no sukune
?
Ehime (兄媛), younger sister of Kibi no Mimotowake(吉備御友別)
Emperor
An emperor is a monarch, usually the sovereign ruler of an empire or another type of imperial realm. Empress, the female equivalent, may indicate an emperor's wife or a woman who rules in her own right...
of Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, 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.
Legendary narrative
Ōjin is regarded by historians as a "legendary emperor". The name Ōjin Tennō was assigned to him posthumouslyPosthumous name
A posthumous name is an honorary name given to royalty, nobles, and sometimes others, in East Asia after the person's death, and is used almost exclusively instead of one's personal name or other official titles during his life...
by later generations. Ōjin is also identified by some as the earliest "historical" emperor.
According to 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 Nihonshoki, Ōjin was the son of the Emperor Chūai
Emperor Chuai
; also known as Tarashinakatsuhiko no Sumeramikoto; was the 14th 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 192–200....
and his consort Jingū. As Chūai died before Ōjin's birth, his mother Jingū became the de facto ruler. The history book written to the 8th century, alleged that the boy Ōjin was conceived but unborn when Chūai died. His widow, Jingū, then spent three years in conquest of a promised land, which is conjectured to be Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
, but the story is largely dismissed by scholars for lack of evidence. Then, after her return to Japanese islands, the boy was born, three years after the death of the father.
Either a period of less than nine months contained three "years" (some seasons), e.g. three harvest
Harvest
Harvest is the process of gathering mature crops from the fields. Reaping is the cutting of grain or pulse for harvest, typically using a scythe, sickle, or reaper...
s, or the paternity is just mythical and symbolic, rather than real. Ōjin was born (in 200
200
Year 200 was a leap year starting on Tuesday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Severus and Victorinus...
according to the traditional, but untrustworthy TC date, timetable; realistically sometime in the late 4th century) in Tsukushi
Tsukushi
Tsukushi may refer to:*Tsukushi Province, old Japanese province, subsequently divided into**Chikuzen Province, old Japanese province, part of Fukuoka Prefecture without south and east Fukuoka...
on the return of his mother from the invasion of the promised land and named him Prince Hondawake. He became the crown prince at the age of four. He was crowned (in 270
270
Year 270 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Antiochianus and Orfitus...
) at the age of 70 and reigned for 40 years until his death in 310
310
Year 310 was a common year starting on Sunday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Andronicus and Probus...
, although none of the TC dates around his reign have any historical basis. He supposedly lived in two palaces both of which are in present day Osaka.
Ōjin was traditionally identified as the father of Emperor Nintoku
Emperor Nintoku
was the 16th 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 313–399.-Legendary narrative:...
, who acceded after Ōjin's death. Ōjin has been deified as Hachiman Daimyōjin
Hachiman
In Japanese mythology, is the Japanese syncretic god of archery and war, incorporating elements from both Shinto and Buddhism. Although often called the god of war, he is more correctly defined as the tutelary god of warriors. He is also divine protector of Japan and the Japanese people...
, regarded as the guardian of warriors. The Hata Clan considered him their guardian Kami
Kami
is the Japanese word for the spirits, natural forces, or essence in the Shinto faith. Although the word is sometimes translated as "god" or "deity", some Shinto scholars argue that such a translation can cause a misunderstanding of the term...
.
The actual site of Ōjin'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 Osaka
Osaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
.
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 Ōjin'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 Eega no Mofushi no oka no misasagi.
Consorts and Children
Empress: Nakatsuhime (仲姫命), daughter of Homudamawaka (品陀真若王)- Princess Arata (荒田皇女)
- Prince Ōosazaki (大鷦鷯尊) Emperor NintokuEmperor Nintokuwas the 16th 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 313–399.-Legendary narrative:...
- Prince Netori (根鳥皇子), ancestor of Ōta no Kimi (大田君)
Takakiirihime (高城入姫命), older sister of Nakatsuhime
- Prince Nukata no Ōnakatsuhiko (額田大中彦皇子)
- Prince Ōyamamori (大山守皇子), ancestor of Hijikata no Kimi (土形君) and Haibara no Kimi(榛原君)
- Prince Izanomawaka (去来真稚皇子), ancestor of Fukakawawake (深河別)
- Princess Ōhara (大原皇女)
- Princess Komukuta (澇来田皇女)
Otohime (弟姫命), younger sister of Nakatsuhime
- Princess Ahe (阿倍皇女)
- Princess Awaji no Mihara (淡路御原皇女), wife of Netori
- Princess ki no Uno (紀之菟野皇女)
- Princess Shigehara (滋原皇女)
- Princess Mino no Iratsume (三野郎女)
Miyanushiyakahime (宮主宅媛), daughter of Wani no Hifure no Omi (和弭日触使主)
- Prince Uji no Wakiiratsuko (菟道稚郎子皇子), Crown Prince
- Princess Yata (矢田皇女), wife of Emperor NintokuEmperor Nintokuwas the 16th 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 313–399.-Legendary narrative:...
- Princess Metori (雌鳥皇女)
Onabehime (小甂媛), younger sister of Miyanushiyakahime
- Princess Uji no Wakiiratsuhime (菟道稚郎女皇女), wife of Emperor NintokuEmperor Nintokuwas the 16th 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 313–399.-Legendary narrative:...
Okinaga mawakanakatsuhime (息長真若中比売), daughter of Kawamatanakatsuhiko (河派仲彦)
- Prince Wakanuke no futamata (稚野毛二派皇子), ancestor of Okinaga clan (息長君). great-grandfather of Emperor KeitaiEmperor Keitai, also known as Keitai-okimi, was the 26th 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 507–531....
Itohime (糸媛), daughter of Sakuraitabe no Muraji Shimatarine(桜井田部連島垂根)
- Prince Hayabusawake (隼総別皇子)
Himuka no Izumi no nagahime (日向泉長媛)
- Prince Ōhae (大葉枝皇子)
- Prince ohae (小葉枝皇子)
- Princess Hatabi no Wakairatsume (幡日之若郎女), wife of Emperor RichūEmperor Richuwas the 17th 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 400–405.-Legendary narrative :...
Kagurohime (迦具漏比売), daughter of Sumeiro Ōnakahiko(須売伊呂大中日子王女)
- Princess Kawarata no iratsume (川原田郎女)
- Princess Tama no iratsume (玉郎女)
- Prince Kataji (迦多遅王)
Katsuragi no Irome (葛城野伊呂売), daughter of Takenouchi no sukune
Takenouchi no Sukune
Takenouchi no Sukune was a legendary Japanese hero-statesman, and is a Shinto kami.- Life :Takenouchi no Sukune was supposedly the son of Princess Kagehime, and is said to be grandson to Imperial Prince Hikofutódhimakoto no Mikoto...
?
- Prince Izanomawaka ? (伊奢能麻和迦王)
Ehime (兄媛), younger sister of Kibi no Mimotowake(吉備御友別)