Emperor Keikō

Emperor Keikō
景行天皇
Emperor of Japan
Reign71–130 AD (traditional)
PredecessorSuinin
SuccessorSeimu
BornŌtarashihiko (大足彦尊)
13 BC
Died130 (aged 143)
Burial
Yamanobe no michi no e no misasagi (山辺道上陵) (Nara)
SpousesHarima no Inabi no Ōiratsume [ja]
Yasakairi-hime [ja]
Issue
among others...
Prince Ōsu
Emperor Seimu
Posthumous name
Chinese-style shigō:
Emperor Keikō (景行天皇)

Japanese-style shigō:
Ōtarashihiko-oshirowake no Sumeramikoto (大足彦忍代別天皇)
HouseImperial House of Japan
FatherEmperor Suinin
MotherHibasu-hime [ja]
ReligionShinto

Emperor Keikō (景行天皇, Keikō-tennō), also known as Ootarashihikooshirowake no Sumeramikoto (大足彦忍代別天皇) and Ōtarashihiko-oshirowake no Mikoto (大帯日子淤斯呂和氣天皇), was the 12th legendary Emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Both the Kojiki, and the Nihon Shoki (collectively known as the Kiki) record events that took place during Keikō's alleged lifetime. Keikō was recorded as being an exceptionally tall emperor who had a very large family. During his reign he sought to expand territorial control through conquest of local tribes. He had a very important son named "Prince Ōsu" (Yamato Takeru), who was in possession of the Kusanagi when he died. This treasure was later moved to Atsuta Shrine, and is now a part of the Imperial Regalia of Japan. There is a possibility that Keikō actually lived or reigned in the 4th century AD rather than the 1st, but more information is needed to confirm this view.

Keikō's reign is conventionally considered to have been from 71 to 130 AD. During his alleged lifetime, he fathered at least 80 children with two chief wives (empress) and nine consorts. One of his sons became the next emperor upon his death in 130 AD, but the location of Keikō's grave (if any) is unknown. Keikō is traditionally venerated at a memorial Shinto tomb (misasagi) at Nara.

Legendary narrative

The Japanese have traditionally accepted this sovereign's historical existence, and a mausoleum (misasagi) for Keiko is currently maintained. The following information available is taken from the pseudo-historical Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, which are collectively known as Kiki (記紀) or Japanese chronicles. These chronicles include legends and myths, as well as potential historical facts that have since been exaggerated and/or distorted over time. The records state that Keikō was born sometime in 13 BC, and was given the name "Otarashihiko-no-mikoto". He was the 3rd son of Emperor Suinin, and his second empress wife "Hibasu-hime [ja]". Otarashihiko-no-mikoto was allegedly chosen as crown prince over his elder brother based on a casual question on what they both had wished for. In the former's case he said "The Empire" while his elder brother said "Bow and arrows". Otarashihiko-no-mikoto later ascended to the throne in 71 AD, coming a year after his father's death.

Accounts in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki are split when it comes to initial territorial expansion during Emperor Keikō's reign. In the Kojiki, the Emperor is said to have sent his son "Prince Ōsu" (Yamato Takeru) to Kyūshū to conquer local tribes. Alternatively, the Nihon Shoki records that he went there himself and won battles against local tribes. Both sources agree that Keikō later sent Yamato Takeru to Izumo Province, and eastern provinces to conquer the area and spread his territory. According to traditional sources, Yamato Takeru died in the 43rd year of Emperor Keiko's reign (景行天皇四十三年). The possessions of the dead prince were gathered together along with the sword Kusanagi; and his widow venerated his memory in a shrine at her home. Sometime later, these relics and the sacred sword were moved to the current location of the Atsuta Shrine.

Emperor Keikō was recorded as 10 feet 2 inches (310 cm), who had at least 80 children from multiple wives. This claim would put him into the category of Gigantism if verified, although as with other aspects it was more than likely exaggerated. Other than Yamato Takeru, at least three of Keikō's children were ancestors of notable clans. According to tradition, emperor Keikō died in 130 AD at the age of 143, and his son Prince Wakatarashihiko was enthroned as the next emperor the following year.

Known information

Emperor Keikō is regarded by historians as a "legendary Emperor" as there is insufficient material available for further verification and study. The name Keikō-tennō was assigned to him posthumously by later generations. His name might have been regularized centuries after the lifetime ascribed to Keikō, possibly during the time in which legends about the origins of the Yamato dynasty were compiled as the chronicles known today as the Kojiki. There is a possibility that Keikō's era was in the 4th century AD rather than the 1st. This period is concurrent with the Kentoshi having an audience with the Tang Emperor, more evidence is needed though to make any conclusions. Like his father before him, Keikō is also known to have an exaggerated lifespan which is unlikely to be factual. The consecutive reigns of the emperors began to be compiled in the 8th century, and it is thought that age gaps were "filled up" as many lacunae were present. For comparison, verified ages in the 110s have since been documented and recorded as the "oldest in the world".

While the actual site of Keikō's grave is not known, the Emperor is traditionally venerated at a memorial Shinto shrine (misasagi) at Nara. The Imperial Household Agency designates this location as Keikō's mausoleum, and is formally named Yamanobe no michi no e no misasagi. Outside of the Kiki, the reign of Emperor Kinmei (c. 509 – 571 AD) is the first for which contemporary historiography has been able to assign verifiable dates. The conventionally accepted names and dates of the early Emperors were not confirmed as "traditional" though, until the reign of Emperor Kanmu between 737 and 806 AD.

Consorts and children

Emperor Keikō allegedly had a very large family which consisted of 2 wives, 9 concubines, and more than 80 children (51 of which are listed here). It is now questionable and open to debate though, if these numbers are genuine or not. Some of his listed children might actually be duplicates of the same person. The size of Keikō's family also could have been exaggerated over time through legends and word of mouth stories.

Spouse

Position Name Father Issue
Empress (1st) Harima no Inabi no Ōiratsume [ja] (播磨稲日大郎姫) Prince Wakatakehiko  • Prince Kushitsunowake (櫛角別王)
 • Prince Ōsu (大碓皇子)
 • Prince Ōsu (小碓尊)
Empress (2nd) Yasakairi-hime [ja] (八坂入媛命) Prince Yasakairihiko  • Prince Wakatarashihiko (稚足彦尊)
 • Prince Iokiirihiko (五百城入彦皇子)
 • Prince Oshinowake (忍之別皇子)
 • Prince Wakayamatoneko (稚倭根子皇子)
 • Prince Ōsuwake (大酢別皇子)
 • Princess Nunoshino-hime-miko (渟熨斗皇女)
 • Princess Iokiirihime-miko (五百城入姫皇女)
 • Princess Kagoyori-hime-miko (麛依姫皇女)
 • Prince Isakiirihiko (五十狭城入彦皇子)
 • Prince Kibinoehiko (吉備兄彦皇子)
 • Princess Takagiiri-hime-miko (高城入姫皇女)
 • Princess Oto-hime-miko (弟姫皇女)

Concubines

Name Father Issue
Mizuhanoiratsume (水歯郎媛) Prince Iwatsukuwake  • Princess Ionono-hime-miko (五百野皇女)
Ikawa-hime (五十河媛) Un­known  • Prince Kamukushi (神櫛皇子)
 • Prince Inaseirihiko (稲背入彦皇子)
Abenotakada-hime (阿倍高田媛) Abe no Kogoto  • Prince Takekunikoriwake (武国凝別皇子)
Himuka no Kaminagaootane (日向髪長大田根) Un­known  • Prince Himuka no Sotsuhiko (日向襲津彦皇子)
Sonotake-hime (襲武媛) Un­known  • Prince Kunichiwake (国乳別皇子)
 • Prince Kunisewake (国背別皇子)
 • Prince Toyotowake (豊戸別皇子)
Himukanomihakashi-hime (日向御刀媛) Un­known  • Prince Toyokuniwake (豊国別皇子)
Inabinowakairatsume (伊那毘若郎女) Prince Wakatakehiko  • Prince Mawaka (真若王)
 • Prince Hikohitoōe (彦人大兄命)
Igoto-hime (五十琴姫命) Mononobe no Igui  • Prince Igotohiko (五十功彦命)
Un­known Un­known  • See below

Issue

Yamato Takeru later became a legend in his own right.
Status Name Mother Comments
Prince Kushitsunowake (櫛角別王) Harima no Inabi no Ōiratsume
Prince Ōsu (大碓皇子) Harima no Inabi no Ōiratsume Ancestor of Mugetsu no kimi (身毛津君)
Prince Yamato Takeru (aka Ōsu) (小碓尊) Harima no Inabi no Ōiratsume Ōsu, later known as Yamato Takeru, was the father of Emperor Chūai.
Prince Wakatarashihiko (稚足彦尊) Yasakairi-hime Wakatarashihiko became the next emperor. (Known as "Seimu" posthumously)
Prince Iokiirihiko (五百城入彦皇子) Yasakairi-hime
Prince Oshinowake (忍之別皇子) Yasakairi-hime
Prince Wakayamatoneko (稚倭根子皇子) Yasakairi-hime
Prince Ōsuwake (大酢別皇子) Yasakairi-hime
Princess Nunoshino-hime-miko (渟熨斗皇女) Yasakairi-hime
Princess Iokiirihime-miko (五百城入姫皇女) Yasakairi-hime
Princess Kagoyori-hime-miko (麛依姫皇女) Yasakairi-hime
Prince Isakiirihiko (五十狭城入彦皇子) Yasakairi-hime Isakiirihiko is the ancestor of Mitsukai no Muraji (御使連)
Prince Kibinoehiko (吉備兄彦皇子) Yasakairi-hime
Princess Takagiiri-hime-miko (高城入姫皇女) Yasakairi-hime
Princess Oto-hime-miko (弟姫皇女) Yasakairi-hime
Princess Ionono-hime-miko (五百野皇女) Mizuhanoiratsume Ionono-hime-miko was possibly also a Saiō.
Prince Kamukushi (神櫛皇子) Ikawa-hime
Prince Inaseirihiko (稲背入彦皇子) Ikawa-hime
Prince Takekunikoriwake (武国凝別皇子) Abenotakada-hime
Prince Himuka no Sotsuhiko (日向襲津彦皇子) Himuka no Kaminagaootane
Prince Kunichiwake (国乳別皇子) Sonotake-hime
Prince Kunisewake (国背別皇子) Sonotake-hime
Prince Toyotowake (豊戸別皇子) Sonotake-hime
Prince Toyokuniwake (豊国別皇子) Himukanomihakashi-hime Ancestor of Himuka no Kuni no miyatsuko (日向国造)
Prince Mawaka (真若王) Inabinowakairatsume
Prince Hikohitoōe (彦人大兄命) Inabinowakairatsume
Prince Igotohiko (五十功彦命) Igoto-hime
Princess Shirogane (銀王) Un­known Married Prince Hikohitoōe
Prince Wakaki-no-Irihiko (若木之入日子王) Un­known Speculated as the same person with Prince Iokiirihiko
Prince Wakayahiko (稚屋彦命) Un­known
Prince Amatarashine (天帯根命) Un­known
Prince Takekunikowake (武国皇別命) Un­known Speculated as the same person with Prince Takekunikoriwake
Prince Ososhikowake (大曽色別命) Un­known
Prince Iwakosowake (石社別命) Un­known
Prince Takeoshiwake (武押別命) Un­known Speculated as the same person with Prince Oshinowake
Prince Sonomewake (曽能目別命) Un­known
Prince Tochiribiko (十市入彦命) Un­known
Prince Sonowashiwake (襲小橋別命) Un­known
Prince Shirokoriwake (色己焦別命) Un­known
Prince Okinaga-no-hikohitoōe-Mizuki (息長彦人大兄水城命) Un­known Speculated as the same person with Prince Hikohitoōe
Prince Kuma-no-Oshitsuhiko (熊忍津彦命) Un­known
Prince Takeotowake (武弟別命) Un­known
Prince Kusaki (草木命) Un­known
Prince Tagotowake (手事別命) Un­known
Prince Oaretowake (大我門別命) Un­known
Prince Toyohiwake (豊日別命) Un­known
Prince Mikawa-no-Sukune (三河宿禰命) Un­known
Prince Toyotewaka (豊手別命) Un­known
Prince Yamato-no-Sukune (倭宿禰命) Un­known
Prince Toyotsuhiko (豊津彦命) Un­known
Prince Okoriwake (大焦別命) Un­known

Family tree

Nunakawahime Ōkuninushi: 278 
(Ōnamuchi)
Kamotaketsunumi no Mikoto
Kotoshironushi Tamakushi-hime Takeminakata Susa Clan
1 Jimmu1Himetataraisuzu-himeKamo no OkimiMirahime [ja]
2 Suizei 2Isuzuyori-himeKamuyaimimi
3 AnneiŌ clanAso clan3 Nunasokonakatsu-hime [ja]Kamo clan
TakakurajiMiwa clan
4 ItokuIkisomimi no mikoto [ja]Ame no Murakumo [ja]
4Amatoyotsuhime no Mikoto [ja]Amaoshio no mikoto [ja]
5 Emperor Kōshō5Yosotarashi-himeOkitsu Yoso [ja]
6 Emperor KōanPrince Ameoshitarashi [ja]Owari clan
6Oshihime [ja]Wani clan
7 Emperor Kōrei 7Kuwashi-hime
8 Emperor Kōgen8Utsushikome [ja]Princess Yamato Totohi MomosoKibitsuhiko-no-mikotoWakatakehiko [ja]
9Ikagashikome
Hikofutsuoshi no Makoto no Mikoto [ja]9 Emperor KaikaPrince Ohiko [ja]Kibi clan
Yanushi Otake Ogokoro no Mikoto [ja]10 Emperor Sujin10Mimaki-himeAbe clan
Takenouchi no Sukune11 Emperor Suinin11Saho-hime [ja]12Hibasu-hime [ja]Yasaka IribikoToyosukiiri-hime [ja]Nunaki-iri-hime [ja]
Yamatohime-no-mikoto
Katsuragi clan13Harima no Inabi no Ōiratsume [ja]12 Emperor Keiko14Yasakairi-hime [ja]
Otoyo no mikoto [ja]
Futaji Irihime [ja]Yamato TakeruMiyazu-himeTakeinadane [ja] Ioki Iribiko13Emperor Seimu
14Emperor Chūai 15Empress Jingū Homuda
Mawaka
15Emperor Ōjin16Nakatsuhime
16Emperor Nintoku

See also


This page was last updated at 2024-03-17 13:05 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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