41#1#0#0:0:0#Part II GUKANSHO’S IMPERIAL CHRONOLOGY
6 Chronology I: Emperor Jimmu to Emperor Daigo
Chinese Dynasties
P’AN KU (First sovereign after the formation of heaven, earth, and man).
41#2#0#0:0:0#THREE SOVEREIGNS: Celestial Sovereigns; Terrestrial Sovereigns; and Human Sovereigns.
41#3#0#0:0:0#THREE OTHER SOVEREIGNS: Fu Hsi; Shen Nung; and Huang Ti.
41#4#0#0:0:0#FIVE EMPERORS: Shao Hao; Chuan Hsu; Kao Hsin; Yao; and Shun.
41#5#0#0:0:0#THREE KINGLY [DYNASTIES]: HSIA: 17 kings, 432 years; YIN or SHANG: 30 kings, 618 years;\NOTENUM1: and CHOU: 37 kings, 867 years.\NOTENUM2:
41#6#3#0:0:0#TWELVE PRINCIPALITIES: Cheng, Ts'ao, Sung, Chin, Wei, Ch'in, Ch'i, Yen, Lu, Ts'ai, Ch'u, and Ch'en. (Wu is not included among these principalities.)\NOTENUM3:
41#7#0#0:0:0#SIX [WARRING] STATES (States which existed at the time of King Yuan)\NOTENUM4:: Han, Wei, Chao, Ch'i, Yen, and Ch'u.
41#8#0#0:0:0#CH'IN [DYNASTY]: 6 Emperors, 56 years.\NOTENUM5:
41#9#0#0:0:0#HAN [DYNASTY]: 12 Emperors, 214 years. Wang Mang: 14 years.
41M#10#0#0:0:0#Keng Shih: 3 years.\NOTENUM6:
42#1#0#0:0:0#LATER HAN [DYNASTY]: 12 Emperors, 195 years [A.D. 25 220].
42#2#0#0:0:0#THREE KINGDOMS: WEI: 5 Emperors, 45 years; Wu: 4 Emperors, 49 years; and SHU: 2 Emperors, 43 years [221 265].
42#3#0#0:0:0#CHIN KINGDOMS: 15 Emperors, 155 years.\NOTENUM7: After Liu Yuan\NOTENUM8: usurped the throne there were these kingdoms: SOUTHERN YEN; LATER LIANG; LATER CH’IN; LATER SHU; LATER HSIA; WESTERN CH'IN; SOUTHERN LIANG; FORMER CH'IN; FORMER LIANG; LATER CHAO; TAIWEI; NORTHERN LIANG; NORTHERN YEN; and LATER YEN.
42#4#0#0:0:0#NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN COURTS [420 589]\NOTENUM9:: SUNG: 8 Emperors, 59 years; LATER WEI: 14 Emperors, 139 years; SOUTHERN CH'I: 7 Emperors, 33 years; WESTERN WEI: 3 Emperors, 23 years; EASTERN WEI: 1 Emperor, 16 years; LIANG: 4 Emperors, 55 years; LATER CHOU: 5 Emperors, 24 years; CH'EN: 5 Emperors, 33 years; and NORTHERN CH'I: 7 Emperors, 28 years.
42#5#0#0:0:0#SUI DYNASTY: 3 Emperors, 37 years [589 618].
43#1#0#0:0:0#T'ANG DYNASTY: 20 Emperors, 289 years [618 906].
43#2#6#0:0:0#FIVE DYNASTIES [907 959]: LIANG: 3 Emperors, 16 years; T'ANG: 4 Emperors, 13 years; CHIN: 3 Emperors, 12 years; HAN: 2 Emperors, 3 years; and CHOU: 3 Emperors, 9 years.
43#3#0#0:0:0#GREAT SUNG DYNASTY: 13 Emperors down to the present, and 263 years down to the present.\NOTENUM10:The above was written in Shokyu 2 [1220].\NOTENUM11:
43#4#0#0:0:0#Terms, and the Way I Have Counted the Number of Years in a Reign
JUZEN: receiving the throne when it has been handed over by [the previous Emperor or Empress].SENSO: accession to the throne.
43#5#0#0:0:0#The first character is read fumu in Japanese and means "step," and the second is hajime or "first." Thus the term may be rendered literally "the first step" (senso).
43#6#0#0:0:0#DASSHI: abdication.
The Yellow Emperor (Huang Ti) wanted to follow the way of Buddha,\NOTENUM12: and therefore his abdication was referred to as "taking off his sandals (dasshi). . . ."
43#7#3#0:0:0#THE NUMBER OF YEARS IN A REIGN has been calculated by skipping the year in which the throne was received and beginning with the following year, the "skipping a year" method.
43#8#1#0:0:0#Japan's Direct Line of Imperial Descent\NOTENUM13:
[1] Jimmu; [2] Suizei [3rd son of Jimmu]; [3] Annei [son and heir of Suizei]; [4] Itoku [2nd son of Annei]; [5] Kosho [son and heir of Itoku]; [6] Koan [2nd son of Kosho]; [7] Korei [son and heir of Koan]; [8] Kogen [son and heir of Korei]; [9] Kaika [2nd son of Kogen]; [10] Sujin [2nd son of Kaika]; [11] Suinin [3rd son of Sujin]; [12] Keiko [3rd son of Suinin];Yamato Takeru no Mikoto [son of Keiko]; [14] Chuai [2nd son of Yamato Takeru no Mikoto]; [16] Ojin [4th son of Chuai] Prince Hayabusa [son of Ojin]; Prince Oto [son of Prince Hayabusa]; Prince Shihi [son of Prince Oto]; Prince Hiko Aruji [son of Prince Shihi]; [27] Keitai [5th generation descendant of Ojin]; [30] Kimmei [3rd son of Keitai]; [31] Bidatsu [2nd son of Kimmei]; Prince Oshisaka no Oe [son of Bidatsu]; [35] Jomei [grandson of Bidatsu]; [39] Tenchi [1st son of Jomei]; Prince Shiki [son of Tenchi];[49] Konin [6th son of Prince Shiki]; [50] Kwammu [son of Konin]; [52] Saga [2nd son of Kwammu]; [54] Nimmyo [2nd son of Saga]; [58] Koko [3rd son of Nimmyo]; [59] Uda [3rd son of Koko]; [60] Daigo [1st son of Uda]; [62] Murakami [14th son of Daigo]; [64] Enyu [5th son of Murakami]; [66] Ichijo [1st son of Enyu]; [69] Go Suzaku [3rd son of Ichijo]; [71] Go Sanjo [2nd son of Go Suzaku]; [72] Shirakawa [1st son of Go Sanjo];and [73] Horikawa [2nd son of Shirakawa].
44#1#0#0:0:0#Chronology of Japanese Reigns
(1) Emperor Jimmu. A reign of 76 years. (The first year was kanoto tori [660 B.C.]. Jimmu, was enthroned at the age of 52 and lived to the age of 127.)\NOTENUM14:
44#2#0#0:0:0#Jimmu was the fourth son of U no Ha Fukiawasezu no Mikoto and was born on the 1st day (kanoe tatsu) of the 1st month. . . . \NOTENUM15: His mother was Tamayori Hime (eldest daughter of the Sea Kami). One version says he was the third son of the seventh generation Kami. Another version says his mother entered the sea and that Tamayori Hime was his adoptive mother. . . .
44#3#5#0:0:0#Soon after [the beginning of] this reign, a Master of Ceremonies (saishu)\NOTENUM16: was appointed and the myriad Kami worshipped. This country was called the Akizu Islands. The Imperial Palace was at Kashiwara in the province of Yamato. Kanoto tori was the first year of this reign, the 290th year after the death of Shakyamuni. . . .\NOTENUM17: It is also said that this [first year of Jimmu's reign] was the 3rd year in the reign of Hsi Wang, the 16th ruler of the Chou Dynasty.... Another view is that kanoto tori was the 17th year of the Hui Wang reign of Chou. Isn't it because [the 17th year of Huei Wang's reign] was propitious that until the present day this [second] view has not been questioned ?\NOTENUM18:
44#4#0#0:0:0# (2) Emperor Suizei. A reign of 33 years.(The first year was kanoe tatsu [581 B.C.]. Suizei was enthroned at the age of 52 and lived to the age of 84.)
44#5#0#0:0:0#Suizei was the third son of Emperor Jimmu and had been appointed Crown Prince (at the age of 19) on the kinoe tora day of the 1st month of the 42nd year of the Jimmu reign. His mother was Tatara Isuzu Hime, daughter of Kotoshiro nushi no Kami.\NOTENUM19: He was enthroned four years after the death of Emperor Jimmu. His palace was the Takaoka no Miya in KATSURAGI of the province of Yamato. He had one Empress and one Imperial son.
44M#6#0#0:0:0#Three Imperial sons had been born to Emperor Jimmu. The first was Tagishi Mimi no Mikoto, the second was Kamu ya i Mimi no Mikoto, and the third was the Crown Prince who became Emperor Suizei. After the death of Emperor Jimmu, and during the period of mourning, affairs of state were handled by the eldest Imperial son; but he soon developed feelings of malice toward his two younger brothers. Being aware of his eldest brother's feelings, the Crown Prince urged the middle brother to kill the eldest brother. But when the second son took up the bow and arrow, his hands shook and he could not shoot. Then the Crown Prince seized the bow and shot an arrow that did not miss, killing his eldest brother. The middle brother said: "I do not have enough ability to receive the throne." While the Crown Prince was arguing that his remaining elder brother should take the throne "because you are the elder," and each of the two brothers was deferring to each other, four years passed without the throne being occupied. Finally, in the fourth year, the Crown Prince yielded to the urging of his elder brother and ascended the throne as Emperor Suizei.
45M#1#1#0:0:0# In reflecting about this affair, I conclude that it showed everything was to be fortunate at the beginning [of Japanese history]. The killing of the eldest brother seemed bad, but the Crown Prince did not kill his eldest brother in order to place himself on the throne. His purpose was to have an evil destroyed. Then he urged his middle brother to take the throne. So in thinking about this development, I conclude that Principle was simply being made the governing factor sen). The Imperial father [Jimmu] had assessed abilities and appointed his third son Crown Prince. If we look at what happened later from the point of view of what occurred here at the beginning [of Japanese history], we see that a precedent one followed later by Nintoku [17] and the eldest son Prince Uji was first established by this middle son and Crown Prince Suizei deferring to each other with correct way (shodo) feelings. The precedent of Suizei yielding to his elder brother's urgings and occupying the throne was followed well by Kenzo [24] and Ninken [25]. It was a precedent in which things were done in conformity with a human assessment [of ability]. The killing of the eldest Imperial brother was carried out with the idea that all evil should be rejected and that good should be embraced. This precedent was followed when Emperor Sushun [33] was killed in the time of Prince Shotoku, when Prince Otomo was killed by Emperor Temmu [40], and on many later occasions. The recedent for all these cases was first [manifested during this reign].
46#1#0#0:0:0# (3) Emperor Annei. A reign of 38 years.(The first year was mizunoto ushi [548 B.C.]. Emperor Annei was enthroned at the age of 20 and lived to the age of 57.)
46#2#0#0:0:0# Annei was the eldest son of Emperor Suizei and had been appointed Crown Prince on the tsuchinoe ne day of the 1st month of the 25th year of the Suizei reign (when Annei was 11 years old). His mother was Empress Dowager Isuzu yori Hime (younger daughter of Kotoshiro nushi no Kami). His palace was Ukena no Miya in Katashio of the province of Yamato. He had three Empresses and four Imperial sons.
46#3#0#0:0:0# (4) Emperor Itoku. A reign of 34 years.(The first year was kanoto u [510 B.C.]. Emperor Itoku was enthroned at the age of 34 and lived to the age of 77.)
46#4#0#0:0:0#Itoku was the second (or third) son of Emperor Annei and had been appointed Crown Prince in the 11th year of the Annei reign. His mother was Empress Dowager Nuna-soko nakatsu Hime (granddaughter of Kotoshiro nushi no Kami). His palace was the Magario no Miya in Karu of the province of Yamato. Confucius died in the 32nd year of this reign (or in the 7th year of the Kosho reign). ... Itoku had three Empresses and one Imperial son.
46#5#0#0:0:0# (5) Emperor Kosho. A reign of 83 years.(The first year was hinoe tora [475 B.C.]. Emperor Kosho was enthroned at the age of 32 and lived to the age of 120.)
46#6#0#0:0:0#Kosho was the eldest son of Emperor Itoku and had been appointed Crown Prince in the 22nd year of the Itoku reign. His mother was Empress Dowager Ama toyotsu Hime (daughter of Okishi Mimi no Mikoto). His palace was the Ikekokoro no Miya in Wakinokami of the province of Yamato. He had three Empresses and two Imperial sons.
47#1#0#0:0:0# (6) Emperor Koan. A reign of 102 years. (The first year was tsuchinoto ushi [392 B.C.]. Emperor Koan was enthroned at the age of 36 and lived to the age of 137.)
47#2#0#0:0:0#Koan was the second son of Emperor Kosh and had been appointed Crown Prince in the 68th year of the Kosho reign. His mother was Empress Dowager Yoso tarashi Hime (younger sister of Okitsu Yoso, distant ancestor of the Deity Chieftain of Owari). Emperor Koan's palace was the Akitsushima no Miya of Muro in the province of Yamato. He had three Empresses and one Imperial son.
47#3#0#0:0:0# (7) Emperor Korei. A reign of 76 years.(The first year was kanoe uma [291 B.C].\NOTENUM20: Emperor Korei was enthroned at the age of 53 and lived to the age of 128.)
47#4#0#0:0:0#Korei was the eldest son of Emperor Koan and had been appointed Crown Prince in the 76th year of the Koan reign. His mother was Empress Dowager Ane oshi Hime (daughter of Amatarashi hiko kuni oshi hito no Mikoto). His palace was the Ihoto no Miya in Kuroda of the province of Yamato. He had five Empresses and six Imperial sons and daughters.
47#5#0#0:0:0# (8) Emperor Kogen. A reign of 57 years.(The first year was hinoto i [214 B.C.]. Emperor Kogen was enthroned at the age of 60 and lived to the age of 117.)
47#6#0#0:0:0#Kogen was the eldest son of Emperor Korei and had been appointed Crown Prince in the 36th year of the Korei reign. His mother was Empress Dowager Kuwashi Hime (daughter of Ome, head [agatanushi] of the Shiki District). His palace was the Sakaihara no Miya of Karu in the province of Yamato. He had three Empresses and five Imperial sons and daughters.
47#7#0#0:0:0# (9) Emperor Kaika. A reign of 60 years.(The first year was kanoto hitsuji [170 B.C.].\NOTENUM21: Emperor Kaika was enthroned at the age of 51 and lived to the age of 115.)
47M#8#0#0:0:0#Kaika was the second son of Emperor Kogen and had been appointed Crown Prince in the 22nd year of the Kogen reign. His mother was Empress Dowager Uchi shiko me no Mikoto (young sister of Utsu shiko o no Mikoto, distant ancestor of the Hozumi no Omi). His palace was Isakawa no Miya of Kasuga in the province of Yamato. He had four Empresses and five Imperial sons and daughters.
48#1#2#0:0:0#No Ministers are recorded for the above nine reigns.
48#2#0#0:0:0# (10) Emperor Sujin. A reign of 68 years.(The first year was kinoe saru [97 B.C.]. Emperor Sujin was enthroned at the age of 52 and lived to the age of 108.)
48#3#0#0:0:0# Sujin was the second son of Emperor Kaika and was appointed Crown Prince in the 28th year of the Kaika reign. His mother was Empress Dowager Ika shiko me no Mikoto (daughter of O Hesoki). His palace was the Mizogaki no Miya of Shiki in the province of Yamato.
48#4#0#0:0:0# After the enthronement of Emperor Sujin, many people got sick and died. Consequently the Sun Goddess was worshipped at the village of Kasanui. Shrines were set up in the various provinces, and the several Kami were honored. Then the state was well governed and the people prospered. It was during this reign that tribute (mitsugimono) was paid to the Imperial Court, that ponds were dug in various provinces, and that boats were built. Imperial envoys were dispatched to the four regions, and thus the people who had not been subjected to the authority of the Emperor were pacified. But there was [as yet] no one who held the title of Imperial Chieftain (omi) or Deity Chieftain (muraji). Emperor Sujin had four Empresses and 11 Imperial sons and daughters.
48#5#0#0:0:0# (11) Emperor Suinin. A reign of 99 years.(The first year was mizunoe tatsu [29 B.C.]. Emperor Suinin was enthroned at the age of 43 and lived to the age of 130 -or 101, or 151.)
48#6#0#0:0:0# Suinin was the third son of Emperor Sujin and had been appointed Crown Prince in the 48th year of the Sujin reign. His mother was Empress Dowager Mimaki Hime (daughter of Ohiko no Mikoto). His palace was the Tamaki no Miya at Makimuku in the province of Yamato. He had four Empresses and 11 Imperial sons and daughters.
48M#7#0#0:0:0# During this reign, the Ise Shrine―located on the bank of the Isuzu River in the province of Ise―was dedicated. This was done in response to instructions received from the Sun Goddess. Also a High Priestess (saigu)\NOTENUM22: for the Ise Shrine was first appointed during this reign. In ancient times, when [an important] person died, his retainers were buried alive with him. But because that practice was stopped during this reign, figurines [of retainers] were made and placed in the tomb [of a deceased master]. During this reign, fruit from the land of Tokoyo was presented to the court―it was the orange (tachibana) of today. Persons were first sent to T'ang [China], and envoys first came from Silla [in Korea].
49#1#1#0:0:0# The ancestors of the five clans, including the Imperial Chieftain clan of ABE, received an Imperial edict (mikotonori) to consult [with the Emperor] about administrative affairs. But all [heads of these five clans] were called high retainers (mochigimi)―the title of Imperial Chieftain (omi) was not yet being used.
49#2#0#0:0:0# (12) Emperor Keiko. A reign of 60 years.(The first year was kanoto hitsuji [A.D. 71]. Emperor Keiko was enthroned at the age of 44 or 31, and lived to the age of 106 or 133, or 120.)
49#3#0#0:0:0# Keiko was the third son of Emperor Suinin and had been appointed Crown Prince in the 37th year of the Suinin reign. His mother was Empress Dowager Hihasu Hime no Mikoto (daughter of Prince Michinushi of Tamba). His palace was the Hishiro no Miya of Makimuku in the province of Yamato. He had eight Empresses and 80 Imperial sons and daughters.
49#4#0#0:0:0# TAKENOUCHI Sukune was first appointed Great Imperial Chieftain (O omi) in this reign. People of various provinces were given [hereditary] titles (kabane).
Chief Minister (toryo no shin): TAKENOUCHI Sukune.
(From this time on, a Chief Minister was appointed.)
49#5#0#0:0:0# (13) Emperor Seimu. A reign of 61 years.(The first year was kanoto hitsuji [A.D. 131]. Emperor Seimu was enthroned at the age of 49 and lived to the age of 107.)
49#6#0#0:0:0# Seimu was the fourth son of Emperor Keiko and had been appointed Crown Prince in the 51st year of the Keiko reign. His mother was Empress Dowager Yasaka iri Hime no Mikoto (daughter of Prince Yasaka iri Hiko). His palace was the Taka ana ho no Miya at Shiga in the province of Omi. All previous palaces had been located in the province of Yamato.
49M#7#0#0:0:0# During this reign the boundaries of provinces were established. Seimu had one Empress and no children. Great Imperial Chieftain (O omi): TAKENOUCHI Sukune.
(The title of Great Imperial Chieftain was awarded from this reign on.) Great Imperial Chieftai TAKENOUCHI was treated especially well because his birthday was the same as the Emperors.
50#1#0#0:0:0# (14) Emperor Chuai. A reign of nine years.(The first year was mizunoe sara [A.D. 192]. Emperor Chuai was enthroned at the age of 44 and lived to the age of 52.)
50#2#0#0:0:0# Chuai was the grandson of Emperor Keiko and the second son of Yamato Takeru no Mikoto. His mother was Empress Dowager Futamichi iri hime no Mikoto (Imperial daughter of Emperor Ikume [Suinin]). He had been appointed Crown Prince in the 48thyear of the Keiko reign, and his palace was the Toyora no Miya in Anato of the province of Nagato. He had three Empresses and four Imperial sons.
50#3#0#0:0:0# During this reign the Empress obtained, at the Toyora no Miya, a Nyoi pearl. It had been found in the sea. Great Imperial Chieftain: TAKENOUCHI Sukune.
Great Deity Chieftain (o muraji): OTOMO no Takemotsu no Muraji. (The title of Great Deity Chieftain was awarded from this reign on.)
50#4#0#0:0:0# Yamato Takeru no Mikoto, the father of Emperor Chuai, is the Great Illuminating Kami (dai myojin) now worshipped at the Atsuta Shrine in the province of Owari.
50#5#0#0:0:0# (15) Empress Jingu. "Regent" (sessho)\NOTENUM23: for 69 years.(The first year was kanoto mi [A.D. 201]. Empress Jingu was enthroned at 32 and lived to the age of 100.)
50#6#0#0:0:0# Jingu was Chuai's Empress and the daughter of Okinaga no Sukune, [the son of Kanime ikazuchi no Miko, who was, in turn, the son of Otsutsuki no Mawaka. Otsutsuki no Mawaka was the son of Prince Hiko imasu no Mikoto, the Imperial son of Emperor Kaika. Jingu's mother was KATSURAGI Taka nuka Hime. Her palace was the Wakasakura no Miya at Iware in the province of Yamato.
Great Imperial Chieftain: TAKENOUCHI Sukune.
50M#7#0#0:0:0# Dressed as a man, Empress Jingu conquered the states of Silla, Kokuli, and Paikch? in Korea. She gave birth to the future Emperor Ojin and made TAKENOUCHI the boy's guardian. Ojin's elder brothers plotted [against the Empress], but Great Imperial Chieftain TAKENOUCHI defeated them all. It will be difficult to write in detail about even such matters as these, reign after reign.
51#1#2#0:0:0# (16) Emperor Ojin. A reign of 41 years.(The first year was kanoe tora [A.D. 270].\NOTENUM24: Emperor Ojin was enthroned at the age of 71 and lived to the age of 101.)
51#2#0#0:0:0# Ojin was the fourth son of Emperor Chuai and had been appointed Crown Prince in the 3rd year of the reign of Empress Jingu. His mother was Empress Jingu, and his palace was the Akari no Miya at Karushima in the province of Yamato. Ojin had eight Empresses and 19 Imperial sons and daughters.
51#3#0#0:0:0# Emperor Ojin is the Great Hachiman Bodhisattva\NOTENUM25: of today. Female seamstresses, various artisans, and scholars (hakase) were brought from the state of Paikch? during this reign. Chinese classics, horses, and other things were presented to the court [from Paikch?].\NOTENUM26:
Great Imperial Chieftain: TAKENOUCHI Sukune.
51#4#0#0:0:0# (17) Emperor Nintoku. A reign of 87 years.(The first year was mizunoto tori [A.D. 313]. Emperor Nintoku was enthroned at the age of 24 and lived to the age of 110.)
51#5#0#0:0:0# Nintoku was the fourth son of Emperor Ojin and had been made Crown Prince in the 40th year of the Ojin reign. (There is a variant account that a younger brother was made Crown Prince.) Nintoku's mother was Empress Dowager Nakatsu Hime no Mikoto (granddaughter of Prince Ioki iri hiko). His palace was the Takatsu no Miya of Naniwa in the province of Settsu. He had three Empresses and six Imperial sons and daughters.
51M#6#0#0:0:0# I have written in detail [in Chapter 1] about how the younger and elder brother urged each other to take the throne, leaving it vacant for three years. Nintoku's young brother was appointed Crown Prince. Probably this version is right.
Great Imperial Chieftain: TAKENOUCHI Sukune.
52#1#2#0:0:0# This Great Imperial Chieftain was Imperial guardian of six Emperors, and he lived to be more than 280 years old. His place of burial is not known.
52#2#0#0:0:0#During this reign ice houses (himuro) first appeared, and falcon hunting emerged then.... Emperor Nintoku is the Great Illuminating Kami (dai myojin) now worshipped at the Hirano Shrine.\NOTENUM27:
52#3#0#0:0:0# (18) Emperor Richu. A reign of six years.(The first year was kanoe ne [A.D. 400]. Emperor Richu was enthroned at the age of 62 and lived to the age of 70.)
52#4#0#0:0:0#Richu was the eldest son of Emperor Nintoku and had been appointed Crown Prince in the 31st year of the Nintoku reign. His mother was Empress Dowager Iwa no Hime no Mikoto (daughter of KATSURAGI Sotsu Hiko).\NOTENUM28: Richu's palace was the Wakasakura no Miya of Iware in the province of Yamato, Richu had four Empresses and four Imperial sons and daughters.
52#5#0#0:0:0#During this reign, court waitresses (uneme) appeared. Four Great Imperial Chieftains. . . . It was during this reign that storehouses (kura) were built in various provinces.
Administrators of State Affairs (shissei): HEGURI Zuku no Sukune;
SOGA Machi no Sukune; and MONONOBE no Ikufutsu.
(There was an Administrator of State Affairs from this reign on.)
Great Deity Chieftain: KATSURAGI Tsubura no Omi.
He was the great grandson of TAKENOUCHI Sukune.
52#6#0#0:0:0# (19) Emperor Hansho. A reign of six years.(The first year was hinoe uma [A.D. 406]. Emperor Hansho was enthroned at the age of 55 and lived to the age of 60.)
52M#7#0#0:0:0#Hansho was the third son of Emperor Nintoku and had been appointed Crown Prince in the 2nd year of the Richu reign. His mother was also the mother of Emperor Richu. Hansho's palace was the Shibagaki no Miya at Tajihi in the province of Kawachi. Hansho had two Empresses and four Imperial sons and daughters.
53#1#0#0:0:0#Administrator of State Affairs: KATSURAGI Tsubura no Omi.
53#2#0#0:0:0# (20) Emperor Ingyo. A reign of 42 years.(The first year was mizunoe ne [A.D. 412]. Emperor Ingyo was enthroned at the age of 39 and lived to the age of 80.)
53#3#2#0:0:0#Ingyo was the fourth son of Emperor Nintoku, and his mother was the same as Emperor Richu's. His palace was the Totsu Asuka no Miya. Ingyo had two Empresses and nine Imperial sons and daughters. His Empress was Sotori Hime (said to have been the granddaughter of Emperor Ojin)....
Great Deity Chieftain: OTOMO Muroya no Muraji.
53#4#0#0:0:0# (21) Emperor Anko. A reign of three years.(The first year was mizunoto mi [A.D. 453]. Emperor Anko was enthroned at the age of 53 and lived to the age of 56.)
53#5#0#0:0:0#Anko was the second son of Emperor Ingyo, and his mother was Empress Dowager Osaka no Onakatsu Hime (daughter of Prince Wakanuke Futamata). His palace was the Anaho no Miya of Isonokami in the Yamanobe District of the province of Yamato.
53#6#0#0:0:0#Great Imperial Chieftain: KATSURAGI Tsubura no O omi.
53#7#0#0:0:0#In the 8th month of the 3rd year of this reign, Prince Mayuwa killed Emperor Anko and fled to Tsubura's house. Because of this, [Prince Mayuwa] was killed by Prince Ohasse.
53#8#0#0:0:0#Great Deity Chieftain: OTOMO Muroya no Muraji.
53#9#0#0:0:0#Emperor Anko killed his elder brother, the Crown Prince, and then succeeded to the throne on the 14th day of the 12th month at the age of 53. He also killed his uncle, Prince Okusaka, and took this uncle's wife for his Empress. The above mentioned Prince Mayuwa was her son, and Mayuwa killed Anko to avenge the wrong committed against his father. This affair is dealt with in detail in Chapter 1.
54#1#0#0:0:0# (22) Emperor Yuryaku. A reign of 22 years.(The first year was hinoe saru [A.D. 456]. Emperor Yuryaku was enthroned at the age of 70 and lived to the age of 104.)
54#2#0#0:0:0#Yuryaku was the fourth son of Emperor Ingyo, and his mother was also the mother of Emperor Anko. His palace was the Asakura no Miya at Hasse in the province of Yamato. He had four Empresses and five Imperial sons and daughters. It was in this reign that the child of Urashima caught a turtle which turned into a woman and went up to heaven.
Great Imperial Chieftains: HEGURI Matori no Omi; and MONONOBE Me no Muraji.
(The latter was a son of Ikufutsu, who had been an Administrator of State Affairs.)
54#3#0#0:0:0# (23) Emperor Seinei. A reign of five years.(The first was kanoe saru [A.D. 480]. Emperor Seinei was enthroned at the age of 35, or 37; and he lived to the age of 39.)
54#4#0#0:0:0#Seinei was the third son of Emperor Yuryaku, and his mother was Imperial Concubine (kotai fujin) Kara Hime (daughter of Great Imperial Chieftain KATSURAGI Tsubura). His palace was the Mikakuri no Miya at Iware in the province of Yamato.
54#5#0#0:0:0#Emperor Seinei was born with white hair and so was called Shiraga (white hair). His Imperial father appointed him Crown Prince because [the white hair seemed] awesome and significant.... Emperor Seinei had no Imperial sons, and so two grandsons of Emperor Richu were called in and adopted. Because of the political disturbances of the Anko reign, they had gone into hiding in the province of Tanba.
54#6#0#0:0:0#Great Imperial Chieftain:
Same as in the previous reign. Great Deity Chieftain: Same as in the previous reign.
54#7#0#0:0:0# (24) Emperor Kenzo. A reign of three years.(The first year was kinoto ushi [A.D. 485]. Emperor Kenzo was enthroned at the age of 36 and lived to the age of 48.)
55#1#0#0:0:0#Kenzo was a grandson of Emperor Richu and the third son of Prince Ichibe Oshiha. His mother was Hae Hime (granddaughter of Ari no Omi). His palace was the Yatsuri no Miya at Chikaasuka. Kenzo had one Empress and no Imperial sons. Meandering Stream Parties (kyokusui no en)\NOTENUM29: were first held during this reign.
55#2#0#0:0:0#Great Imperial Chieftain: Same as in the [Yuryaku] reign.
Great Deity Chieftain: Same as in the [Anko] reign.
55#3#0#0:0:0# (25) Emperor Ninken. A reign of 11 years.(The first year was tsuchinoe tatsu [A.D. 488]. Emperor Ninken lived to the age of 50.)
55#4#0#0:0:0#Ninken was the elder brother of Emperor Kenzo, and his mother was the same as Kenzo's. He had been appointed Crown Prince in the 3rd year of the Seinei reign. Ninken's palace was the Hirotaka no Miya at Isonokami in the district of Yamanobe in the province of Yamato. He had two Empresses and eight Imperial sons and daughters.
55#5#1#0:0:0#The affairs of Emperor Ninken and the previous Emperor Kenzowere detailed [in Chapter 1]. While these two brothers were urging each other to take the throne, their sister was enthroned.... She was called Empress Iitoyo .... She was enthroned in the 2nd month and died in the 11th month .... Her reign is not found in the ordinary Imperial chronologies. The state was very well governed during the reigns of these two brothers. Was not their rule good because they had lived in the countryside and were familiar with the people's grievances?
55M#6#0#0:0:0# Great Imperial Chieftain: HEGURI Matori no O omi.
(During this reign, HEGURI Matori no O omi was killed by OTOMO Kanamura no Muraji. HEGURI Matori no O omi had been Great Imperial Chieftain under five Emperors.)
Great Deity Chieftain: OTOMO Kanamura no Muraji.
56#1#0#0:0:0# (26) Emperor Buretsu. A reign of eight years.(The first year was tsuchinoe tora [A.D. 498]. Emperor Buretsu was enthroned at the age of 10 and lived to the age of 18, or 57. ...)
56#2#0#0:0:0#Buretsu was the eldest son of Emperor Ninken and had been appointed Crown Prince in the 7th year of the Ninken reign. His mother was Empress Kasuga no Oiratsume. His palace was the Namiki no Miya of Hasse. Buretsu had one Empress and no Imperial sons or daughters. He was an incomparably bad Emperor and took pleasure in killing people.\NOTENUM30: Even in the affair in which Matori, the Great Imperial Chieftain, was killed, Emperor Buretsu had allied himself with Kanamura, who subsequently was appointed Great Deity Chieftain.
56#3#0#0:0:0# (27) Emperor Keitai. A reign of 25 years.(The first year was hinoto i [A.D. 507]. Emperor Keitai was enthroned at the age of 58 and lived to the age of 82.)
56#4#1#0:0:0#Keitai was a fifth generation descendant of Emperor Ojin and the son of Prince Hiko Aruji. His mother was Furu Hime (daughter of seventh generation descendant of Emperor Ikume [Suinin]). The five generations that followed Emperor Ojin were: Prince Hayabusa; Prince Oto; Prince Shihi; Prince Hiko Aruji; and Emperor Keitai. But there is a different version that deletes Prince Shihi.... Is that not why, in identifying the five generations, Ojin's name is sometimes added and sometimes left out? One version has it that Empress Jingu was also a fifth generation descendant of Emperor Kaika.... and in that case Emperor Kaika is included as one of the five. If that is the case, is it not a mistake to include Prince Shihi [as one of Emperor Ojin's descendants]? This should certainly be investigated. Emperor Keitai's palace was the Tamaho no Miya at Iware in the province of Yamato. The capital was moved to the province of Yamashiro and then moved back to Yamato. . . .
56M#5#0#0:0:0#During this reign, a scholar of the five Confucian classics was sent to the Imperial Court from the state of Paikch? in Korea. The line of direct Imperial succession was broken after the reign of Buretsu, and Emperor Keitai was welcomed from the province of Echizen.\NOTENUM31: This was done by the Imperial Chieftains (omi) of the Imperial House. This was written up in detail [see Chapter 1]. Emperor Keitai had nine Empresses and 21 Imperial sons and daughters (9 sons and 12 daughters).
Great Imperial Chieftain: KOSE Ohito O omi.
(He was a son of TAKENOUCHI and died in the 9th month of the 20th year of this reign.)
Great Deity Chieftains:
OTOMO Kanamura no Muraji; and MONONOBE Arakabi no O muraji.
57#1#0#0:0:0# (28) Emperor Ankan. A reign of two years.(The first year was mizunoto ushi [A.D. 533]. Emperor Ankan was enthroned at 68 and lived to the age of 70.)
57#2#0#0:0:0#Ankan was the eldest son of Emperor Keitai, and his mother was Menoko Hime (daughter of Kusaka, Deity Chieftain of the province of Owari). His palace was the Kanahashi no Miya of Magari in the province of Yamato. Ankan had four Empresses and no Imperial sons or daughters.
Great Imperial Chieftain: None.
Great Deity Chieftain: Same as in the previous reign.
57#3#0#0:0:0# (29) Emperor Senka. A reign of four years.(The first year was kinoto u [A.D. 535]. Emperor Senka was enthroned at 69 and lived to the age of 73.)
57M#4#0#0:0:0#Senka was the second son of Emperor Keitai. His mother was the same as Emperor Ankan's. His palace was the Hinokuma no Miya in the province of Yamato. Senka had two Empresses and six Imperial sons and daughters. Great Imperial Chieftain: SOGA Iname no Sukune. (Son of SOGA Machi no Sukune).
Great Deity Chieftain: Same as in the previous reign.
58#1#1#0:0:0#(30) Emperor Kimmei. A reign of 32 years.(The first year was mizunoto i [A.D. 543]. How long Emperor Kimmei lived is not recorded―it should be investigated.)
58#2#0#0:0:0#Kimmei was the eldest son (or third son) of Emperor Keitai, and his mother was an Empress Dowager called Princess Tashiraka (a daughter of Emperor Ninken). His palace was the Shikishima no Miya. Kimmei had six Empresses and 25 Imperial sons and daughters (16 sons and 9 daughters).
Great Imperial Chieftain: SOGA Iname no Sukune.
(He died in the 3rd month of the 31st year of this reign).
Great Deity Chieftains: OTOMO Kanamura Maro; and MONONOBE Okoshi no Muraji.
58#3#0#0:0:0#During this reign, a Buddhist statue and some Buddhist scriptures were first brought to Japan from the state of Paikch? in Korea. Emperor Kimmei held them in high esteem. Meanwhile, a strange disease broke out in this country. Great Deity Chieftain MONONOBE memoralized the throne as follows: "Since ancient times this country has worshipped Kami. Now the situation is changed and Buddha is revered. Have not the Kami become angered by this?" Because [MONONOBE'S views were accepted], Buddhist statues were thrown into the Naniwa canal and Buddhist temples were burned. But then fire fell from the heavens and the Imperial Palace was burned'. An object brighter than the sun appeared in the sea. When persons were sent to see what it was, they found a camphor log floating in the sea. The Emperor had this made into a Buddhist statue. It is known as the "shining statue of Yoshino." Prince Shotoku was born in the final years of this reign.
59#1#0#0:0:0# (31) Emperor Bidatsu. A reign of 14 years.(The first year was mizunoe tatsu [A.D. 572]. Emperor Bidatsu lived to the age of 24.)
59#2#0#0:0:0#Bidatsu was the second son of Emperor Kimmei and was appointed Crown Prince in the 15th year of the Kimmei reign. His mother was Empress Dowager Princess Ishi Hime (daughter of Emperor Senka). His palace was the Osada no Miya of Iware in the province of Yamato. Bidatsu had four Empresses and 16 Imperial sons and daughters (6 sons and 10 daughters).
Great Imperial Chieftain: SOGA Umako no Sukune.
Great Deity Chieftain: MONONOBE Yuge no Moriya no Muraji [d. 587].
59#3#0#0:0:0#Buddhist statues, as well as Buddhist priests and nuns, were brought to Japan from the state of Paikch6 during this reign. Great Deity Chieftain Moriya had Buddhist statues burned and Buddhist priests banished. On the day [such things were done] it rained while there were no clouds in the heavens. The Emperor and his ministers contracted a bad skin disease, which spread throughout the country. This was due to the destruction of Buddhist Law.... Great ImperialChieftain SOGA alone took out a Buddha bone (shari) and conducted Buddhist rites, having faith in Buddhist Law. A memorial written on crow's feathers was presented to the Imperial Court from the state of Kokuli. The document was read by O Chin ni, the first man to hold the [hereditary] title of "recorder of ships" (fune no fubito).\NOTENUM32:
59#4#0#0:0:0# (32) Emperor Yomei [d. 587]. A reign of two years. (The first year was hinoe uma [A.D. 586].)
59#5#0#0:0:0#Yomei was the fourth son of Emperor Kimmei, and his mother was Kitashi Hime (daughter of Great Imperial Chieftain SOGA Iname). His palace was the Namitsuki no Miya at Ikebe in the province of Yamato. Yomei had three Empresses and seven Imperial sons and daughters.
Great Imperial Chieftain: Same as in the previous reign.
Great Deity Chieftain: Moriya (who was killed).
60#1#0#0:0:0#The Emperor died in the 4th month [of 587]. His body was placed in a coffin but not buried. In the 5th month a battle was fought between Moriya and Prince Shotoku. The Great Imperial Chieftain SOGA Umako and Prince Shotoku were of one mind [about Moriya]. Moriya was captured and all [his military forces] were destroyed. Buddhist Law prospered after that. Then in the 7th month [of 587] the body of Emperor Yomei was buried.
60#2#0#0:0:0# (33) Emperor Sushun (Soshun) [d. 592]. A reign of five years.(The first year was tsuchinoe saru [A.D. 588]. Emperor Sushun was enthroned at the age of 67.)
60#3#0#0:0:0#Sushun was the 15th son of Emperor Kimmei, and his mother was O’ane no Kimi (daughter of Great Imperial Chieftain SOGA Iname). His palace was the Kurahashi no Miya in the province of Yamato. Sushun had one Empress and two Imperial children.
Great Imperial Chieftain: SOGA Umako [d. 626], as in previous reigns.
Buddha bones were imported from Paikch?. Emperor Sushun was killed by Great Imperial Chieftain SOGA Umako.
60#4#1#0:0:0# (34) Empress Suiko. A reign of 36 years.(The first year was mizunoto ushi [A.D. 593]. Empress Suiko was enthroned at the age of 40 and lived to the age of 73.)
60#5#0#0:0:0#Suiko was the middle daughter of Emperor Kimmei (and vas Bidatsu's Empress). Her mother was the same as Emperor Yomei's. Suiko's palace was the Oharida no Miya in the province of Yamato.
Great Imperial Chieftains: SOGA Umako [d. 626], as in previous reigns.
(He died in the 5th month of the 34th year of the Suiko reign.)
SOGA Emishi no Omi [d. 645].
(He was appointed Great Imperial Chieftain in the same year [that Umako died] and was given the name of Toyora.)
61#1#0#0:0:0#When Emperor Sushun was killed, plans were made and Empress Suiko was placed on the throne. Prince Umayado was appointed Crown Prince and entrusted with the administration of state affairs. This Crown Prince, an Imperial son of Emperor Yomei, was Prince Shotoku. He wrote the Seventeen Article Constitution, established cap ranks (koburi-kurai), and had records\NOTENUM33: kept of developments in state affairs. It is said that after Prince Shotoku died the state deteriorated and the people became impoverished. Books on the calendar and astronomy were imported from Paikch?. High Priests (sojo) and Vicar Generals (sozu) were appointed for the first time during this reign. The affairs of temples, priests, and nuns were regulated.
61#2#0#0:0:0# (35) Emperor Jomei [593 641]. A reign of 13 years [A.D. 629 641].(The first year was tsuchinoto ushi [A.D. 629]. Emperor Jomei was enthroned at the age of 37 and lived to the age of 49.)
61#3#1#0:0:0#Jomei was a grandson of Emperor Bidatsu and the son of Prince Oshisaka no Oe, and his mother was Princess Nukate Hime (daughter of Emperor Bidatsu). His palace was the Okamoto no Miya of Takechi in the province of Yamato. His personal name (imina) was Tamura. Prior to this, the [personal] names of Emperors were very long and people did not use them. Since the reading of the characters of those earlier names is not certain, they are not recorded here. And since the number of characters in each name decreased after this reign, I will insert names for this and the following reigns. Emperor Jomei had five Empresses and eight Imperial sons and daughters.
Great Imperial Chieftain: SOGA Emishi no Omi [d. 645].
Emperor Jomei went to the Imperial Hot Springs (yu no miya) in the province of Iyo. After Empress Suiko died [in 628], and during this reign of Emperor Jomei (Tamura), persons who did not abide by [decisions reached at] conferences became engaged in a battle with the Great Imperial Chieftain, SOGA Emishi (Toyora). After they were defeated, the Great Imperial Chieftain had his son Iruka take over the administration of state affairs. Iruka's prestige and power were superior to that of his father, the Great Imperial Chieftain....
62#1#0#0:0:0# (36) Empress Kogyoku [594 661]. A reign of three years [642 645].(The first year was mizunoe tora [A.D. 642].)
62#2#0#0:0:0#Kogyoku was the great granddaughter of Emperor Bidatsu, and she had been the Empress of the former Emperor, Jomei. Prince Chinu, an Imperial [grandson of Emperor Bidatsu, was Empress Kogyoku's father, and her mother was Princess Kibi Hime (granddaughter of Emperor Kimmei)…\NOTENUM34: Her palace was the Kawara no Miya of Asuka in the province of Yamato.
Great Imperial Chieftain: SOGA Emishi no Omi [d. 645].
62#3#1#0:0:0#In the 12th month of the 2nd year of this reign, Prince Shotoku's son committed suicide because of the SOGA Iruka incident. It is said that during the reign of Empress Kogyoku the offices of Minister of the Left and Minister of the Right were established (but weren't they established during the next reign. . . ?); that SOGA Iruka, the son of the Great Imperial Chieftain SOGA Emishi (Toyora), administered the affairs of state; that his behavior was not good, and that the princes rebelled. It was at this time [in 645] that Prince Naka no Oe (who became Emperor Tenchi) and NAKATOMI Kamako (who became FUJIWARA Kamatari) made plans together and destroyed SOGA Iruka. Iruka's father, Great Imperial Chieftain Toyora, set fire to his houses and burned himself to death. It is also said that all state documents in that house were burned. This Great Imperial Chieftain became a great demon (oni). In the third year of her reign, Empress Kogyoku yielded the throne to her young brother [Kotoku].
62#4#0#0:0:0# (37) Emperor Kotoku [596 654]. A reign of 10 years [6456541.(The first year was kinoe tora [A.D. 654].\NOTENUM35:
62M#5#0#0:0:0#Kotoku's personal name was Karu, and he was the younger brother of Empress Kogyoku. His mother was the same as Empress Kogyoku's. He was enthroned on the 14th day (kanoe inu) of the 6th month of kinoto mi [645], and on the same day Prince Naka no Oe was appointed Crown Prince. (Prince Naka no Oe became Emperor Tenchi.) Emperor Kotoku's palace was the Toyosaki no Miya in Nagara of Naniwa (Namba) in the province of Settsu. He had three Empresses and one Imperial son.
63#1#0#0:0:0#Ministers of the Left:
ABE Kurahashi Maro [d. 649].
(He died on the 7th day of the 3rd month of the 5th year in this reign.)
KOSE Toko no O omi [593 658], Fifth Cap Rank.
(He was appointed Minister on the 20th day of the 4th month of 649.)
63#2#0#0:0:0#Ministers of the Right:
SOGA Yamada Ishikawa Maro [d.,649].
(He was the [grand]son of Umako and the one who committed suicide in the 3rd month of 649 because he was accused of being involved in a plot and was to have been executed.)
OTOMO Nagatoko, no Muraji, Fifth Cap Rank.
(He was appointed in the 4th month of 649 and died in the 7th month of 651.)
63#3#2#0:0:0#Minister of the Center: NAKATOMI Kamako no Muraji, Seventh Cap Rank [614 669].\NOTENUM36:
(He was appointed in 645. Another name was Kamatari. He was a 21st generation descendant of Ame no Koyane no Mikoto [the ancestral Kami of the FUJIWARA]. He was the eldest son of NAKATOMI Mikeko, who had a "small virtue" Cap Rank. On the 3rd day of the 6th month of 645, he killed SOGA Iruka, and for this he received honors and awards. The Imperial edict appointing him Minister of the Center read: "The country has achieved peace, which certainly is due to you. So you are granted the Seventh Cap Rank, appointed Minister of the Center, and given a stipend of 2,000 households. All important military and state affairs are to be administered by you. . . .")
63#4#0#0:0:0#Era names were instituted during this reign. The Taika era was five years long [645 649] and the Hakuchi five [650 654]. The "eight ministries and one hundred bureaus" were established then; and the boundaries of, and tribute from, the various provinces were fixed. Many books and treasures were brought to Japan from T'ang China. Emperor Kotoku was especially reverent toward Buddhist Law―even more than toward Kami matters. He had the whole compendium of Buddhist scripture (Issai kyo) read by more than 2,000 Buddhist priests and nuns, and on that same night he had more than 2,000 lanterns lighted at the Imperial Palace. A huge number of rats moved into the province of Yamato in the 1st month of, 654. This was said to be a sign that the capital should be moved.
63#5#0#0:0:0# (38) Empress Saimei (Seimei) [594 661]. A reign of seven years [655 661]. (This was the Empress's second reign. The first year was kinoto u [A.D. 655].)
64#1#1#0:0:0#Empress Kogyoku [36] succeeded to the throne a second time as Empress Saimei. She resided at the palace of Okamoto no Miya in the province of Yamato. (The capital had first been moved to Kawara no Miya at Asuka.) She gave birth to a child by Prince Takamuko, grandson of Emperor Yomei. Later she became Emperor Jomei's [35] Empress and had three Imperial sons by him. Toward the end of her reign, many people died. It was said that this was due to the vengeful soul of Great Imperial Chieftain [SOGA Emishi] Toyora. That soul was seen flying into the sky on a dragon. On the night that this Empress was buried, [Emishi's vengeful soul] was wearing a big hat, walking around, and observing things.\NOTENUM37:
Minister of the Left: KOSE Toko no O omi [593 658], Fifth Cap Rank.
(He died in the 1st month of the 4th year of this reign.)
Minister of the Center: NAKATOMI Kamako no Muraji, Seventh Cap Rank.
64#2#0#0:0:0# (39) Emperor Tenchi [626 671]. A reign of 10 years [661 671]. (The first year was mizunoe inu [A.D. 662].)
64#3#0#0:0:0#Tenchi's personal name was KATSURAGI. He was the first son of Emperor Jomei [35], and his mother was Empress Kogyoku [36].\NOTENUM38: His palace was the Otsu no Miya in the province of Omi. Tenchi had nine Empresses and 14 Imperial sons and daughters.
Prime Minister: Prince Otomo. (He was the eldest son of Emperor Tenchi. A Prime Minister was appointed from this reign on.)
Minister of the Center: FUJIWARA Kamatari [614 669], First Cap Rank (taishokkan).
(He was appointed Minister of the Center on the 15th day of the 10th month of the 8th year of this reign and granted the clan name of FUJIWARA. He died on the 16th day of that same month. He was 56 years old and had held office for 25 years.)
64M#4#0#0:0:0#In addition, there were six Ministers of the Left and Right. Since his Emperor had a deep sense of filial devotion, he did not occupy the throne until the 7th year after the death of his mother, Empress Saimei. Prince Otomo was appointed Prime Minister; the farmers of the various provinces were investigated; and the [number of] people's hearths (tami no kamado) were recorded. While [Tenchi] was Crown Prince, a water clock (rokoku) was made. Kamatari was appointed Minister of the Center and was the first man to receive the clan name of FUJIWARA.
65#1#0#0:0:0#When Empress Saimei succeeded to the throne [in 654], it did not seem likely that she would reign until seven years later. There was, however, no break in Imperial succession. The country had to have a ruler until her death seven years after [she ascended the throne a second time]. During those seven years, Tenchi should have occupied the throne, but since his Imperial mother was reigning a second time, he realized his desire for enthronement after the seven years had elapsed.
65#2#3#0:0:0# (40)\NOTENUM39: Emperor Temmu [d. 686]. A reign of 15 [sic] years [673 686]. (The first year was mizunoe saru [672].)\NOTENUM40:
65#3#0#0:0:0#Temmu's personal name was O ama, and he was the third son of Emperor Jomei. His mother was the same as Tenchi's. His palace was the Kiyomihara no Miya at Asuka in the province of Yamato. He was appointed Crown Prince in the 7th year of the Tenchi reign. Tenchi had said that he wanted the throne passed to Temmu upon his death, but Temmu did not want it. He said that the throne should be passed to either [Tenchi's] Empress or to Prince Otomo. In order to show people that he did not want to have the throne, Temmu entered the Buddhist priesthood and secluded himself at Mt. Yoshino. When his daughter (the wife of Prince Otomo) secretly informed him that Prince Otomo had raised an army for an attack, Temmu probably thought: "Why is he doing that? I thought I had secluded myself [in order to stay out of politics]!" So Temmu fled toward the province of Ise and, after reporting to the Sun Goddess at Ise Shrine, mobilized troops in the provinces of Mino and Owari. He fought and won a battle in the province of Omi. Then he occupied the throne and governed the state well. Everyone knows about those military actions.
66#1#0#0:0:0#Prince Otsu was Emperor Temmu's son. It is said that this Prince administered the affairs of state, had a liking for Chinese literature, and was the first [Japanese] person to compose Chinese poems (shifu).
Minister of the Left: SOGA Akae no Omi, Seventh Cap Rank. (He was exiled during the 8th month of the 1st year of this reign.)
Minister of the Right: NAKATOMI Kane no Muraji [d. 672], Seventh Cap Rank. (He was executed in the 8th month of the 1st year of this reign.)
Senior Counselor: SOGA Hatayasu [d. 672]. (He was executed for his part in the incident of the 8th month of the 1st year of this reign. The office of Senior Counselor was created during this reign, and five men held it in those years.)
66#2#0#0:0:0#These era names fell in the Temmu reign: (1) Suzaku, which was one year long [672]. (It began in mizunoe saru.) (2) Hakuho, which was 13 years long [673 686]. (It began in mizunoe saru, the year Suzaku began. Did both begin in the same year?) And (3) Shucho, which was eight years long [686 694]. (One year of this era fell within the Temmu reign.)
66#3#0#0:0:0#In the 10th year of Temmu's reign, the Emperor's heir, Prince Kusakabe, was appointed Crown Prince. After the war with Prince Otomo, the Ministers of the Right and Left were executed. There were no Ministers during the remainder of this reign.
66#4#0#0:0:0# (41) Empress Jito [645 7021. A reign of 10 years [686 697]. (The first year was hinoto i [687].)
66#5#0#0:0:0#Jito's personal name was Uno. She was the second daughter of Emperor Tenchi, and Temmu's Empress. Her mother was Ochi no Iratsume (daughter of Minister SOGA Yamada Ishikawa Maro). Jito's palace was the Fujiwara no Miya in the province of Yamato.
Prime Minister: Prince Takechi [654 696], First Joko Rank.
(The third son of Emperor Temmu. He was appointed Prime Minister on the 5th day of the 7th month in the 4th year of the Jito reign. He died on the 13th day in the 7th month of the 10th year of that reign. The office of Middle Counselor existed from this reign on. . . .)
66M#6#0#0:0:0#In addition to Prime Minister, there was also a Minister of the Right and a Senior Counselor. Although the Crown Prince was alive [when Emperor Temmu died], the Crown Prince's mother ―and Temmu's Empress―was placed on the throne first. Then the son of this Crown Prince Kusakabe, Prince Karu, was made Grown Prince. It was at the beginning of this reign that Prince Otsu rebelled and was killed.
67#1#0#0:0:0#/The eras that fell in this reign were: (1) the remaining seven years of Shucho; and (2) Taika, which was four years long [695 698]. (The first year of this era was kinoto hitsuji [695].)
67#2#0#0:0:0#"Rabbit stick" [rites]" and "dance poetry" performances\NOTENUM42: were held for the first time. In the 3rd year of the Taika era [697], Empress Jito yielded the throne to the Crown Prince. She was the first to receive the title of Retired Empress (daijo tenno). She lived on four years after retirement.
67#3#0#0:0:0# (42) Emperor Mommu [683 707]. A reign of 11 years [697-707].(The first year was hinoto tori [697]. Emperor Mommu lived to the age of 25.)
67#4#2#0:0:0#Mommu's personal name was Karu (and he was enthroned at the age of 15). He was a grandson of Emperor Temmu and the second son of Prince Kusakabe, who was Temmu's Crown Prince. Mommu's mother was the future Empress Gemmei [43]. His palace was the same Fujiwara no Miya that had been occupied by Empress Jito. He had two Empresses and one Imperial son. He was appointed Crown Prince in the 2nd month of the 3rd year of Taika (tsuchinoe-inu [698]).
Acting Prime Minister: Prince Osakabe.
(The ninth son of Emperor Temmu. He was appointed on the 20th day of the 1st month of the 3rd year of Taiko [703] and died on the 7th day of the 5th month of Keiun 2 [705].)
Senior Counselor: FUJIWARA Fuhito [659 720]. (The second son of Kamatari. He was appointed in Taiho 1 [701].)
Consultant: OTOMO Yasumaro. (A consultant was appointed from this reign on.)
67M#5#0#0:0:0#One year of the Taika era fell in this reign. The following three years had no era name. The Taiho era (which was instituted on the 21st day of the 3rd month of kanoto ushi [701]) was three years long [701 704]. After this there was no break in the continuity of era names. In this reign, penal and civil (ritsuryo) codes were compiled; \NOTENUM43: robes were prescribed for the various offices and ranks; the practice of granting caps was abolished; and certificates of Imperial appointments (iki) were instituted. The Keiun era was four years long [704 708]. It began in kinoe tatsu [7041.) It began on the 7th day of the 5th month.
68#1#0#0:0:0# (43) Empress Gemmei [661 721]. A reign of seven years [707 715].
68#2#0#0:0:0#Gemmei's personal name was Abe, and she received the throne on the 15th day of the 6th month of Keiun 4 [707]. (She was enthroned at the age of 48 and lived to the age of 61.) Gemmei was the fourth daughter of Emperor Tenchi and the mother of Emperor Mommu. She had been the Imperial consort (nyogo) of crown Prince Kusakabe. Her mother was SOGA Hime (a daughter of SOGA Yamada no O omi), Her palace was the Nara no Miya of the province of Yamato.
Acting Prime Minister: Prince Hozumi [d. 715].
Minister of the Left: ISO Kami Maro.
Minister of the Right: FUJIWARA Fuhito [659 720].
(He was appointed to that post on the 21st day of the 3rd month of 708.)
68#3#0#0:0:0#The Wado era lasted seven years [708 715] and began on the 11th day of the 1st month (of tsuchinoe saru). Because [the future Emperor] Shomu was still a child when Emperor Mommu died [in 707], Empress Gemmei was enthroned first.
68M#4#1#0:0:0# (44) Empress Gensei [680 748]. A reign of nine years [715-724]. (The first year was ______.)
Gensei's personal name was Hitaka. (She was enthroned at the age of 35.) She was the daughter of Crown Prince Kusakabe (and the cider sister of Emperor Mommu). Gensei's mother was Empress Gemmei [43], who was the mother of Emperor Mommu [42]. Gensei's palace was the Nara no Miya of the province of Yamato.
Acting Prime Ministers: Prince Hozumi [d. 715].
(He died on the 13th day of the 7th month of 715.) Prince Toneri [d. 735].
(The third son of Emperor Temmu, he was appointed Acting Prime Minister on the 1st day of the 8th month of 720.)
Minister of the Left: Same as in the previous reign. Minister of the Right: Same as in the previous reign.
Middle Counselor: FUJIWARA Muchimaro [677 737].
Consultant: FUJIWARA Fusasaki [681 737].
(Both Muchimaro and Fusasaki were sons of Lord Tankai [FUJIWARA Fuhito].)
The era names that fell in this reign were: (1) Reiki, which lasted two years [715 717] and began on the 3rd day of the 9th month (of kinoto u). The day the era name was changed was the same day Empress Gensei was enthroned. And (2) Yoro, which was seven years long [717 724] and began on the 17th day of the 11th month (of hinoto mi).
69#1#0#0:0:0#Minister [FUJIWARA] Fuhito died on the 3rd day of the 8th month of 720 (at the age of 62). He was given the posthumous name (okurina) of Lord Tankai. As the maternal grandfather of [the future Emperor] Shomu [45], he was treated particularly well after he became ill. He was appointed Prime Minister posthumously....
69#2#0#0:0:0# (45) Emperor Shomu [701 756]. A reign of 25 years [724-749].(The first year was______.)
69M#3#0#0:0:0#Shomu's personal name is not clearly known. (He was enthroned at the age of 25.) He was called Emperor Ame shirushi kuni Oshi hiraki Toyo sakura Hiko.... He was the eldest son of Emperor Mommu and was appointed Crown Prince in 714. Shomu's mother was Imperial concubine (fujin) FUJIWARA Miyako (daughter of Lord Tankai). Shomu's palace was the same as Empress Gensei's: Nara no Miya in the province of Yamato. He had four Empresses and six Imperial sons and daughters.
Acting Prime Minister: Prince Toneri [d. 735].
(The Prince died on the 14th day of the 11th month of 735 at the age of 60, and he was posthumously appointed Prime Minister on the 22nd day of the month in which he died. In the 6th month of 758, he was posthumously granted the title (tsuigo) of Emperor Sudo Jinkei.)
Another Acting Prime Minister: Prince Suzuka [d. 745].
(He was the third son of Prince Takechi, Prime Minister, and was appointed Acting Prime Minister in the 9th month of 737. He died on the 3rd day of the 9th month of 745.)
Ministers of the Left:Prince Nagaya [d. 729].
(This Prince was executed because of his involvement in a plot. Umakai was sent [to arrest him]. He was the eldest son of Prince Takechi.)
TACHIBANA Moroe [684 757].
(Descended from Emperor Bidatsu. His name was changed from Prince KATSURAGI to TACHIBANA Moroe.)
Minister of the Right: FUJIWARA Muchimaro [677 737].
(He was appointed Minister of the Right on the 17th day of the 1st month of 734,. and he died on the 25th day of the 7th month of 737 at the age of 58. He was posthumously appointed Prime Minister.)
Middle Counselor: FUJIWARA Toyonari [704 765].
(First son of FUJIWARA Muchimaro and Senior Captain of the Middle Bodyguards.)
70#1#0#0:0:0#These eras came in the Shomu reign: (1) Jinki, which lasted five years [724 729] and began on the 4th day of the 2nd month (of kinoe ne). Emperor Shomu was enthroned on that same day. And (2) Tempyo, which lasted 20 years [729 749] and began on the 5th day of the 8th month (of tsuchinoto mi).
70#2#0#0:0:0#On the 3rd day of the 7th month of 749, Shomu stepped down from the throne at the age of 50 and entered the Buddhist priesthood. His Buddhist name (hoki) was Shoman. He lived eight years after retirement. He had Todai Temple built. Details of this have been written in Chapter 1.
Consultant: FUJIWARA Fusasaki [681 737]. (He was appointed Senior Commander of the Middle Bodyguards in 730 and was the first to receive the title of Senior Commander. He died on the 17th day of the 4th month of 737 at the age of 57.)
70#3#0#0:0:0#It was in these years that four brothers became the founders of four houses: (1) FUJIWARA Muchi (probably an error for Muchimaro, who was the first son of FUJIWARA Fuhito); (2) FUJIWARA Fusasaki (the second son); (3) FUJIWARA Umakai (the third son); and (4) FUJIWARA Maro (the fourth son). Three of them became Consultants. [All four] died in the single year [of 737]. (Umakai on the 5th day of the 8th month, and Maro on the 13th day of the 7th month.) Measles (akamogasa) had broken out in the empire, and the number of those who died could not be counted....
70#4#0#0:0:0# (46) Empress Koken [718 770]. A reign of 10 years [749-758].(The first year was ______.)
70M#5#0#0:0:0#Koken's personal name was Abe. (She was enthroned at the age of 30.) She was the daughter of Emperor Shomu, and her mother was Empress Komyo (who was in turn a daughter of Lord Tankai [Fuhito]). Koken's palace was the same Nara no Miya.
Minister of the Left: TACHIBANA Moroe [684 757].
(He submitted his resignation to the throne and retired in the 2nd month of 756.)
Minister of the Right: FUJIWARA Toyonari [703 765].
(He was appointed to this post on the 14th day of the 4th month of 749 and was advanced to Minister of the Left in 757. In the 2nd month of 763, having been implicated in some affair, he was exiled because he had extended favors to his brother Nakamaro. . . .)
Another Minister of the Right: FUJIWARA Emi no Oshikatsu [706-764].
(His original name was FUJIWARA Nakamaro. He was the second son of FUJIWARA Muchimaro and was appointed Minister of the Right on the 19th day of the 2nd month of 757. He continued to hold the original positions of: Supreme Military Official [shibinaisho];\NOTENUM44: Vice Minister [jundaijin]; and Senior Commander of the Middle Bodyguards. In 758, his title of Minister of the Right was changed to Grand Guardian [taiho]―this was on the 25th day of the 8th month. On that day an Imperial rescript was handed down saying: "Emi is to be added to your name and Oshikatsu is to replace Nakamaro. You are to be granted a stipend of 100 cho of land…." )
71#1#1#0:0:0#On the 2nd day of the 7th month of 749, Empress Koken was enthroned. [The following eras came during her reign]: (1) Tempyo Shoho, which lasted eight years [749 757]. (The first year of this era was tsuchinoto ushi.) (2) Tempyo Hoji, two years of which [757 758] fell within the Koken reign. This era began on the 2nd day (the Shoku Nihongi says it was the 18th day) of the 8th month (of the hinoto tori year). It seems that the Tempyo Kanpo era began on the 14th day of the 4th month [of 749], but the era name was changed to Tempyo Shoho on the 2nd day of the 7th month of that year. Probably this is why Tempyo Kanpo is not found in the ordinary chronologies.
71#2#0#0:0:0#A "10,000 priest" mass was held at the Todai Temple during this reign, and at the Imperial Palace the characters "the empire's great peace" (tenka taihei) mysteriously appeared. Many things that occurred during this reign were dealt with in [Chapter 1].
71#3#0#0:0:0# (47) Deposed Emperor of Awaji [733 765].\NOTENUM45: A reign of six years [758 764].(The first year was _______.)
71#4#0#0:0:0#His personal name was Oi. (He was enthroned at the age of 26.) He was a grandson of Emperor Temmu and the seventh son of Prince Toneri. His mother was Imperial concubine Yamashiro (daughter of Taima no Oyu, Governor of Kazusa). His palace was the Nara no Miya.
72#1#0#0:0:0#Prime Minister: FUJIWARA Oshikatsu [706 764].
(On the 11th day of the 1st month of 760, he was promoted from taiho to taishi. The Emperor called on the residence of the taiho and made presents of silk cloth from the Treasury to clerks [sakan] and above according to their rank. He then bestowed upon Oshikatsu the title of Prime Minister and allowed him personal bodyguards [zuijin]. On the 11th day of the 9th month of 764, a plot [by Oshikatsu] was uncovered and he was stripped of all offices and titles. Oshikatsu lost the clan name of FUJIWARA and was executed.)
Minister: Master of Buddhist Meditation (zenji) Dokyo [d. 772]. (Appointed Minister in 764 and granted the surname of YUGE. Originally he had been a junior Vicar General.)
Minister of the Right: FUJIWARA Toyonari [703 765].
(He was promoted to Minister of the Left in 760)\NOTENUM46: but demoted [to Minister of the Right] in the 4th month of 764. Because he had not committed a crime that warranted punishment, he was called back [from exile to Dazaifu] and treated well.)
72#2#3#0:0:0#On the 2nd day of the 8th month [of 757], the era name was changed to Tempyo Hoji, which was to last eight years [757 765]. (The first year of that era was hinoto tori.) The Deposed Emperor of Awaji had been named Crown Prince in the 1st year of that era, and he was enthroned on the 1st day of the 8th month of the 2nd year in that era [758]. Because he was allied with Minister Oshikatsu in opposition to the former Empress Koken [\NOTENUM46:], he was exiled to the province of Awaji, where he died three years later.\NOTENUM47:
72#3#0#0:0:0# (48) Empress Shotoku [718 770]. A reign of five years [764 770]. (She was [this time] enthroned at the age of 52.)
72#4#0#0:0:0#This was the second time she [former Empress Koken] had been enthroned. This enthronement was on the 1st day of the 1st month of 765.
Prime Minister: Master of Buddhist Meditation Dokyo [d. 772]. (In 766, he was given the title of Priest Emperor [Ho o].)
Minister of the Right: KIBI Makibi [693 775].
(Son of SHIMOTSU MICHI Ason Kunikatsu, Junior Captain of the Imperial Bodyguards of the Right. He was also Senior Commander of the Middle Bodyguards.)
Senior Counselor: FUJIWARA Matate [715 766].
(Third son of FUIJIWARA Fusasaki. He died on the 16th day of the 3rd month of 766.)
72#5#0#0:0:0#On the 7th day of the 1st month [of 765], the era name was changed to Tempyo Jingo, which was three years long [765 767]. (The first year was kinoto mi.) On the 18th day of the 8th month [of 767], the era name was changed to Jingo Keiun, which also lasted three years [767 770]. (The first year was hinoto hitsuji.)
72M#6#0#0:0:0#The Empress died on the 4th day of the 8th month of 769.... She had been enthroned at the age of 52, and she died at the age of 57. The appointment of Dokyo as Priest Emperor [was in 766], and the oracular messages from the Sun Goddess and the Great Hachiman Bodhisattva to WAKE Kiyomaro [were received in 769].\NOTENUM48: The first year of the Tempyo Shobo [sic] had been hinoto tori [757], and the first year of the reign of the deposed Emperor of Awaji had been tsuchinoe inu [758]. [These matters] can not be written down in detail. Are they not subjects of gossip?
73#1#0#0:0:0# (49) Emperor Konin [709 781]. A reign of 12 years [770-781].
73#2#1#0:0:0#Konin's personal name was Shirakabe. Originally he was a Senior Counselor. The ministerial group [made their decision] on the 4th day (mizunoto mi) of the 8th month of 770 (kanoe inu).... Prince Shirakabe, Senior Counselor, was appointed Crown Prince and placed in charge of all state affairs (at the age of 62). Empress Takano [Shotoku] left the following injunction: "Be it here proclaimed that the Senior Counselor Prince Shirakabe is to be Crown Prince…." He was enthroned in the Imperial Council Hall on the 1st day (tsuninoto ushi) of the 10th month of that same year [770].... Konin was a grandson of Emperor Tenchi and the sixth son of Prince Shiki. His mother was Tochi Hime (daughter of KI Morohito). His palace was the Nara no Miya. He had five Empresses and seven imperial sons and daughters.
73M#3#0#0:0:0#Minister of the Left: FUJIWARA Nagate [714 771].
(He died on the 21st day of the 2nd month of 771 at the age of 58.)
Minister of the Right: ONAKATOMi Kiyomaro [702 788].
Another Minister of the Left: FUJIWARA Uona [721 783]. (The fifth son of FUJIWARA Fusasaki [681 737] and Senior Commander of the Imperial Bodyguards.)
Minister of the Center: FUJIWARA Yoshitsugu [716 777]. (His original name was Sukunamaro, and he was the second son of Umakai, Minister of Ceremonies.)
Consultant: FUJIWARA Momokawa [732 779]. (The eighth son of Umakai. He died on the 9th day of the 7th month of 779 at the age of 48.)
74#1#0#0:0:0#On the 1st day of the 10th month [of 770], the era name was changed to Hoki, an era that lasted 11 years [770 780]. (The first year was kanoe inu.) Then on the 1st day of the 1st month [of 781], the era name was changed to Ten'o, which was one year long [781-782]. (The first year was kanoto tori.)
74#2#0#0:0:0#Following the death of Empress Takano [Shotoku], ministers and lower ranking noblemen made plans and had Konin placed on the throne. In the 4th month of 781, the throne was yielded to the Crown Prince. Then in the 12th month Konin died at the age of 73.
74#3#0#0:0:0# (50) Emperor Kwammu [737 806]. A reign of 24 years [781 806].
74#4#1#0:0:0#Kwammu's personal name was Yamabe, and he received the throne on the 3rd day of the 4th month of 781 (at the age of 45). He was an Imperial son of Emperor Konin. He had been appointed Crown Prince in 773 (at the age of 37). Kwammu's mother was a woman of the TAKANO clan. (Her name was Niikasa and she was a daughter of Otosugi Ason.) He first moved the capital to the Nagaoka no Miya, but later his palace was the Heian no Miya.\NOTENUM49: (This is located in the province of Yamashiro and is the capital today.) He had 16 Empresses and consorts, and 32 Imperial sons and daughters.
74#5#0#0:0:0#Minister of the Left: FUJIWARA Uona [721 783].
(Uona was exiled for complicity in the incident that occurred on the 14th day of the 6th month of 782. Saying that he was ill, he stopped at Naniwa and returned to the capital in the 5th month of 783. He died on the 25th day of the 7th month [of that year]. His original office was posthumously restored, and the Imperial edict ordering him into exile was withdrawn and burned.... He was 63.)
74#6#0#0:0:0#Ministers of the Right: FUJIWARA Tamaro [722 783]. (Fifth son of Umakai and Senior Commander of the Imperial Bodyguards.)FUJIWARA Korekimi [727 789]. (A grandson of Muchimaro and son of Consultant Otomaro. He was appointed on the 19th day of the 7th month of 783 and died on the 19th day of the 9th month of 789.)FUJIWARA Tsuginawa [727 806]. (A son of Toyonari and a Senior Commander of the Middle Bodyguards. He was appointed on the 27th day of the 2nd month of 790. And he died on the 16th day of the 7th month of 796 at the age of 70.)
75#1#0#0:0:0#Prince Miwa [d. 806]. (A grandson of Emperor Tenchi and son of Prince E no i. He was appointed in the 8th month of 798.)
75#2#0#0:0:0#Middle Counselor: FUJIWARA Uchimaro [756 812]. (A grandson of Fusasaki. Third son of Senior Counselor Matate. He was appointed on the 16th day of the 8th month of 798.)
75#3#0#0:0:0#On the 19th day of the 8th month [of 782], the era name was changed to Enryaku, which was 24 years long [782 806]. (The first year was mizunoe inu.)
75#4#0#0:0:0#Grand Preceptor Dengyo [767 822]. (Dengyo and Jikaku were [posthumously] given the title of Grand Preceptor on the same day, in response to a memorial submitted by Priest Soo [831 918], Second Grade, of the Mudo Temple. The Central Hall [of Mt. Hiei] was built in 788 by Grand Preceptor Dengyo, who went to T'ang China in 804 and returned to Japan in 805. He died on the 4th day of the 6th month of 822 at the age of 56.)
75M#5#0#0:0:0#During this reign, the capital was moved to Nagaoka in the province of Yamashiro. Not long afterward, it was moved to Heian. Since then, the capital has not been moved. Both Grand Preceptor Dengyo and Grand Preceptor Kobo went to T'ang China in the closing years of this reign. It is said that Emperor Kwammu had no liking for learning but that he respected military power. Using SAKANOUE no Tamura Maro [758 811] as Supreme Commander [of an expeditionary force], he had the barbarians of the northern provinces (ebisu) subjugated. The TAIRA clan of today is descended from Emperor Kwammu."