Emperor Yōmei

Japanese emperor
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Emperor Yōmei (用明天皇, Yōmei-tennō, died 587) was the 31st emperor of Japan,[1] according to the traditional order of succession.[2]

Yōmei
Emperor of Japan
Reign585–587
PredecessorBidatsu
SuccessorSushun
Born518
Died587 (aged 69)
Burial
Kawachi no Shinaga no hara no misasagi (Osaka)

The years of the reign of Yōmei start in 585 and end in 587.[3] The names and sequence of the early emperors were not confirmed as "traditional" until the reign of Emperor Kammu, who was the 50th monarch of the Yamato dynasty.[4]

Traditional history

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Historians consider details about the life of Emperor Yōmei to be possibly legendary, but probable.[5] The name Yōmei-tennō was created for him posthumously by later generations.

Emperor Yōmei was the fourth son of Emperor Kimmei. His mother, Soga no Kitashihime, was a daughter of Soga no Iname.[6]

His palace in Yamato Province was called Namitsuki no Miya at Ikebe.[7]

Yōmei had three Empresses and seven Imperial sons and daughters.[7]

Yōmei's son, Prince Umayado, is also known as Prince Shōtoku.[8]

Events of Yōmei's life

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  • 586: In the 14th year of Bidatsu's reign, the emperor died. The succession (senso) received by Bidatsu's younger brother who would become Emperor Yōmei.[9] This was confirmed in ceremonies.[10]
  • 587, in the 4th month: Yōmei died and his body was placed in a coffin, but not buried.[7] His reign lasted only two years. He died at the age of 69.[11]
  • 587, in the 5th month: There was armed conflict over the succession; and forces led by Prince Shōtoku and Soga no Umako overcame the opposition. The throne passed to a younger brother who would become known as Emperor Shushun.[12]
 
The mausoleum (misasagi) of Emperor Yōmei in Osaka Prefecture.
  • 587, in the 7th month: The body of former Emperor Yōmei was buried.[7]

After his death

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According to the Imperial Household Agency, the emperor's final resting place is in an earthen tumulus (kofun). Yōmei is venerated at a memorial Shinto shrine (misasagi) which is associated with the burial mound.[1]

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References

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The chrysanthemum symbol of the Japanese emperor and his family.
  1. 1.0 1.1 Imperial Household Agency (Kunaichō), 用明天皇 (31); retrieved 2011-10-18.
  2. Brown, Delmer. (1979). Gukanshō, p. 263; Varley, H. Paul. (1980). Jinnō Shōtōki. pp. 125-126; Titsingh, Isaac. (1834). Annales des empereurs du Japon, pp. 37-38.
  3. Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2002). "Traditional order of Tennō" at pp. 962-963.
  4. Aston, William George. (1896). Nihongi, p. 109 n1.
  5. Kelly, Charles F. "Kofun Culture," Japanese Archaeology. April 27, 2009; retrieved 2013-1-31.
  6. Brown, Gukanshō, p. 263; Varley, p. 125.
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Brown, Gukanshō, p. 263.
  8. Varley, pp.125-129.
  9. Brown, p. 263; Varley, p. 44; Titsingh, p. 37.
  10. Varley, p. 44; compare Imperial Household Agency (Kunaichō), Ceremony of Accession (Sokui-no-Rei); retrieved 2011-12-19.
  11. Varley, p. 126.
  12. Brown, pp. 262-263.

Other websites

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  Media related to Emperor Keitai at Wikimedia Commons

Preceded by
Emperor Bidatsu
Emperor of Japan
Yōmei

585-587
Succeeded by
Emperor Sushun