Emperor Sujin
Emperor Sujin 崇神天皇 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Emperor of Japan | |||||
Reign | 97 BC – 30 BC (traditional)[1] | ||||
Predecessor | Kaika | ||||
Successor | Suinin | ||||
Born | Mimaki (御間城尊) 148 BC[2] | ||||
Died | 30 BC (aged 118) | ||||
Burial | Yamanobe no michi no Magari no oka no e no misasagi (山邊道勾岡上陵) (Nara) | ||||
Spouse | Mimaki-hime (with two consorts) | ||||
Issue among others... | Emperor Suinin | ||||
| |||||
House | Imperial House of Japan | ||||
Father | Emperor Kaika | ||||
Mother | Ikagashikome[a] | ||||
Religion | Shinto |
Emperor Sujin (崇神天皇, Sujin-tennō), also known as Mimakiirihikoinie no Mikoto (御眞木入日子印恵命) in the Kojiki, and Mimakiiribikoinie no Sumeramikoto (御間城入彦五十瓊殖天皇) or Hatsukunishirasu Sumeramikoto (御肇國天皇) in the Nihon Shoki was the tenth Emperor of Japan.[4][5] While Sujin is the first emperor whose existence historians widely accept, he is still referred to as a "legendary emperor" due to a lack of information available and because dates for his reign vary.[6][7] Both the Kojiki, and the Nihon Shoki (collectively known as the Kiki) record events that took place during Sujin's alleged lifetime. This legendary narrative tells how he set up a new shrine outside of the Imperial palace to enshrine Amaterasu. He is also credited with initiating the worship of Ōmononushi (equated with the deity of Mount Miwa), and expanding his empire by sending generals to four regions of Japan in what became known as the legend of Shidō shogun.
This Emperor's reign is conventionally assigned the years of 97 BC – 30 BC.[8][9] During his alleged lifetime, he fathered twelve children with a chief wife (empress) and two consorts. Sujin chose his future heir based on dreams two of his sons had; in this case, his younger son became Emperor Suinin upon Sujin's death in 30 BC. Like other emperors of this period, the location of Sujin's grave if it exists is unknown. He is traditionally venerated at the Andonyama kofun in Tenri, Nara.
Legendary narrative
The Japanese have traditionally accepted this sovereign's historical existence, and a kofun (tumulus) for Sujin is currently maintained. There remains no conclusive evidence though that supports this historical figure actually reigning. 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 Sujin was born sometime in 148 BC, and was the second son of Emperor Kaika.[2][5] Sujin's mother was Ikagashikome no Mikoto, who was also a concubine of Sujin's grandfather Emperor Kōgen.[8][b] Before he was enthroned sometime in 97 BC, his pre-ascension name was either Prince Mimakiirihikoinie no Mikoto, Mimakiiribikoinie no Sumeramikoto, or Hatsukunishirasu Sumeramikoto.[2][10] The former name is used in the Kojiki, while the latter two are found in the Nihon Shoki. Sujin was enthroned sometime in 97 BC, and during the 3rd year of his reign it is the recorded that he moved the capital to Shiki (磯城), naming it the Palace of Mizu-gaki or Mizugaki-no-miya (瑞籬宮).[10][c]
Enshrining Ōmononushi (Miwa Myōjin)
The Kiki records that
Sujin's aunt Yamatototohimomoso-hime (倭迹迹日百襲媛命) (daughter of 7th Emperor Emperor Kōrei) acted as a miko, and was possessed by a god who identified himself as Ōmononushi. This god claimed responsibility for the plague, announcing that it would not stop until he was venerated. Although the Emperor propitiated to the god, the effects were not immediate. Sujin was later given guidance in the form of a dream to seek out a man named Ōtataneko (太田田根子) and appoint him as head priest. When he was found and installed, the pestilence eventually subsided, allowing five cereal crops to ripen.[10] Out of an abundance of caution, the Emperor also appointed Ikagashikoo (伊香色雄) as kami-no-mono-akatsu-hito (神班物者), or one who sorts the offerings to the gods. To this day the Miwa sect of the Kamo clan claim to be descents from Ōtataneko , while Ikagashikoo was a claimed ancestor of the now extinct Mononobe clan.[3][12]
Four Cardinal Quarters (Shidō shogun)
In his 10th year of rule, Sujin instituted four of his Generals to the Four Cardinal Quarters in what would be known as the Shidō shogun. These areas (west, north/northwest, northeast, and east) were all centered around the capital in Yamato Province. Sujin instructed his generals (shogun) to quell those who would not submit to their rule.[3][10][13] One of the four shoguns who had been sent to the northern region was named Ōhiko (大彦), who was also Emperor Kōgen's first son. One day a certain maiden approached Ōhiko and sang him a cryptic song, only to disappear afterwards. Sujin's aunt Yamatototohimomoso-hime (倭迹迹日百襲媛命), who was skilled at clairvoyance, interpreted this to mean that Take-hani-yasu-hiko (Ōhiko's half brother) was plotting an insurrection. Yamatototohimomoso-hime pieced it together from overhearing news that Take-hani-yasu-hiko's wife (Ata-bime) came to Mount Amanokaguya (天香久山), and took a clump of earth in the corner of her neckerchief.[d]
Emperor Sujin gathered his generals in a meeting upon hearing the news, but the couple had already mustered troops to the west who were ready to attack the capital. The Emperor responded by sending an army under the command of general Isaseri-hiko no Mikoto to fight a battle that ended with a decisive Imperial victory. Ata-bime was killed in combat, and her husband fled back north.[3][10] Sujin then sent general Hiko-kuni-fuku (彦国葺命) north to Yamashiro Province to punish the rebel prince. There was ultimately an exchange of bowshots that resulted in Take-hani-yasu-hiko's death by an arrow through the chest.[3][10] Eventually the Emperor would appoint 137 governors for the provinces under his Imperial rule as the empire expanded.[14] In his 12th year of rule, the Emperor decreed that a census be taken of the populace "with grades of seniority, and the order of forced labour". The tax system meanwhile was set up so taxes imposed were in the form of mandatory labor. These taxes were known as yuhazu no mitsugi (弭調, "bow-end tax") for men and tanasue no mitsugi (手末調, "finger-end tax") for women. During this period peace and prosperity ensued, and the Emperor received the title Hatsu kuni shirasu sumeramikoto (御肇国天皇, "The Emperor, the august founder of the country").[3][10][15]
Choosing an heir and Divine treasures
During the 48th year of Sujin's reign (50 BC), he summoned two of his sons saying that he loved them equally and could not make up his mind which to make his heir. He then asked his sons to describe the dreams they had recently, so he could divine their lot by interpreting them. The elder son's name was Toyoki (豊城命), and explained to his father that he dreamt of climbing Mt. Mimoro (Mount Miwa). While facing east, he said that he thrust his spear eight times and then waved his sword eight times skywards. The younger prince, whose name was Ikume (活目命) dreamt of climbing Mimoro and spanning ropes on four sides. He went on to say how he chased the sparrows that ate the millet.[3][10] Sujin accordingly chose his younger son Ikume to become the next Crown prince, while his older son Toyoki was chosen to govern the east. Toyoki ultimately became the ancestor of the Kamitsuke and Shimotsuke clans.[3][10]
In the 60th year of Sujin's reign (38 BC), Sujin told his ministers that he wanted to look at divine treasures brought from the heavens by Takehinateru (建比良鳥命) which were housed in the
Later reign and death
Towards the end of his reign in (36 BC), both the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki records indicate that Sujin started to encourage the building of artificial ponds and canals. During this time, Yosami pond (依網池) was built near Ōyosami Shrine (大依羅神社) in Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka.[3][10][f] Sujin is also credited with building Sakaori pond (酒折池) which was said to be located in Karu (Kashihara, Nara).[16] During his alleged lifetime, Sujin fathered twelve children with a chief wife (empress) and two consorts. When he died in 30 BC, his son Prince Ikumeirihikoisachi became the next emperor per Sujin's choice. Sujin's actual burial site is unknown, but is said to be at Mount Miwa.
Historical figure
While Emperor Sujin is the first emperor whom historians state might have actually existed, he is not confirmed as an actual historical figure. Like his predecessors, his reign is disputed due to insufficient material available for further verification and study.[17] Sujin's possible lifespan has been suggested to be as early as the 1st century AD, to as late as the fourth century AD, this is well past his conventionally assigned reign of 97 BC – 30 BC. Like Emperor Kōshō, Emperor Kōrei, and Emperor Kaika, historian Louis Frédéric notes an idea in his book Japan Encyclopedia that Sujin could have lived in the 1st century (AD). This remains disputed though, especially among researchers who have been critical of his book.[18][19] If Sujin did in fact exist, then he may have been the founder of the Yamato dynasty.[20] Historian Richard Ponsonby-Fane suggests that Sujin may have been the first emperor to perform a census and establish and regularize a system of taxation.[9]
In either case (fictional or not), the name Sujin-tennō was assigned to him
Outside of the Kojiki, the reign of Emperor Kinmei[g] (c. 509 – 571 AD) is the first for which contemporary historiography is able to assign verifiable dates.[26] The conventionally accepted names and dates of the early Emperors were not confirmed as "traditional" though, until the reign of Emperor Kanmu[h] between 737 and 806 AD.[8] The lineal ancestor of the current reigning emperor can be traced back to Emperor Kōkaku, who lived a thousand years later.
Consorts and children
Empress: Mimaki-hime (御間城姫), Prince Ōhiko's daughter
- Third Son: Prince Ikumeirihikoisachi (活目入彦五十狭茅尊), later Emperor Suinin
- Prince Hikoisachi (彦五十狭茅命)
- Princess Kunikata-hime (国方姫命)
- Princess Chichitsukuyamato-hime (千千衝倭姫命)
- Prince Yamatohiko (倭彦命, d.57 BC)
- Princess Ika-hime (伊賀比売命)
Consort: Tootsuayumemaguwashi-hime (遠津年魚眼眼妙媛), Kii no Arakahatobe's daughter
- Prince Toyokiirihiko (豊城入彦命)[i] ancestor of Keno Clan (毛野君)
- Princess Toyosukiiri-hime (豊鍬入姫命), first Saiō
Consort: Owari-no-ōama-hime (尾張大海媛), Prince Tatehiroshinabi's daughter
- Prince Ōiriki (大入杵命), ancestor of Noto no kuni no Miyatsuko (能登国造)
- Prince Yasakairihiko (八坂入彦命)
- Princess Nunakiirihime (渟名城入媛命)
- Princess Toochiniirihime (十市瓊入媛命)
Family tree
See also
- Emperor of Japan
- List of Emperors of Japan
- Imperial cult
Notes
- ^ There are two ways this name is transcribed: "Ika-gashiko-me" is used by Tsutomu Ujiya, while "Ika-shiko-me" is used by William George Aston.[3]
- ^ Ikagashikome (Ika-shiko-me) became Emperor Kaika's empress, but before that she had been a concubine to the previous Emperor (Kōgen). It is recorded that she bore a child with Kōgen, which makes this problematic as in order to be Sujin's mother she would have had to give birth again separated by a 50-year gap.[8] Given her recorded age at the time, this scenario seems highly unlikely.
- ^ Historian Tsutomu Ujiya states that the location could have been in the vicinity of Kanaya (金屋), Sakurai, Nara[3]
- ^ Mount Amanokaguya is located in Kashihara, Nara.
- ^ Takenunakawawake (武渟川別) (General of the East), and Kibitsuhiko (吉備津彦命) (General of the West)
- Sakai, Osaka.[16]
- ^ The 29th Emperor[24][25]
- Yamato dynasty
- ^ The kami of Suijin's son, Toyoki-iri-hiko no mikoto, is venerated at Futarayama jinja in Utsunomiya, Shimotsuke Province.
- ^ There are two ways this name is transcribed: "Ika-gashiko-me" is used by Tsutomu Ujiya, while "Ika-shiko-me" is used by William George Aston.[57]
References
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- ^ ISBN 9780520034600.
- ^ Yoshida, Reiji (March 27, 2007). "Life in the Cloudy Imperial Fishbowl". The Japan Times. Archived from the original on 27 July 2020. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
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- ^ ISBN 9780524053478.
- ^ a b c Ponsonby-Fane, Richard (1959). The Imperial House of Japan. Ponsonby Memorial Society. pp. 31–32 & 418.
- ^ ISBN 9780524053478.
- ^ "Encyclopedia of Shinto詳細".
- Chamberlain, Basil. [SECT. LXV.—EMPEROR SŪ-JIN (PART III: STORY OF OHO-TATA-NE-KO'S BIRTH)] (The Kojiki). Read before the Asiatic Society of Japan on April 12, May 10, and June 21, 1882, reprinted in 1919. p. 219.
His Augustness Oho-tata-ne-ko ... was the ancestor of the Dukes of Miwa and of the Dukes of Kamo.
- . Read before the Asiatic Society of Japan on April 12, May 10, and June 21, 1882, reprinted in 1919. p. 220.
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- Chamberlain, Basil. [SECT. LXVII.—EMPEROR SŪ-JIN (PART V.—PEACE RESTORED AND TRIBUTE LEVIED).] (The Kojiki). Read before the Asiatic Society of Japan on April 12, May 10, and June 21, 1882, reprinted in 1919. p. 224.
His Augustness Oho-tata-ne-ko ... was the ancestor of the Dukes of Miwa and of the Dukes of Kamo.
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Posthumous names for the earthly Mikados were invented in the reign of Emperor Kanmu (782–805), i.e., after the date of the compilation of the Records and the Chronicles.
- ^ Brinkley, Francis (1911). . In Chisholm, Hugh (ed.). Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 15 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. pp. 252–273, see page 253, lines 7 and 8.
The reign of the 10th emperor, Sūjin, lasted from 98 to 30 B.C. During his era the land was troubled by pestilence and the people broke out in rebellion; calamities.......
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- ^ Titsingh, Isaac. (1834). Nihon Ōdai Ichiran (in French). Royal Asiatic Society, Oriental Translation Fund of Great Britain and Ireland. pp. 34–36.
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According to legend, the first Japanese Emperor was Jimmu. Along with the next 13 Emperors, Jimmu is not considered an actual, historical figure. Historically verifiable Emperors of Japan date from the early sixth century with Kimmei.
- ^ Philippi, Donald L. (2015). Kojiki. Princeton University Press. pp. 104–112.
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- ISBN 978-1-136-90376-2. Retrieved 2020-11-21.
- ^ Atsushi, Kadoya (21 April 2005). "Ōnamuchi". Encyclopedia of Shinto. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
- ^ a b The Emperor's Clans: The Way of the Descendants, Aogaki Publishing, 2018.
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- ^ Chamberlain (1882). Section XXIV.—The Wooing of the Deity-of-Eight-Thousand-Spears.
- ^ Tanigawa Ken'ichi 『日本の神々 神社と聖地 7 山陰』(新装復刊) 2000年 白水社 ISBN 978-4-560-02507-9
- ^ a b Kazuhiko, Nishioka (26 April 2005). "Isukeyorihime". Encyclopedia of Shinto. Archived from the original on 2023-03-21. Retrieved 2010-09-29.
- ^ a b 『神話の中のヒメたち もうひとつの古事記』p94-97「初代皇后は「神の御子」」
- ^ a b 日本人名大辞典+Plus, デジタル版. "日子八井命とは". コトバンク (in Japanese). Retrieved 2022-06-01.
- ^ JSTOR 26652947.
- ^ a b "Visit Kusakabeyoshimi Shrine on your trip to Takamori-machi or Japan". trips.klarna.com. Retrieved 2023-03-04.
- ^ ISBN 9780674017535.
- ^ a b c Ponsonby-Fane, Richard (1959). The Imperial House of Japan. Ponsonby Memorial Society. p. 29 & 418.
- ^ ISBN 9780520034600.
- ^ 『図説 歴代天皇紀』p42-43「綏靖天皇」
- ^ a b c d e Anston, p. 144 (Vol. 1)
- ISBN 978-0-520-91036-2.
- ^ Tenri Journal of Religion. Tenri University Press. 1968.
- ^ Takano, Tomoaki; Uchimura, Hiroaki (2006). History and Festivals of the Aso Shrine. Aso Shrine, Ichinomiya, Aso City.: Aso Shrine.
- ^ Anston, p. 143 (Vol. 1)
- ^ a b c d Anston, p. 144 (Vol. 1)
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- ^ ISBN 9780524053478.
- ^ a b c "Kuwashi Hime • . A History . . of Japan . 日本歴史". . A History . . of Japan . 日本歴史. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
- ^ a b c Anston, p. 149 (Vol. 1)
- ^ Louis-Frédéric, "Kibitsu-hiko no Mikoto" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 513.
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- ISBN 9780524053478.
- ^ a b c d Shimazu Norifumi (March 15, 2006). "Takeshiuchi no Sukune". eos.kokugakuin.ac.jp. Retrieved May 16, 2019.
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- ^ "Mimakihime • . A History . . of Japan . 日本歴史". . A History . . of Japan . 日本歴史. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
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- ^ "Sahobime • . A History . . of Japan . 日本歴史". . A History . . of Japan . 日本歴史. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
- ^ Toyo Bunko. 1974. p. 63. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
- ^ a b "Yasakairihime • . A History . . of Japan . 日本歴史". . A History . . of Japan . 日本歴史. Retrieved 2023-11-28.
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- ^ Toyo Bunko. 1974. pp. 63–64. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
- ^ "Saigū | 國學院大學デジタルミュージアム". web.archive.org. 2022-05-22. Retrieved 2023-11-29.
- ^ Brown Delmer et al. (1979). Gukanshō, p. 253; Varley, H. Paul. (1980). Jinnō Shōtōki, pp. 95-96; Titsingh, Isaac. (1834). Annales des empereurs du japon, p. 10.
- ISBN 9780824830359.
- ^ ISBN 9781930782013.
- ^ ISBN 9780415306539.
- ^ Aston, William George. (1998). Nihongi, p. 254–271.
- ^ a b Aston, William. (1998). Nihongi, Vol. 1, pp. 224–253.
- ^ 文也 (2019-05-26). "仲姫命とはどんな人?". 歴史好きブログ (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-01-19.
- ^ 日本人名大辞典+Plus, 朝日日本歴史人物事典,デジタル版. "仲姫命(なかつひめのみこと)とは? 意味や使い方". コトバンク (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-01-19.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Nunasoko Nakatsuhime • . A History . . of Japan . 日本歴史". . A History . . of Japan . 日本歴史. Retrieved 2023-11-18.
- ^ Aston, William. (1998). Nihongi, Vol. 1, pp. 254–271.
Further reading
(Nihongi / Nihon Shoki) →See under Nihon Shoki for fuller bibliography.
- English translation
- JHTI (2002). "Nihon Shoki". Japanese Historical Text Initiative (JHTI). UC Berkeley. Retrieved 2019-08-23., searchtext resource to retrieve kanbun text vs. English tr. (Aston) in blocs.
- Ujiya, Tsutomu (宇治谷孟) (1988). Nihon shoki (日本書紀). Vol. 上. Kodansha. ISBN 978-0-8021-5058-5., modern Japanese translation.
- OCLC 1882339. sacred texts
- Takeda, Yukichi (武田祐吉) (1977). Shintei Kojiki (新訂 古事記). Kadokawa. ISBN 4-04-400101-4., annotated Japanese.
(Secondary sources)
External links
- Imperial Household Agency (2004). "崇神天皇 (10)山邉道勾岡上陵(やまのべのみちのまがりのおかのえのみささぎ)". 天皇陵. Retrieved May 24, 2019.