Emperor of Japan

The Emperor of Japan is the head of the Imperial Family of Japan. According to imperial doctrine the tenno (天王, てんおお one of the many names for the emperor) are the descendants of the sun god Ameterasu.

The Emperor of Japan is the only world leader who maintains the title of “emperor.”

The current emperor of Japan is Naruhito — the only remaining emperor on Earth — after is father Emperor Akihito allegedly abdicated the Chrysanthemum Throne on 1 May 2019. [1]

The Mythical Emperors of Japan

The Nihon Shiki remembers that Japan was founded by Emperor Jimmu in 660 BCE. Jimmu was the first descendent of the Japanese sun god, Amaterasu, and all subsequent Emperors of Japan are considered to be of the lineage from Ameterasu.

The reign of Emperor Jimmu is said to have begun 2684 years ago. [1] Modern historians generally regard this date as arbitrary, and recognize that the first emperor of Japan, and the eight that followed Jimmu, as being mythical. [1]

Japanese Emperors

The Imperial House of Japan is the oldest in the world, probably reaching back some 1700 years, into the late Kofun Period. Although traditional accounts push the time of the first emperors back much further.

The Emperor of Japan has verified origins to before the year 600. Originally the emperor was known by a number of names, such as yamato ookimi (written 大和大君 and phonetically やまと・おおきみ also大王 (おおきみ)) which means means literally “Yamato Great King”. “King of the Yamato” in English, the founding clan of ancient Japan.

Another term Wa-ō (倭王) is written with the characters for Wa (倭 — the kingdom of Wa) and ō (王 — lord, prince, or emperor) which in English we would say “King of Wa”. This term was used externally, when speaking with foreigners. The more formal version of this term is Wakoku-ō (倭国王 — with the Kanji “Wa Kingdom King”).

Another term Ame-no-shita shiroshimesu ōkimi or Sumera no mikoto (治天下⼤王 written phonetically as あめのした しろしめす おおきみ and ). This phrase means “Grand King who rules all under heaven”, and was used internally among the people.

These three names yamato ookimi (“Great King of Yamato”), waa-oo (“King of Wa”), and ame-no-shita shiroshimesu ookimi (“Great King who rules all under heaven”) were the names used in Chinese and Japanese sources dating to before the 7th century CE.

Today, in Japanese the current emperor on the throne will usually be referred to as Tennō Heika (天皇陛下, “Emperor Imperial Majesty”), Kinjō Heika (今上陛下, “Current Imperial Majesty”) or simply Tennō, an ancient name for the emperor of Japan.

Other terms in use historically for the emperor of Japan are kō (皇), tei (帝), ō (王) which all mean something akin to “prince”, “emperor”, or “lord”. You will also see the name tenshi (てんし) written as (天子) with the Kanji for “Heaven Child”, which we translate in to English as “Son of Heaven” usually.

History of the Japanese Emperors

The role of the emperor in Japan has oscillated between true imperial leader and a symbolic figurehead upholding ceremony and tradition. Since the establishment of the first shogunate in 1199 the Emperors of Japan have rarely taken the role of a leader in battle, unlike many Western monarchs. [1]

In this way, while the divine authority of the emperor was absolute, in practice there were others powers who wielded more direct authority. Military power and political powers, such as held by the shogun warlords.

List of Emperors

1. Emperor Jimmu
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4. a
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6. Emperor Sujin [148 – 30 BCE] The first emperor with a real possibility of being put on historical foundations.
7. Emperor Keiko
8. Emperor Ingyo [376 – 453 CE] Emperors from Keiko to Ingyo are considered as possibly factual.
9. Emperor Kinmei [c.509 – 571] The first emperor to whom contemporary historiography.