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Emperor Jimmu facts for kids

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Jimmu
Emperor of Japan
Emperor-Jimmu cropped.jpg
Reign legendary
Successor Suizei
Born legendary
Died legendary
Burial Unebi-yama no ushitora no sumi no misasagi (Nara)

Emperor Jimmu (神武天皇, Jinmu-tennō) was the 1st emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Jimmu is known as the founder of the Imperial dynasty.

There are no certain dates for this emperor's life or reign. 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.

Traditional history

Jimmu is almost certainly a legend. His name and genealogy are recorded in the Kojiki and Nihonshoki. Jimmu is regarded as a direct descendant of the Shinto sun goddess, Amaterasu.

During reign of Emperor Jimmu, the capital of Japan was at Kashiwabara, Yamato at the foot of Mt. Unebi.

Events of Jimmu's life

Jimmu ascension ceremonies
Impression of Emperor Jimmu's accession ceremonies; Yamato Shrine insert -- circa 1920s

The absence of information about Jimmu does not mean that he did or did not exist. There is very little data about the rulers of Japan before the reign of Emperor Bidatsu

The traditional story is that Jimmu came from Kyushu to Yamato Province on the island of Honshu. The story explains that he followed a three legged crow. He established his reign at Kashihara near Osaka.

ROAD TO JINMU
The mausoleum of Emperor Jimmu in Nara Prefecture.

After his death

2600th year of Japanese Imperial Calendar stamp of 20sen
Stamp issued to commemorate 2600th year of Japanese Imperial dynasty -- 1940

This emperor's official name after his death (his posthumous name) was regularized many centuries after the lifetime which was ascribed to Jimmu.

The actual site of his grave is not known. According to the Imperial Household Agency, the emperor is venerated at a memorial Shinto shrine (misasagi) in Kashihara at Nara. The mausoleum is located a short distance from Kashihara Shrine.

National holiday

In 1872, the Meiji government declared that February 11, 660 BC was the exact date on which the reign of Jimmu began. This was identified as the start of the Japanese nation. This mythical date was commemorated as the holiday Kigensetsu ("Era Day"). This national holiday was celebrated from 1872 to 1948.

The Kigensetsu events in 1940 were special. They celebrated what was believed to be 2,600 years since the start of Emperor Jimmu's reign.

There has been a similar Japanese national holiday since February 11, 1966. It is called National Foundation Day (Kenkoku Kinen no hi).

Related pages

Mon-Imperial
The chrysanthemum symbol of the Japanese emperor and his family.
Preceded by
––
Legendary Emperor of Japan
Jimmu

660-585 BC
(traditional dates)
Succeeded by
Emperor Suizei


Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Jinmu Tennō para niños

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