Emperor Kōshō facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kōshō |
|
|---|---|
| Emperor of Japan | |
 |
|
| Reign | legendary |
| Predecessor | Itoku |
| Successor | Kōan |
| Born | legendary |
| Died | legendary |
| Burial | Wakigami no Hakata no yama no e no misasagi (Nara) |
Emperor Kōshō (孝昭天皇, Kōshō-tennō) was the 5th emperor of Japan. He is known from the traditional list of emperors. However, historians believe Emperor Kōshō was a legendary person. His name, Kōshō-tennō, was given to him much later.
We don't have exact dates for Emperor Kōshō's life or when he ruled. The names and order of the early emperors became "traditional" much later. This happened during the time of Emperor Kammu, who was the 50th ruler of the Yamato dynasty.
The old Japanese book Gukanshō says that Kōshō ruled from a palace called Ikekokoro-no-miya. This palace was in a place known as Waki-no-kami, which is now part of Yamato Province.
Emperor Kōshō's Story
Emperor Kōshō is almost certainly a legend. The ancient book Kojiki only mentions his name and family tree. Another old book, the Nihonshoki, lists Kōshō as one of the "eight undocumented monarchs" (欠史八代, Kesshi-hachidai). This means there isn't much information about them.
Emperor Kōshō was the oldest son of Emperor Itoku. The book Jinnō Shōtōki says his mother was Amanotoyototsu-hime. His grandmother on his mother's side was Okishimimi-no-kami.
What We Know About Kōshō
Even though we don't have much information, it doesn't mean Kōshō wasn't real. Very little is known about any Japanese emperor before the 29th ruler, Emperor Kimmei (who lived around 509–571 AD).
After Kōshō's Lifetime
The official name given to this emperor after his death is called a posthumous name. This name was made official many centuries after Kōshō was believed to have lived.
The exact place where Emperor Kōshō is buried is not known today. However, the Imperial Household Agency says that he is honored at a special Shinto shrine called a misasagi. This memorial shrine is located in Nara.
Related Pages
| Preceded by Emperor Itoku |
Legendary Emperor of Japan Kōshō 475-393 BC (traditional dates) |
Succeeded by Emperor Kōan |
