Emperor Nintoku facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Emperor Nintoku仁徳天皇 |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Woodblock print by Toyohara Chikanobu, 1886
|
|||||
| Emperor of Japan | |||||
| Reign | 313–399 (traditional) | ||||
| Predecessor | Ōjin | ||||
| Successor | Richū | ||||
| Born | Ohosazaki no Mikoto (大鷦鷯尊) 290 |
||||
| Died | 399 (aged 108–109) | ||||
| Burial | Mozu no Mimihara no naka no misasagi (百舌鳥耳原中陵) (Osaka) | ||||
| Spouse |
|
||||
| Issue among others... |
Emperor Richū | ||||
|
|||||
| House | Imperial House of Japan | ||||
| Father | Emperor Ōjin | ||||
| Mother | Nakatsu-hime | ||||
| Religion | Shinto | ||||
Emperor Nintoku (仁徳天皇, Nintoku-tennō) was the 16th Emperor of Japan. He is also known as Ohosazaki no Sumeramikoto (大鷦鷯天皇). People often call him the Saint Emperor (聖帝, Hijiri-no-mikado) because he was known for his kindness. His story comes from very old Japanese books.
Historians believe Emperor Nintoku was a real ruler. He likely lived in the early 5th century. However, the exact dates of his life and reign are not certain. Traditionally, it is said he ruled from 313 to 399 AD.
Contents
Stories About Emperor Nintoku
The Japanese people have always believed Emperor Nintoku was a real person. There is even a special burial mound, called a misasagi, kept for him today. Most of what we know about him comes from two ancient Japanese books. These are the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki. Together, they are known as the Kiki or "Japanese chronicles."
These old books contain a mix of legends, myths, and some historical facts. Over time, some of these stories might have become exaggerated. The Kiki says that Nintoku was born in 290 AD. His birth name was Ohosazaki no Mikoto (大鷦鷯尊). He was the fourth son of Emperor Ōjin.
Historical Information
Historians generally agree that Nintoku was a ruler in the early 5th century. However, they do not believe all the amazing things he supposedly did. The title "Emperor" (tennō) was probably not used during his time. Most historians think this title came much later.
Instead, Nintoku was likely called Sumeramikoto or Amenoshita Shiroshimesu Ōkimi (治天下大王). This means "the great king who rules all under heaven." He might also have been called the "Great King of Yamato." The name "Nintoku" itself was probably given to him centuries after he lived. This happened when the stories about the Yamato dynasty were written down.
The Nihon Shoki states that Nintoku ruled from 313 to 399 AD. However, these dates are probably not correct. One historian noted that if these dates were true, Nintoku would have been 312 years old! The first Japanese Emperor with dates that historians can confirm is Emperor Kinmei. He lived from about 509 to 571 AD.
Family of Emperor Nintoku
According to the Nihon Shoki, Emperor Nintoku was the fourth son of Emperor Ōjin. His mother was Nakatsuhime no Mikoto. She was a great-granddaughter of Emperor Keikō. Nintoku had several children who later became emperors. These included Emperor Richū, Emperor Hanzei, and Emperor Ingyō. His birth name was Ohosazaki no Mikoto (大鷦鷯尊).
Empresses and Consorts
- Empress (Kōgō): Princess Iwa (error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)). She was a poet and the daughter of Katsuragi no Sotsuhiko.
- First Son: Prince Ōenoizahowake (error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)), who later became Emperor Richū.
- Prince Suminoe no Nakatsu (error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)).
- Third Son: Prince Mizuhawake (error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)), who later became Emperor Hanzei.
- Fourth Son: Prince Oasatsuma Wakugo no Sukune (error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)), who later became Emperor Ingyō.
- Prince Sakoudo (error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)).
- Empress (Kōgō): Princess Yata (error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)). She was a daughter of Emperor Ōjin.
- Consort (Hi): Himuka no Kaminaga-hime (error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)). She was the daughter of Morokata no Kimi Ushimoroi.
- Prince Ookusaka (error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)).
- Princess Kusaka no Hatabi-hime (error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)). She married Emperor Yūryaku.
- Consort: Uji no Wakiiratsume (error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)). She was a daughter of Emperor Ōjin.
- Consort: Kuro-hime (error: {{nihongo}}: Japanese or romaji text required (help)). She was the daughter of Kibi no Amabe no Atai.
Emperor Nintoku's Burial Mound
The Daisen Kofun is the largest tomb in Japan. It is located in Sakai, Osaka. Many people believe this is where Emperor Nintoku was buried. However, the exact spot of his grave is not truly known.
The Nintoku-ryo tumulus is one of nearly 50 large burial mounds in the "Mozu Kofungun" group. It covers the largest area of any tomb in the world. It was built around the middle of the 5th century. It is thought that about 2,000 people worked on it every day for almost 16 years. This huge mound is 486 meters (about 1,594 feet) long. Its main mound is 35 meters (about 115 feet) high. This makes it twice as long as the base of the famous Great Pyramid of Pharaoh Khufu in Egypt.
The Imperial tomb of Nintoku's wife, Iwa-no hime no Mikoto, is said to be in Nara City. Both of these Imperial tombs are shaped like a keyhole. They are surrounded by a wide, water-filled moat.
These Imperial tombs are important cultural properties. They are protected and managed by the Imperial Household Agency (IHA). This government group is in charge of everything related to the Emperor and his family. The IHA sees these tombs as more than just places with old objects. They are sacred religious sites. The IHA believes these grave sites are like sanctuaries for the spirits of the Imperial family's ancestors.
Nintoku is honored at a special Shinto shrine in Osaka. This shrine is called a misasagi. The Imperial Household Agency officially calls this place his mausoleum. Its formal name is Mozu no Mimihara no naka no misasagi.
See also
- Emperor of Japan
- List of Emperors of Japan
- Imperial cult
- Five kings of Wa
- Ujigami Shrine
