| Emperor Yōmei 用明天皇 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great King of Yamato | |||||
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| Emperor of Japan | |||||
| Reign | 3 October 585 – 21 May 587 | ||||
| Predecessor | Bidatsu | ||||
| Successor | Sushun | ||||
| Born | 12 October 540 | ||||
| Died | 21 May 587(587-05-21) (aged 46) | ||||
| Burial | Kōchi no Shinaga no hara no misasagi (河内磯長原陵) (Osaka) | ||||
| Spouse | Princess Hashihito no Anahobe | ||||
| Issue among others... | Prince Shōtoku Princess Sukatehime | ||||
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| House | Imperial House of Japan | ||||
| Father | Emperor Kinmei | ||||
| Mother | Soga no Kitashihime | ||||
| Religion | Shinto | ||||
Emperor Yōmei (用明天皇,Yōmei-tennō; 12 October 540 – 21 May 587) was the 31stEmperor of Japan,[1] according to the traditionalorder of succession.[2]
Yōmei's reign spanned the years from585 until his death in 587.[3]
He was called Tachibana no Toyohi no Mikoto (橘豊日尊) in theKojiki. He was also referred to as Prince Ōe (大兄皇子,Ōe no Miko) and Prince Ikebe (池辺皇子,Ikebe no Miko) after the palace in which he lived. He acceded to the throne after the death of his half brother,Emperor Bidatsu.
The influential courtiers from Emperor Bidatsu's reign,Mononobe no Moriya, also known as Mononobe Yuge no Moriya no Muraji or as Ō-muraji Yuge no Moriya, andSoga no Umako no Sukune, both remained in their positions during the reign of Emperor Yōmei. Umako was the son of Soga Iname no Sukune, and therefore, he would have been one of Emperor Yōmei's cousins.
Yōmei's contemporary title would not have beentennō, as most historians believe this title was not introduced until the reigns ofEmperor Tenmu andEmpress Jitō. Rather, it was presumablySumeramikoto orAmenoshita Shiroshimesu Ōkimi (治天下大王), meaning "the great king who rules all under heaven". Alternatively, Yōmei might have been referred to asヤマト大王/大君 or the "Great King of Yamato".
Emperor Yōmei's reign lasted only two years; and he died at the age of 46 or 47.
Because of the brevity of his reign, Emperor Yōmei was not responsible for any radical changes in policy, but his support ofBuddhism created tension with supporters ofShinto who opposed its introduction. According toNihon Shoki, Emperor Yomei believed both in Buddhism and Shinto. Moriya, the most influential supporter of Shinto, conspired with Emperor Yōmei's brother, Prince Anahobe, and after Emperor Yomei's death they made an abortive attempt to seize the throne. Although Emperor Yōmei is reported to have died from illness, this incident and the brevity of his reign have led some to speculate that he was actually assassinated by Moriya and Prince Anahobe.
The actual site of Yōmei'sgrave is known.[1] The Emperor is traditionally venerated at amemorialShintoshrine (misasagi) at Osaka.
TheImperial Household Agency designates this location as Yōmei'smausoleum. It is formally namedKōchi no Shinaga no hara no misasagi.[7]
Emperor Yōmei was the fourth son ofEmperor Kinmei and his mother wasSoga no Kitashihime, a daughter ofSoga no Iname.[8]
In 586, Emperor Yōmei took his half-sister Princess Anahobe no Hashihito (穴穂部間人皇女,Anahobe no Hashihito no Himemiko), whose mother was another of Iname's daughters, Soga no Oane Hime, as his consort.Princess Hashihito no Anahobe bore him four sons.
Empress (Kōgō):Princess Hashihito no Anahobe (穴穂部間人皇女; d.622),Emperor Kinmei's daughter
Concubine (Hin): Soga no Ishikina (蘇我石寸名),Soga no Iname's daughter
Consort (Hi): Katsuragi Hiroko (葛城広子), Katsuragi no Atahe's daughter
Yomei had three Empresses and seven Imperial sons and daughters.[5]
| Regnal titles | ||
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| Preceded by | Emperor of Japan: Yōmei 585–587 | Succeeded by |
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| Yamato |
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| Nara |
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| Heian |
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| Kamakura |
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| Northern Court |
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| Muromachi |
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| Azuchi–Momoyama |
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| Edo |
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| Empire of Japan |
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| Japan |
Unless otherwise noted (as BC), years are inCE / AD *Imperial Consort andRegentEmpress Jingū is not traditionally listed. | ||||||||
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