Editing Emperor Nintoku

{{Short description|16th Emperor of Japan}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name           = Emperor Nintoku<br>{{nobold|{{lang|ja|仁徳天皇}}}}
| succession     = [[Emperor of Japan]]
| image          = Nintoku-tennō detail.jpg
| caption        = Woodblock print by [[Toyohara Chikanobu]], 1886
| reign          = 313–399 (traditional)<ref>{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110322210732/http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-about/genealogy/img/keizu-e.pdf|archivedate=March 22, 2011|url=http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-about/genealogy/img/keizu-e.pdf|title=Genealogy of the Emperors of Japan|work=Kunaicho.go.jp|access-date=February 5, 2022}}</ref>
| coronation     =
| cor-type       = Japan
| predecessor    = [[Emperor Ōjin|Ōjin]]
| successor      = [[Emperor Richū|Richū]]
| posthumous name = [[Posthumous name#Chinese-style (Han-style) shigō|Chinese-style ''shigō'']]:<br/>Emperor Nintoku ({{lang|ja|仁徳天皇}})<br/><br/>[[Posthumous name#Japanese-style shigō|Japanese-style ''shigō'']]:<br/>Ohosazaki no Sumeramikoto ({{lang|ja|大鷦鷯天皇}})
| spouses        = {{plainlist|
*[[Princess Iwa|Iwanohime-no-Mikoto]]
*[[Princess Yata]]}}
| issue          = [[Emperor Richū]]
| issue-link     = #Consorts and children
| issue-pipe     = among others...
| royal house    = [[Imperial House of Japan]]
| father         = [[Emperor Ōjin]]
| mother         = [[Nakatsuhime|Nakatsu-hime]]
| religion       = Shinto
| birth_name     = {{Nihongo|Ohosazaki no Mikoto|大鷦鷯尊}}
| birth_date     = 290<ref name="Henshall">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tmYYAgAAQBAJ&q=Nintoku+290&pg=PA487|title=Historical Dictionary of Japan to 1945|author=Kenneth Henshall|publisher=Scarecrow Press|year=2013|page=487|isbn=9780810878723}}</ref>
| birth_place    =
| death_date     = {{death year and age|399|290}}
| death_place    =
| burial_place   = {{Nihongo||百舌鳥耳原中陵|''Mozu no Mimihara no naka no misasagi''}} (Osaka)
|}}

{{Nihongo|'''Emperor Nintoku'''|仁徳天皇|Nintoku-tennō}}, also known as {{Nihongo||大鷦鷯天皇|''Ohosazaki no Sumeramikoto''}} was the 16th [[Emperor of Japan]], according to the traditional [[List of Emperors of Japan|order of succession]].<ref name="kunaicho">{{cite web|url=https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/ryobo/guide/016/index.html|title=仲哀天皇 (16)|work=[[Imperial Household Agency]] (Kunaichō)|language=ja|access-date=August 2, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Titsingh">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=18oNAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA22|title=''Annales des empereurs du japon''|author=Titsingh, Isaac.|publisher=Royal Asiatic Society, Oriental Translation Fund of Great Britain and Ireland|language=fr|year=1834|pages=22-24, 34–36|author-link=Isaac Titsingh}}</ref><ref name="Brown">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=w4f5FrmIJKIC&pg=PA261|title=A Translation and Study of the Gukanshō, an Interpretative History of Japan Written in 1219|author=[[Delmer Brown|Brown, Delmer M.]] and Ichirō Ishida|publisher=University of California Press|year=1979|pages=256-257, 261–262|isbn=9780520034600}}</ref> Due to his reputation for goodness derived from depictions in the [[Kojiki]] and [[Nihon Shoki]], he is sometimes referred to as the {{Nihongo|'''Saint Emperor'''|聖帝|Hijiri-no-mikado}}.

While his existence is generally accepted as fact, no firm dates can be assigned to Nintoku's life or reign. He is traditionally considered to have reigned from 313 to 399,<ref>[[Richard Ponsonby-Fane|Ponsonby-Fane, Richard]]. (1959). ''The Imperial House of Japan,'' p. 36.</ref> although these dates are doubted by scholars.<ref name=":0" />

==Legendary narrative==
The Japanese have traditionally accepted Nintoku's historical existence, and a mausoleum (''misasagi'') for Nintoku is currently maintained. The following information available is taken from the [[Pseudohistory|pseudo-historical]] ''[[Kojiki]]'' and ''[[Nihon Shoki]]'', which are collectively known as {{Nihongo|''Kiki''|記紀}} or ''Japanese chronicles''. These chronicles include legends and myths, as well as potential historical facts that have since been [[Tall tale|exaggerated and/or distorted]] over time. The ''Kiki'' states that Nintoku was born to Nakatsuhime no Mikoto (仲姫命) sometime in 290 AD, and was given the name {{Nihongo|Ohosazaki no Mikoto|大鷦鷯尊}}.<ref name="Henshall"/> According to the ''[[Nihon Shoki]]'', he was the fourth son of [[Emperor Ōjin]].<ref>Aston, William. (1998). ''Nihongi'', Vol. 1, pp. 254–271.</ref>

==Known information==
Nintoku is regarded by historians as a ruler during the early 5th century<ref>{{cite web |author=Kelly, Charles F. |title=Kofun Culture |url=http://www.t-net.ne.jp/~keally/kofun.html |access-date=February 5, 2022 |work=www.t-net.ne.jp}}</ref> whose existence is generally accepted as fact without attributing all of the things he allegedly accomplished.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Wetzler|first=Peter|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=g58BEAAAQBAJ&dq=historicity+of+Emperor+Jimmu&pg=PA101|title=Hirohito and War: Imperial Tradition and Military Decision Making in Prewar Japan|date=1998-02-01|publisher=University of Hawaii Press|isbn=978-0-8248-6285-5|pages=101|language=en}}</ref> Nintoku's contemporary title would not have been ''tennō'', as most historians believe this title was not introduced until the reigns of [[Emperor Tenmu]] and [[Empress Jitō]]. Rather, it was presumably {{Nihongo|''Sumeramikoto'' or ''Amenoshita Shiroshimesu Ōkimi''|治天下大王}}, meaning "the great king who rules all under heaven". Alternatively, Nintoku might have been referred to as {{Nihongo2|ヤマト大王/大君}} or the "Great King of Yamato". The name "Nintoku" also might have been regularized centuries after the lifetime ascribed to him, possibly during the time in which legends about the origins of the [[Imperial House of Japan|imperial dynasty]] were compiled as the chronicles known today as the ''[[Kojiki]]''.<ref name="aston109 & 272-300">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lJ5OAQAAIAAJ&q=Nintoku|title=Nihongi: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to A.D. 697, Volume 1|author=Aston, William George.|publisher=The Japan Society London|date=1896|page=109 & 272–300|author-link=William George Aston}}</ref><ref name="Brinkley">{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/ahistoryjapanes00kikugoog|title=''A History of the Japanese People from the Earliest Times to the end of the Meiji Era''|author=Brinkley, Frank|publisher=Encyclopaedia Britannica Company|year=1915|page=[https://archive.org/details/ahistoryjapanes00kikugoog/page/n33 21]|quote=Posthumous names for the earthly ''Mikados'' were invented in the reign of Emperor Kanmu (782–805), i.e., after the date of the compilation of the ''Records'' and the ''Chronicles.''|author-link=Francis Brinkley}}</ref>

Although the ''Nihon Shoki'' states that Nintoku ruled from 313 to 399, research suggests those dates are likely inaccurate.<ref name="parry1995">Parry, Richard Lloyd. [https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/japan-guards-the-Emperors-secrets-1581547.html  "Japan guards the Emperors' secrets; Ban on digs in ancient imperial tombs frustrates archaeologists"], ''The Independent'' (London). 12 November 1995.</ref> [[William George Aston]] notes that if they were factual, Nintoku would be 312 years old in his 78th year of reign assuming that the traditional accounts are correct.<ref name="aston295">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lJ5OAQAAIAAJ&q=Nintoku|title=Nihongi: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to A.D. 697, Volume 1|author=Aston, William George.|publisher=The Japan Society London|date=1896|page=295|author-link=William George Aston}}</ref> Outside of the ''Kiki'', the reign of [[Emperor Kinmei]]{{efn|The 29th Emperor<ref name="Titsingh"/><ref name="Brown"/>}} ({{circa|509}}&nbsp;– 571 AD) is the first for which contemporary historiography has been able to assign verifiable dates.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=axRyAAAAMAAJ&q=According+to+legend%2C+the+first+Japanese+Emperor+was+Jimmu.+Along+with+the+next+13+Emperors%2C+Jimmu+is+not+considered+an+actual%2C+historical+figure.+Historically+verifiable+Emperors+of+Japan+date+from+the+early+sixth+century+with+Kimmei.|title=''Japanese Politics: Fixed and Floating Worlds''|author=Hoye, Timothy.|publisher=Prentice Hall|year=1999|page=78|quote=According to legend, the first Japanese Emperor was Jimmu. Along with the next 13 Emperors, Jimmu is not considered an actual, historical figure. Historically verifiable Emperors of Japan date from the early sixth century with Kimmei.|isbn=9780132712897}}</ref> The conventionally accepted names and dates of the early Emperors were not confirmed as "traditional" though, until the reign of [[Emperor Kanmu]]{{efn|Kanmu was the 50th sovereign of the imperial dynasty}} between 737 and 806 AD.<ref name="aston109 & 272-300"/>

Hidehiro Okada identifies him with [[Dei of Wa]],<ref>岡田, 2008</ref> a king who preceded the better known [[Five kings of Wa]].<ref name=":12">{{Cite journal |last=Kishimoto |first=Naofumi |date=2013-05-01 |title=Dual Kingship in the Kofun Period as Seen from the Keyhole Tombs |journal=Journal of Urban Culture Research|s2cid=193255655 }}</ref>{{rp||pages=11}}

==Consorts and children==
According to the ''[[Nihon Shoki]]'', he was the fourth son of [[Emperor Ōjin]] and his mother was Nakatsuhime no Mikoto (仲姫命), a great-granddaughter of [[Emperor Keikō]]. He was also the father of Emperors [[Emperor Richū|Richū]], [[Emperor Hanzei|Hanzei]], and [[Emperor Ingyō|Ingyō]]. His name was {{Nihongo|Ohosazaki no Mikoto|大鷦鷯尊}}.

Empress (''[[Kōkyū|Kōgō]]''): {{Nihongo|[[Princess Iwa]]|磐之媛命}}, poet and daughter of {{Nihongo|Katsuragi no Sotsuhiko|葛城襲津彦}} (first)
*First Son: {{Nihongo|Prince Ōenoizahowake|大兄去来穂別尊}}, later [[Emperor Richū]]
*{{Nihongo|Prince Suminoe no Nakatsu|住吉仲皇子|extra=d.399}}
*Third Son: {{Nihongo|Prince Mizuhawake|瑞歯別尊}}, later [[Emperor Hanzei]]
*Fourth Son: {{Nihongo|Prince Oasatsuma Wakugo no Sukune|雄朝津間稚子宿禰尊}}, later [[Emperor Ingyō]]
*{{Nihongo|Prince Sakoudo|酒人王}}

Empress (''[[Kōkyū|Kōgō]]''): {{Nihongo|[[Princess Yata]]|八田皇女}}, [[Emperor Ōjin]]'s daughter (second)

Consort (''[[Kōkyū|Hi]]'') : {{Nihongo|Himuka no Kaminaga-hime|日向髪長媛}}, Morokata no Kimi Ushimoroi's daughter
*{{Nihongo|{{ill|Prince Ookusaka|ja|大草香皇子|vertical-align=sup}}|大草香皇子|extra=d.454}}
*{{Nihongo|[[Kusaka no Hatabi no hime|Princess Kusaka no hatabi-hime]]|草香幡梭姫皇女}}, married to [[Emperor Yūryaku]]

Consort: {{Nihongo|Uji no Wakiiratsume|宇遅之若郎女}}, daughter of [[Emperor Ōjin]]

Consort: {{Nihongo|Kuro-hime|黒日売}}, daughter of {{Nihongo|Kibi no Amabe no Atai|吉備海部直}}

== Nintoku's tomb ==
[[File:NintokuTomb Aerial photograph 2007.jpg|thumb|right|Daisen-Kofun, the tomb of Emperor Nintoku, Osaka]]

[[Daisen Kofun]] (the largest [[tomb]] in Japan) in [[Sakai, Osaka]], is considered to be his final resting place. The actual site of Nintoku's [[grave (burial)|grave]] is not known.<ref name="kunaicho"/>

The Nintoku-ryo tumulus is one of almost 50 tumuli collectively known as "Mozu Kofungun" clustered around the city, and covers the largest area of any tomb in the world. Built in the middle of the 5th century by an estimated 2,000 men working daily for almost 16 years, the Nintoku tumulus, at 486 meters long and with a mound 35 meters high, is twice as long as the base of the famous Great Pyramid of Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops) in Giza.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/travel/280862/where-Emperors-sleep-japan-s-keyhole-shaped-burial-mounds/story/?|title=Where Emperors sleep: Japan's keyhole-shaped burial mounds|last=Merueñas|first=Mark|work=GMA News Online|access-date=2017-09-20|language=en-US}}</ref>

The Imperial tomb of Nintoku's consort, [[Empress Iwa-no hime|Iwa-no hime no Mikoto]], is said to be located in Saki-cho, [[Nara City]].<ref>[http://narashikanko.jp/english/aria_map/map_pdf/302.pdf Iwa-no hime no Mikoto's ''misasagi'' -- map (upper right)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207003146/http://narashikanko.jp/english/aria_map/map_pdf/302.pdf |date=2012-02-07 }}</ref> Both ''[[kofun]]''-type Imperial tombs are characterized by a keyhole-shaped island located within a wide, water-filled [[moat]].
Imperial tombs and [[mausolea]] are [[cultural properties]]; but they are guarded and administered by the [[Imperial Household Agency]] ([[Imperial Household Agency|IHA]]), which is the government department responsible for all matters relating to the Emperor and his family. According to the IHA, the tombs are more than a mere repository for historical [[artifact (archaeology)|artifact]]s; they are sacred religious sites.  IHA construes each of the Imperial grave sites as [[sanctuaries]] for the spirits of the ancestors of the Imperial House.<ref name="parry1995"/>

Nintoku is traditionally venerated at a [[memorial]] [[Shinto]] [[shrine]] (''misasagi'') at [[Osaka]]. The [[Imperial Household Agency]] designates this location as his [[mausoleum]].  It is formally named ''Mozu no Mimihara no naka no misasagi''.<ref>Ponsonby-Fane, p. 419.</ref>

==See also==
* [[Emperor of Japan]]
* [[List of Emperors of Japan]]
* [[Imperial cult]]
* [[Five kings of Wa]]
* [[Ujigami Shrine]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* [[William George Aston|Aston, William George.]] (1896). [https://books.google.com/books?id=_oEfAAAAYAAJ  ''Nihongi: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to A.D. 697.''] London: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner.  {{OCLC|448337491}}
* [[Delmer Brown|Brown, Delmer M.]] and Ichirō Ishida. (1979). [https://books.google.com/books?id=w4f5FrmIJKIC&q=Gukansho  ''Gukanshō: The Future and the Past.''] Berkeley: University of California Press. {{ISBN|978-0-520-03460-0}};  {{OCLC|251325323}}
* [[Richard Ponsonby-Fane|Ponsonby-Fane, Richard Arthur Brabazon]]. (1959). [https://books.google.com/books?id=SLAeAAAAMAAJ&q=The+Imperial+House+of+Japan  ''The Imperial House of Japan.''] Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society. {{OCLC|194887}}
* [[Isaac Titsingh|Titsingh, Isaac.]] (1834). ''[[Nihon Ōdai Ichiran]]''; ou, [https://books.google.com/books?id=18oNAAAAIAAJ&q=nipon+o+dai+itsi+ran  ''Annales des empereurs du Japon.'']  Paris: Royal Asiatic Society, Oriental Translation Fund of Great Britain and Ireland.  {{OCLC|5850691}}
* [[H. Paul Varley|Varley, H. Paul.]] (1980). [https://books.google.com/books?id=tVv6OAAACAAJ ''Jinnō Shōtōki: A Chronicle of Gods and Sovereigns.''] New York: Columbia University Press. {{ISBN|978-0-231-04940-5}};  {{OCLC|59145842}}

{{Commons category|Emperor Nintoku}}
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{{s-reg}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Emperor Ōjin]]}} 
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of Emperors of Japan|Emperor of Japan]]:<br />Nintoku|years=313–399<br />''(traditional dates)''}} 
{{s-aft|after=[[Emperor Richū|Emperor&nbsp;Richū]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Emperors of Japan}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nintoku}}
[[Category:Emperors of Japan]]
[[Category:People of Kofun-period Japan]]
[[Category:4th-century Japanese monarchs]]
[[Category:Year of birth unknown]]
[[Category:Year of death unknown]]
[[Category:Longevity myths]]