Emperor Kotoku

Emperor K?toku (???? K?toku Tenn?) (596?- October 10, 654){{an|Japanese_dates 1}} was the 36th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. He ruled from 645 to 654. His name in birth was Prince Karu. He enacted the Taika Reform Edicts.

Related Topics:
596? - October 10 - 654 - Imperial ruler - Japan - 645 - Taika Reform Edicts

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He was a descendant of Emperor Bidatsu. He was a son of Chinu no ōkimi (Prince Chinu) by Kibihime no ōkimi (Princess Kibihime). Empress K?gyoku was his elder sister from same parents. Chinu was a son of Prince Oshisaka hikohito no ōe whose father was the Emperor Bidatsu. He had at least three consorts including his Empress, Hashihito no Himemiko (Princess Hashihito), the daughter of Emperor Jomei and his sister Empress K?gyoku.

Related Topics:
Emperor Bidatsu - Empress K?gyoku - Emperor Jomei

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 645 he ascended to the throne two days after Prince Naka no ?e assassinated Soga no Emishi in the court of Kogyooku. Kogyoku abdicated in favor of his son and crown prince, Naka no ?e, but Naka no ?e insisted K?toku should ascend to the throne.

Related Topics:
Naka no ?e - Soga no Emishi

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

According to Nihonshoki he was of gentle personality and was favor in Buddhism. In 645 he created a new city in Naniwa province and moved the capital from Yamato province to this new city. The new capital had a sea port and was good for foreign trade and diplomatic activities. In 653 Kotoku sent an embassy to Sui dynasty, but not all ships could reach China because of wrecking.

Related Topics:
Nihonshoki - Buddhism - 645 - Naniwa province - Yamato province - Sui dynasty

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Naka no ?e held the rank of crown prince and was the de facto leader of the government. In 653 Naka no ?e proposed to move the capital again to Yamato province. Kotoku denied. Naka no ?e ignored the emperor's policy and moved to the former province. Many courtiers and loyals in the court including Empress Hashihito followed him. Kotoku was left in the palace. In the next year he died because of illness. After his death, Naka no ?e wouldn't ascend to the throne soon but his mother and the sister of Kotoku, the former Empress Kogyoku ascended to the throne under another name, Saimei.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~