Empress Suiko
Empress Suiko (推古天皇, Suiko-tennō) (554–628) was the 33rd Emperor of Japan,[1] according to the traditional order of succession.[2] Her reign started in 593 and ended in 628.[3] Historians consider details about the life of Empress Suiko to be possibly legendary, but probable.[4] The name Suiko-tennō was created for her posthumously by later generations.
| Suiko | |
|---|---|
| Empress of Japan | |
 | |
| Reign | 593–15 April 628 |
| Predecessor | Sushun |
| Successor | Jomei |
| Born | 554 |
| Died | 628 |
| Burial | Shinaga no Yamada no misasagi (Osaka) |
The conventionally accepted names and sequence of the early emperors were not to be confirmed as "traditional" until the reign of Emperor Kammu, who was the 50th monarch of the Yamato dynasty.[5]
In the history of Japan, Suiko was the first of eight women to be empress. The seven others were: (a) Kōgyoku/Saimei, (b) Jitō, (c) Gemmei, (d) Genshō, (e) Kōken/Shōtoku, (f) Meishō, and (g) Go-Sakuramachi.
Traditional history
Suiko was the third daughter of Emperor Kimmei. She was the half-sister of Emperor Yōmei and Emperor Sushun.
Suiko was also a wife of Emperor Bidatsu.
Events of Suiko's life
When Suiko became empress, she ended a power struggle for the throne after the deaths of emperors who were her brothers.
- 593 : In the 2nd year of Emperor Sushun's reign, he died. The next monarch was his half-sister who became known as Empress Suiko.[6] This succession was confirmed in ceremonies.[7]
Prince Shōtoku was the most important man in Suko's court.
In 599, an earthquake destroyed buildings in Yamato province which is now known as Nara Prefecture.[8]
The reign of this empress was marked by the opening of relations with the Sui court in 600.
The use of the Sexegenary cycle calendar (Jikkan Jūnishi) in Japan is credited to Empress Suiko in 604.[9]
- 604: In the 12 year of Suiko's reign (the Suiko period), Japan organized its earliest Imperial calendar.[10]
Suiko ruled for 35 years. She abdicated in 628.[11]
After her death
Suiko died in 628.[11] This empress' official name after her death (her posthumous name) was regularized only after death. Her reign name means "to reason from antiquity."[12]
The actual site of Suiko's grave is known.[1] This empress is traditionally venerated at a memorial Shinto shrine (misasagi) at Osaka.[1]
The Imperial Household Agency designates this location as Suiko's mausoleum. It is formally named Shinaga no Yamada no misasagi.[13]
Related pages
References
Other websites
Media related to Empress Suiko at Wikimedia Commons
| Preceded by Emperor Sushun | Empress of Japan Suiko 593-628 | Succeeded by Emperor Jomei |
