Five kings of Wa
Encyclopedia
The five kings of Wa
(倭の五王) are kings of ancient Japan
who sent envoys to China
during the 5th century to strengthen the legitimacy of their claims to power by gaining the recognition of the Chinese emperor. Details about them are unknown. According to written records in China, their names were San (讃), Chin (珍), Sai (濟), Kō (興) and Bu (武).
479 and 502 was automatic rank up by the establishment of new dynasty of China.
These titles for the military Sovereignly over the countries had no actual powers. The appointments reflected the struggle for hegemony over the region between Goguryeo
and Wa, depicted in the Gwanggaeto Stele
.
and Eta Funayama Sword
also supports the idea that Bu is an equivalent of Emperor Yūryaku who was called Wakatakeru Okimi at his age.
Since Bu is most likely to be Yūryaku, Kō, who is said to be Bu's older brother, is likely to be an equivalent of Ankō who also noted in Nihonshoki as an elder brother to Yūryaku. However, Book of Song
records Kō as "Crown Prince Kō", there is a possibility that he is not Ankō, but is Prince Kinashi no Karu
, who was a crown prince of Ingyō.
Some suspect that they were rulers of a non-Yamato
court which in the 5th century ruled most of what is currently Japan, and who were eventually ruined by the ancestors of current imperial dynasty. However, such an idea is not widely accepted among scholars.
Wa (Japan)
Japanese is the oldest recorded name of Japan. Chinese, Korean, and Japanese scribes regularly wrote Wa or Yamato "Japan" with the Chinese character 倭 until the 8th century, when the Japanese found fault with it, replacing it with 和 "harmony, peace, balance".- Historical references :The earliest...
(倭の五王) are kings of ancient Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
who sent envoys to China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
during the 5th century to strengthen the legitimacy of their claims to power by gaining the recognition of the Chinese emperor. Details about them are unknown. According to written records in China, their names were San (讃), Chin (珍), Sai (濟), Kō (興) and Bu (武).
Chinese records and the bestowed titles on the kings of Wa
| Western calendar (AD) | Chinese dynasty Dynasties in Chinese history The following is a chronology of the dynasties in Chinese history.Chinese history is not as neat as is often described and it was rare for one dynasty to change peacefully into the next. Dynasties were often established before the overthrow of an existing regime, or continued for a time after they... | Chinese calendar Chinese calendar The Chinese calendar is a lunisolar calendar, incorporating elements of a lunar calendar with those of a solar calendar. It is not exclusive to China, but followed by many other Asian cultures as well... | King of Wa | Description | Original Chinese source Twenty-Four Histories The Twenty-Four Histories is a collection of Chinese historical books covering a period from 3000 BC to the Ming Dynasty in the 17th century. The whole set contains 3213 volumes and about 40 million words... |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 413 | Jin Dynasty (265–420) | 義熙 9 | Unknown, San in the Book of Liang Book of Liang The Book of Liang , was compiled under Yao Silian, completed in 635. The book heavily relied on his father, Yao Ca's original manuscript, as his comments were quoted in several chapters.... , 諸夷伝 | The king of Wa sent a tributary. | The Book of Jin Book of Jin The Book of Jin is one of the official Chinese historical works. It covers the history of Jin Dynasty from 265 to 420, which written by a number of officials commissioned by the court of Tang Dynasty, with the lead editor being the Prime Minister Fang Xuanling, drawing mostly from the official... , 安帝紀, Imperial Readings of the Taiping Era Imperial Readings of the Taiping Era The Imperial Readings of the Taiping Era is a massive encyclopedia compiled by a number of officers commissioned by the imperial court of the Song Dynasty with the lead editor being Li Fang from 977 to 983 during the era of Taiping Xingguo. It is divided into 1,000 volumes and 55 sections, which... | 421 | Liu Song Dynasty Liu Song Dynasty The Liu Song Dynasty , also known as Song Dynasty , Former Song , or Southern Song , was first of the four Southern Dynasties in China, succeeding the Eastern Jin Dynasty and followed by the Southern Qi Dynasty.... | 永初 2 | San | King San sent a tributary to Jin. Emperor Wu of Liu Song Emperor Wu of Liu Song Emperor Wu of Song , personal name Liu Yu , courtesy name Dexing , nickname Jinu , was the founding emperor of the Chinese dynasty Liu Song. He came from a humble background, but became prominent after leading a rebellion in 404 to overthrow Huan Xuan, who had usurped the Jin throne in 403... bestowed the title, possibly 安東将軍倭国王, on San. | The Book of Song Book of Song The Book of Song , also called "The History of the Song," is a historical text of the Liu Song Dynasty of the Southern Dynasties of China. It covers history from 420 to 479, and is one of the Twenty-Four Histories, a traditional collection of historical records. It was authored by Shen Yue from... , 倭国伝 |
| 425 | Liu Song Dynasty | 元嘉 2 | San | King San sent 司馬 Sōtatsu as an envoy and made Emperor Wen of Liu Song Emperor Wen of Liu Song Emperor Wen of Liu Song , personal name Liu Yilong , nickname Che'er , was an emperor of the Chinese dynasty Liu Song. He was the third son of the dynastic founder Emperor Wu . After his father's death in 422, Liu Yilong's eldest brother Liu Yifu took the throne as Emperor Shao... a present. | The Book of Song, 倭国伝 |
| 430 | Liu Song Dynasty | 元嘉 7 | Possibly San | In January, the king of Wa sent a tribute. | The Book of Song, 文帝紀 |
| 438 | Liu Song Dynasty | 元嘉 15 | Chin | King San died, his younger brother Chin succeeded to the throne. Chin sent a tribute and styled himself the title of 使持節都督倭百斉新羅任那秦韓慕韓六国諸軍事安東太将軍倭国王. In April, Emperor Wen appointed Chin to the title of 安東将軍倭国王. The emperor also appointed Wa Zui and other 13 subordinates of Chin to the titles of 平西征虜冠軍輔国将軍. | The Book of Song, 文帝紀 and 倭国伝 |
| 443 | Liu Song Dynasty | 元嘉 20 | Sai | Sai sent a tribute and was appointed to the title of 安東将軍倭国王. | The Book of Song, 倭国伝 |
| 451 | Jin | 元嘉 28 | Sai | King Sai was appointed to the title of 使持節都督倭新羅任那加羅秦韓慕韓六国諸軍事 as well as 安東将軍. In July, Sai was promoted to the title of 安東太将軍. 23 subordinates were also promoted. | The Book of Song, 文帝紀 and 倭国伝 |
| 460 | Liu Song Dynasty | 大明 4 | Possibly Sai | In December, the king of Wa sent a tribute. | |
| 462 | Liu Song Dynasty | 大明 6 | In March, Emperor Xiaowu of Liu Song Emperor Xiaowu of Liu Song Emperor Xiaowu of Liu Song , personal name Liu Jun , courtesy name Xiulong , nickname Daomin , was an emperor of the Chinese dynasty Liu Song. He was a son of Emperor Wen. After his older brother Liu Shao assassinated their father in 453 and took the throne, he rose in rebellion and overthrew Liu... appointed Kō, a prince of Sai to the title of 安東将軍倭国王. | The Book of Song, 孝武帝紀 and 倭国伝 | |
| 477 | Liu Song Dynasty | 昇明 1 | Bu | In November, the king of Wa sent a tribute. King Kō died, his younger brother Bu succeeded to the throne. Bu styled himself the title of 使持節都督倭百斉新羅任那加羅秦韓慕韓七国諸軍事安東太将軍倭国王. | The Book of Song, 順帝紀 and 倭国伝 |
| 478 | Liu Song Dynasty | 昇明 2 | Bu | Bu styled himself the title of 開府儀同三司 and petitioned the official appointment. Emperor Shun of Liu Song Emperor Shun of Liu Song Emperor Shun of Liu Song , personal name Liu Zhun , courtesy name Zhongmou , nickname Zhiguan , was an emperor of the Chinese dynasty Liu Song... appointed Bu to the title of 使持節都督倭新羅任那加羅秦韓慕韓六国諸軍事安東太将軍倭王. | The Book of Song, 順帝紀 and 倭国伝 |
| 479 | Southern Qi Southern Qi The Southern Qi Dynasty was the second of the Southern dynasties in China, followed by the Liang Dynasty. During its 23-year history, the dynasty was largely filled with instability, as after the death of the capable Emperor Gao and Emperor Wu, Emperor Wu's grandson Xiao Zhaoye was assassinated... | 建元 1 | Emperor Gao of Southern Qi Emperor Gao of Southern Qi Emperor Gao of Southern Qi , personal name Xiao Daocheng , courtesy name Shaobo , nickname Doujiang , was the founding emperor of the Chinese dynasty Southern Qi... promoted Bu to the title of 鎮東太将軍. | The Book of Qi Book of Qi The Book of Qi or Book of Southern Qi is a history of the Chinese dynasty Southern Qi covering the period from 479 to 502, and is one of the Twenty-Four Histories of Chinese history... , 倭国伝 | |
| 502 | Liang Dynasty Liang Dynasty The Liang Dynasty , also known as the Southern Liang Dynasty , was the third of the Southern dynasties in China and was followed by the Chen Dynasty... | 天監 1 | In April, Emperor Wu of Liang Emperor Wu of Liang Emperor Wu of Liang , personal name Xiao Yan , courtesy name Shuda , nickname Lian'er , was the founding emperor of the Chinese Liang Dynasty... promoted Bu to the title of 征東将軍. The title was possibly mistaken for the title of 征東太将軍. | The Book of Liang Book of Liang The Book of Liang , was compiled under Yao Silian, completed in 635. The book heavily relied on his father, Yao Ca's original manuscript, as his comments were quoted in several chapters.... , 武帝紀 |
479 and 502 was automatic rank up by the establishment of new dynasty of China.
These titles for the military Sovereignly over the countries had no actual powers. The appointments reflected the struggle for hegemony over the region between Goguryeo
Goguryeo
Goguryeo or Koguryŏ was an ancient Korean kingdom located in present day northern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula, southern Manchuria, and southern Russian Maritime province....
and Wa, depicted in the Gwanggaeto Stele
Gwanggaeto Stele
The stele of King Gwanggaeto of Goguryeo was erected in 414 by King Jangsu as a memorial to his deceased father. It is one of the major primary sources extant for the history of Goguryeo, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, and supplies invaluable historical detail on his reign as well as insights...
.
Comparison with the Japanese history book
As the name of kings recorded are very much different from the names of emperors in Nihonshoki, specifying which emperor was the one recorded in Chinese history is under longtime dispute unsolved for centuries. Most contemporary historians assign the five Japanese kings to the following emperors (two possibilities are identified for Kings San and Chin), mostly based on the individual features of their genealogies reported in the Chinese sources. On the other hand, archeological evidence, such as the inscriptions on the InariyamaInariyama Sword
The iron or was excavated at the Inariyama Kofun in 1968. Inariyama Kofun is located in Saitama Prefecture. In 1978, X-ray analysis revealed a gold-inlaid inscription that comprises more than 115 Chinese characters. This sword was described as the discovery of the century for the study of...
and Eta Funayama Sword
Eta Funayama Sword
in Japan is a 5th century ancient iron sword excavated from the Eta Funayama kofun in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan in 1873. The inscription on the blade shows the era of Emperor Yūryaku in the 5th century...
also supports the idea that Bu is an equivalent of Emperor Yūryaku who was called Wakatakeru Okimi at his age.
- San 讃 Emperor NintokuEmperor Nintokuwas the 16th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.No firm dates can be assigned to this emperor's life or reign, but he is conventionally considered to have reigned from 313–399.-Legendary narrative:...
or Emperor RichūEmperor Richuwas the 17th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.No firm dates can be assigned to this emperor's life or reign, but he is conventionally considered to have reigned from 400–405.-Legendary narrative :... - Chin 珍 Emperor HanzeiEmperor Hanzei, also known as Emperor Hanshō, was the 18th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.No firm dates can be assigned to this emperor's life or reign, but he is conventionally considered to have reigned from 406 to 410....
or Emperor Nintoku - Sai or Sei 濟 Emperor IngyōEmperor Ingyowas the 19th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.No firm dates can be assigned to this emperor's life or reign, but he is conventionally considered to have reigned from 411–453.-Legendary narrative:...
- Kō 興 Emperor AnkōEmperor Ankowas the 20th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.No firm dates can be assigned to this emperor's life or reign, but he is conventionally considered to have reigned from 453–456.-Legendary narrative:...
- Bu 武 Emperor YūryakuEmperor Yuryakuwas the 21st emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Yūryaku is remembered as a patron of sericulture.No firm dates can be assigned to this emperor's life or reign, but he is conventionally considered to have reigned from 456–479....
Since Bu is most likely to be Yūryaku, Kō, who is said to be Bu's older brother, is likely to be an equivalent of Ankō who also noted in Nihonshoki as an elder brother to Yūryaku. However, Book of Song
Book of Song
The Book of Song , also called "The History of the Song," is a historical text of the Liu Song Dynasty of the Southern Dynasties of China. It covers history from 420 to 479, and is one of the Twenty-Four Histories, a traditional collection of historical records. It was authored by Shen Yue from...
records Kō as "Crown Prince Kō", there is a possibility that he is not Ankō, but is Prince Kinashi no Karu
Prince Kinashi no Karu
was a Japanese prince. He was a son of Emperor Ingyō.Prince Kinashi no Karu, Princess Karu no Ōiratsume, Prince Anaho and Prince Ōhatsuse Wakatake were born as children of Emperor Ingyō and Oshisaka no Ōnakatsuhime no Mikoto...
, who was a crown prince of Ingyō.
Some suspect that they were rulers of a non-Yamato
Yamato Province
was a province of Japan, located in Kinai, corresponding to present-day Nara Prefecture in Honshū. It was also called . At first, the name was written with one different character , and for about ten years after 737, this was revised to use more desirable characters . The final revision was made in...
court which in the 5th century ruled most of what is currently Japan, and who were eventually ruined by the ancestors of current imperial dynasty. However, such an idea is not widely accepted among scholars.