Background

Emperor Seimu Wws born in 84. Fourth son of Emperor Keiko. His mother was Yasakairihime-no-Mikoto.

Career

Seimu is regarded by historians as a legendary emperor who might have been real. Little is known about him.

The reign of Emperor Kinmei (c. 509 - 571), the 29th emperor, is the first for which contemporary historiography is able to assign verifiable dates.

The name Seimu Tennō was assigned to him posthumously by later generations. If Seimu did exist, there is no evidence to suggest that the title tennō was used during the time period to which his reign has been assigned. It is much more likely that he was a chieftain, or local clan leader, and the polity he ruled would have only encompassed a small portion of modern-day Japan.

Ascended the throne in 131 and lived in the Takaanaho Palace (Shiga Prefecture). He determined boundaries of provinces and appointed a Kuni-no-Miyatsuko, or governor, in each province and Agabanuslii, or county head, in each county. He reigned more than 59 years.

Connections

Father:

Emperor Keikō

Mother:

Yasakairihime