天皇 推古
Tennō Suiko was born in 554. She was the third daughter of Emperor Kinmei. Her mother was Soga no Iname's daughter, Soga no Kitashihime. Suiko was the younger sister of Emperor Yōmei. They had the same mother. Her personal name (her imina) was Mikekashiya-hime-no-mikoto, also called Toyomike-Kashikiya-hime-no-Mikoto.
Emperor Bidatsu died in 585 and his successor, Emperor Yômei, died shortly after. The throne passed to Emperor Sushun, but in 592 he was assassinated by his uncle, Soga no Umako. Thereupon, at the urging of the court officials, Empress Suiko consented to take the throne, becoming the first woman in Japanese history to hold the title of tenno.
Prince Shôtoku was appointed as heir apparent and, along with the high official Soga no Umako, took up the position of sessho (regent) and carried out the actual business of government. The machinery for handling state business was put into good order, the system of twelve capranks for the members of the bureaucracy was promulgated, and in 604 the so-called Seventeen Article Constitution was proclaimed, which set up a national state with the emperor at its head.
Thus at this time there was an increasing consciousness of Japan as a nation, which was reflected in relations with China. In 607 Ono no Imoko was sent as official envoy to the Sui state in China with the request that Japan and China deal with one another as equals. The increasing consciousness of national identity is also reflected in the compilation of works dealing with the history of Japan, in attacks on the state of Silla in Korea, and in the firm suppression of insubordination among government officials.
Empress Suiko was said to have been a woman of great grace and beauty, correct in conduct and of impeccable character.
Empress Suiko was a consort to her half-brother, Emperor Bidatsu, but after Bidatsu's first wife died she became his official consort and was given the title Ōkisaki (official consort of the emperor). She bore seven children.
Soga no Kitashihime (蘇我 堅塩媛) was a Japanese noblewoman and high lady, a daughter of Soga no Iname, a high-ranking official. She was a consort to Emperor Kinmei of Japan.
Emperor Bidatsu (敏達天皇) was the 30th emperor of Japan according to the traditional order of succession. The years of reign of Bidatsu start in 572 and end in 585. However, there are no certain dates for this emperor's life or reign.
