hirohito

A Look at the Emperor of Japan - the institution, the history, the birthday

Japan's Imperial System stretches back of two thousand years. According to Japanese mythology, the emperor is descended from Jimmu, a semi-divine being whose grandmother was Amaterasu-Omikami, the Sun Goddess. Jimmu reigned in 600 B.C. However, there is little evidence to support this. Most scholars believe the Imperial system developed from the Yamato culture in central Japan around the 3rd century A.D. with Chinese influences.

The emperor was seen as the divine manifested in the flesh; a representative of the gods on earth. To oppose the emperor was to oppose Japan itself. This made it quite risky for any usurpers not of Imperial blood to try and take the throne.

The history of the Imperial Line is a rocky one filled with political intrigue, murder, war, and betrayal. Emperors had been manipulated by politically-saavy ministers and later by powerful warlords. Emperors had been imprisoned, driven off, exiled, forced to abdicate and used to further the careers and schemes of others.

Today's Imperial Palace is off-limits except on the Emperor's birthday and January 2nd when the Emperor gives a New Year's Address. Japan's Imperial System stretches back of two thousand years. According to Japanese mythology, the emperor is descended from Jimm... more

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