Emperor Kimmei of Japan
| Kinmei | |
|---|---|
| Emperor of Japan | |
 |
|
| Reign | December 5, 539 – April 15, 571 |
| Predecessor | Senka |
| Successor | Bidatsu |
| Born | 509 |
| Died | April 15, 571 (aged 62) |
| Burial | Hinokuma no saki Ai no misasagi (Nara) |
| Issue |
Emperor Bidatsu Emperor Yōmei Emperor Sushun Empress Suiko |
| Father | Emperor Keitai |
| Mother | Tashiraka no Himemiko |
Emperor Kinmei (欽明天皇 Kinmei-tennō, 509–571) was the 29th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.
His reign is said to have spanned the years from 539 through 571. Kinmei is the first Japanese emperor for which contemporary historiography is able to assign verifiable dates.
Kinmei's contemporary title would not have been tennō, as most historians believe this title was not introduced until the reigns of Emperor Tenmu and Empress Jitō. Rather, it was presumably Sumeramikoto or Amenoshita Shiroshimesu Ōkimi (治天下大王), meaning "the great king who rules all under heaven." Alternatively, Kinmei might have been referred to as (ヤマト大王/大君) or the "Great King of Yamato."
Because of several chronological discrepancies in the account of Emperor Kinmei in the Nihon Shoki, some believe that his was actually ruling a rival court to that of Emperors Ankan and Senka. Nevertheless, according to the traditional account, it was not until the death of Emperor Kinmei's older brother Emperor Senka that he gained the throne.
According to this account, Emperor Senka died in 539 at the age of 73; and succession passed to the third son of Emperor Keitai. This Imperial Prince was the next youngest brother of Emperor Senka. He would come to be known as Emperor Kinmei. He established his court at Shikishima no Kanazashi Palace (磯城嶋金刺宮) in Yamato.
The emperor's chief counselors were:
Although the imperial court was not moved to the Asuka region of Japan until 592, Emperor Kinmei's rule is considered by some to be the beginning of the Asuka period of Yamato Japan, particularly by those who associate the Asuka period primarily with the introduction of Buddhism to Japan from Korea.
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