Emperor Itoku

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Emperor Itoku

Role / Field:

Fourth legendary Emperor of Japan, whose reign is recorded in early Japanese chronicles.

Born:

553 BC

Died:

477 BC

Century / Era:

-553s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Emperor Itoku (懿徳天皇, Itoku-tennō), also known as Ōyamatohikosukitomo no Mikoto (大倭日子鉏友命) was the fourth legendary Emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Very little is known about this emperor due to a lack of material available for further verification and study. Itoku is known as a "legendary emperor" among historians as his actual existence is disputed. Nothing exists in the Kojiki other than his name and genealogy. Itoku's reign allegedly began in 510 BC, he had one wife and two sons.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

After his death in 477 BC, his first son supposedly became the next emperor. In the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, only Itoku's name and genealogy were recorded. While the Japanese have traditionally accepted this sovereign's historical existence, no extant contemporary records have been discovered that confirm a view that this historical figure actually reigned. Itoku is believed to be the son of Emperor Annei, and his mother is believed to have been Nunasokonakatsu-hime. The latter of the two is allegedly the granddaughter of Kotoshironushi.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The Kojiki records that Itoku was the second or third son of Emperor Annei, but the surviving documents provide no basis for speculating why the elder brother or brothers were passed over for the throne. He is traditionally believed to have ruled from the palace of Migario-no-miya (軽之境岡宮; and in the Nihon Shoki as 軽曲峡宮) at Karu in what would come to be known as Yamato Province. At some point he married a woman named Amonotoyototsu-hime, and fathered two sons with her. Itoku's reign lasted from 510 BC until his death in 477 BC, his son then took the throne and would later be referred to as Emperor Kōshō. The existence of at least the first nine Emperors is disputed due to insufficient material available for further verification and study.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 553 BC: Birth of Emperor Itoku — Fourth legendary Emperor of Japan, whose reign is recorded in early Japanese chronicles.
2. 477 BC: Passing & Historical Legacy — Emperor Itoku passed away on -477, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Emperor Itoku

True or False: “The existence of the first nine Emperors of Japan is confirmed by contemporary historical records.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Historians dispute the existence of at least the first nine Emperors due to insufficient material available for verification.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Miltiades — Contemporary figure (Born in -554) (-554): Prominent Athenian general and statesman, best known for his role at the Battle of Marathon.
• Stesichorus — Contemporary figure (Died in -555) (-555): A prominent 6th-century BC Greek lyric poet, known for epic narrative in lyric meters.
• Zoroaster — Contemporary figure (Died in -551) (-551): Iranian prophet and spiritual founder of Zoroastrianism, author of the Gathas.
• Simonides of Ceos — Contemporary figure (Born in -556) (-556): Master Greek lyric poet, famed for simple style and witty observations.
• Zuo Qiuming — Contemporary figure (Born in -556) (-556): Influential Chinese historian and literary figure of the Spring and Autumn period.
• Darius the Great — Contemporary figure (Born in -550) (-550): Third King of Kings of the Achaemenid Empire, ruling at its territorial peak.
• Himilco — Contemporary figure (Born in -550) (-550): Pioneering Carthaginian explorer credited with reaching the northwestern shores of Europe.
• Emperor Suizei — Contemporary figure (Died in -548) (-548): Legendary second emperor of Japan, whose existence is disputed by modern historians.
• -553 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from -553
• -477 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from -477

Frequently Asked Questions about Emperor Itoku