Emperor Kōrei

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Emperor Kōrei

Role / Field:

Legendary seventh emperor of Japan, whose existence is disputed by modern historians.

Born:

341 BC

Died:

214 BC

Century / Era:

-341s Historical Era

Database Source:

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

Origins & Early Life

Emperor Kōrei (孝霊天皇, Kōrei-tennō), also known as Ōyamatonekohikofutoni no Mikoto (大倭根子日子賦斗邇命) was the seventh 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. Kōrei 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. Kōrei's reign allegedly began in 290 BC.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He had one wife and three consorts with whom he fathered seven children. After his death in 215 BC, one of his sons supposedly became the next emperor. Kōrei is traditionally accepted as the first emperor of the Yayoi period, which is named after the Yayoi people who migrated to the Japanese archipelago from mainland Asia. In the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, only his name and genealogy were recorded. The Japanese have traditionally accepted this sovereign's historical existence, and an Imperial misasagi or tomb for Kōrei is currently maintained; however, no extant contemporary records have been discovered that confirm a view that this historical figure actually reigned.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Kōrei was born in 342 BC and is believed to be the eldest son of Emperor Kōan. His mother is believed to have been Oshihime, who was the daughter of Ametarashihiko-Kunio-shihito-no-mikoto. Kōrei's pre-ascension name was Prince O-Yamato-Neko Hiko-futo-ni no Mikoto, and the Kojiki records that he ruled from the palace of Kuroda-noi-odo-no-miya (黒田廬戸宮) at Kuroda in what would come to be known as Yamato Province. It is noted in the Kojiki that sometime during Kōrei's reign, Kibi was conquered by the emperor. Kōrei was the first emperor since Jimmu to take on consorts, and fathered seven children with them along with his chief wife Empress: Kuwashi-hime.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 341 BC: Birth of Emperor Kōrei — Legendary seventh emperor of Japan, whose existence is disputed by modern historians.
2. 214 BC: Passing & Historical Legacy — Emperor Kōrei passed away on -214, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Emperor Kōrei

True or False: “The Kojiki provides contemporary records confirming Emperor Kōrei's actual reign dates and activities.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The Kojiki only records his name and genealogy; no extant contemporary records confirm that he actually reigned.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Chandragupta Maurya — Contemporary figure (Born in -340) (-340): Founder of the Maurya Empire, establishing the first great imperial power in India.
• Menander — Contemporary figure (Born in -340) (-340): Master of Athenian New Comedy, Menander wrote 108 influential Greek comedies.
• Nectanebo II — Contemporary figure (Died in -343) (-343): The final native pharaoh of ancient Egypt, ruling during the Thirtieth Dynasty.
• Qu Yuan — Contemporary figure (Born in -343) (-343): Poet and political figure of the State of Chu during the tumultuous Warring States period.
• Artaxerxes III — Contemporary figure (Died in -338) (-338): Achaemenid King who secured Egypt and faced rising Macedonian power.
• Isocrates — Contemporary figure (Died in -338) (-338): Influential ancient Greek rhetorician and educator, proponent of Panhellenism.
• Archytas — Contemporary figure (Died in -345) (-345): Pioneering Greek philosopher, mathematician, and statesman from Taras (Tarentum).
• Shen Buhai — Contemporary figure (Died in -337) (-337): Influential Chinese statesman and reformer during the late Warring States period.
• Attalus (general) — Contemporary figure (Died in -336) (-336): Key Macedonian general and courtier serving Philip II of Macedon.
• -341 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from -341
• -214 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from -214

Frequently Asked Questions about Emperor Kōrei