Empress Suiko

Quick Facts: Who was Empress Suiko?

Subject:

Empress Suiko

Known for:

Japan's first and longest-reigning empress regnant, pivotal to early Japanese statecraft.

Born:

554-05-21

Died:

628-04-15

Century / Era:

554s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Empress Suiko (推古天皇, Suiko-tennō) (554 – 15 April 628) was the 33rd monarch of Japan, and the country's first and longest-reigning empress regnant, according to the traditional order of succession. Suiko reigned from 593 until her death in 628. Before her ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, her personal name (her imina) was Mikekashiya-hime-no-mikoto, also Toyomike Kashikiya hime no Mikoto. Empress Suiko had several names including Princess Nukatabe and (possibly posthumously) Toyomike Kashikiya. She was a daughter of Emperor Kinmei.

Career & Major Achievements

Her mother was Soga no Iname's daughter, Soga no Kitashihime. Suiko was the younger sister of Emperor Yōmei. 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). After Bidatsu's death, Suiko's brother, Emperor Yōmei, came to power for about two years before dying of illness. Upon Yōmei's death, another power struggle arose between the Soga clan and the Mononobe clan, with the Sogas supporting Prince Hatsusebe and the Mononobes supporting Prince Anahobe.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The Sogas prevailed once again and Prince Hatsusebe acceded to the throne as Emperor Sushun in 587. However, Sushun began to resent the power of Soga no Umako, the head of the Soga clan, and Umako, perhaps out of fear that Sushun might strike first, had him assassinated by Yamatoaya no Ataikoma (東漢直駒) in 592. When asked to accede to the throne to fill the power vacuum that subsequently developed, Suiko became the first of what would be several examples in Japanese history where a woman was chosen to accede to the throne to avert a power struggle. 593: In the 2nd year of Sushun-tennō's reign (崇峻天皇二年), he died; and contemporary scholars then construed that the succession (senso) was received by the consort of former Emperor Bidatsu. Shortly thereafter, Empress Suiko is said to have ascended to the throne (sokui).

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 554 (0554-05-21): Birth of Empress Suiko — Japan's first and longest-reigning empress regnant, pivotal to early Japanese statecraft.
2. 628 (0628-04-15): Passing & Historical Legacy — Empress Suiko passed away on 0628-04-15, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Notable Quotes by Empress Suiko

“Of late years the five grains have not produced well, and there is great famine among the people. Let there be therefore no costly interment by raising for me a misasagi, but let me be buried in the misasagi of the Imperial Prince Takeda.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Empress Suiko

True or False: “Empress Suiko's reign was solely focused on religious matters, leading to the establishment of Buddhism as a state religion.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While she was instrumental in recognizing Buddhism with the Flourishing Three Treasures Edict, her reign also saw major political and administrative reforms like the adoption of the Twelve Level Cap and Rank System.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Empress Suiko