Emperor Chūai

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Emperor Chūai (仲哀天皇, Chūai Tennō) was a Japanese monarch, the 14th emperor (tennō) of Japan to appear on the traditional list of emperors. Emperor Chūai is considered by most historians to be a legendary figure, and the name Chūai Tennō was assigned to him posthumously by later generations.

This does not necessarily imply that no such person existed, just that there is insufficient evidence to conclude that he existed or assign him to a particular period of history. If he did exist, there is no evidence to suggest that the title tennō was used during the time period to which his reign has been assigned. It is much more likely that he was a chieftain, or local king, and the polity he ruled would not have encompassed all, or even most, of Japan.

However, it is also claimed that he was the father of Emperor Ojin (who is generally accepted to have existed based on archaeological evidence) in the Kojiki, and so his legend may have been based on a living person. This historical person would likely have lived sometime in 4th century CE, meaning the dates assigned to Emperor Chūai are probably incorrect. According to the Kojiki and Nihonshoki, he was also a son of Prince Yamato Takeru, and therefore a grandson of Emperor Keikō, a Yamato monarch. Chuai's wife was Jingū.

According to these same legends, his wife was suddenly possessed by some unknown gods. The gods promised Emperor Chūai rich lands overseas. Chūai then looked to the sea, but he could see nothing and denounced his belief in the promises of the gods. The gods were enraged by this and declared that he would die and never receive the promised land. Instead they would go to his conceived but unborn son. The legend then states that Chūai died soon after and his widow, Jingū, conquered the promised land, which is conjectured to be part of modern day Korea. According to one version of the legend, Chūai's son was born three years after the death of Chūai, which lends further support to the notion that the stories surrounding him are based on myth rather than actual events.

Preceded by Emperor Seimu

Legendary Emperor of Japan 192-200

Succeeded by Empress Consort Jingū