Emperor Richū

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Emperor Richū (履中天皇 Richū Tennō) was the 17th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. No firm dates can be assigned to this emperor or to his reign, but he is believed to have ruled the country during the early 5th century CE.

According to Nihonshoki and Kojiki, he was the first son of Emperor Nintoku. He succumbed to disease in his sixth year of reign. His tomb is in Kawachi province, in the middle of present-day Osaka prefecture. He was succeeded by his younger brother Emperor Hanzei; none of his sons succeeded to the throne, although two grandsons (Emperor Kenzō and Emperor Ninken) did eventually become emperor.

Some scholars identify him with King San in the Book of Song. King San sent messengers to the Song Dynasty at least twice in 421 and 425, died before 438 and was succeeded by his younger brother.