Emperor Yōmei

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Emperor Yōmei

Emperor Yōmei (用明天皇 Yōmei Tennnō) (died 587) was the 31st emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. He ruled from 585 until his death in 587.

He was called Tachibana no Toyohi no Mikoto (橘豊日尊) in the Nihonshoki. He was also referred to as Prince Ōe (大兄皇子 Ōe no Miko, literally crown prince) and Prince Ikebe (池辺皇子 Ikebe no Miko) after the place he lived. He acceded to the throne after the death of his half brother, Emperor Bidatsu.

Emperor Yōmei was the fourth prince of Emperor Kimmei and his mother was Soga no Kitashihime, a daughter of Soga no Iname. In 586, Emperor Yōmei took his half-sister Princess Hashihoto no Anahobe (穴穂部間人皇女, Hashihito no Anahobe no Himemiko), whose mother was another of Iname's daughters, as his consort. Princess Hashihito no Anahobe bore him five sons, including Prince Shotoku, who would later become crown prince and regent to Empress Suiko. In addition, the Nihon Shoki records that Emperor Yōmei also had three concubines.

The influential courtiers from Emperor Bidatsu's reign, Mononobe no Moriya and Soga no Umako, both remained in their positions during the reign of Emperor Yōmei. Umako was the son of Iname, and therefore Emperor Yōmei's cousin as well.

Because of the brevity of his reign, Emperor Yōmei wasn't responsible for any radical changes in policy, but his support of Buddhism created tension with supporters of Shintoism who opposed the introduction of Buddhism. Moriya, the most influential supporter of Shintoism, conspired with Emperor Yōmei's brother, Prince Anahobe, and after Emperor Yomei's death they made an abortive attempt to seize the throne. Although Emperor Yōmei is reported to have died from illness, this incident and the brevity of his reign have led some to speculate that he was actually assassinated by Moriya and Prince Anahobe.