Sengoku Daimyo

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Episode 68: Ōke the Elder

Joshua Badgley

Nineteenth century artist’s interpretation of Ōke, aka Ninken Tennō, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Interesting that, although he is the elder brother he almost looks younger than Woke, his younger brother (see Episode 67)

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This episode we are on to the next reign—that of Ōke, aka Ninken Tennō, the elder brother of Woke, aka Kenzō Tennō and Iitoyo Tennō. He was the eldest son of Prince (Sovereign?) Ichinobe.

While his brother, Woke, reigned only for a relatively limited time before he unfortunately passed away, Ōke is said to have reigned for ten years—a not insubstantial reign, to be honest. If you think about it, one generally assumes that each king is part of the next generation, and as such one would expect reigns to average around 20 years or so. However, in this case Ōke was the third—or fourth—reign in a single generation, considering that Shiraga, Iitoyo, Woke, and Ōke were all siblings or first cousins, rather than father and son.

Ancient “Capitals”

Prior to the creation of permanent, continental style capital cities—complete with grid-pattern roads and rectangular plots of land—the center of the Yamato court appears to have been the sovereign’s palace, which moved fairly regularly. Below is an attempt to plot the traditionally identified palaces from Jimmu to Buretsu. These are based on where Google places the traditional palace ruins.

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Akitame’s family situation

This is a bit complicated, but for those who are trying to follow, here you go:

  1. Funame married Hataye

  2. Funame gave birth to Nakume

  3. Nakume married Yamaki

  4. Nakume gave birth to Akitame

  5. Hataye died and Nakume died

  6. Funame married Yamaki

  7. Funame gave birth to Araki

  8. Araki married Akitame.

Attempt to depict the family relationships in Akitame’s family.

References

  • Ō, Yasumaro, & Heldt, G. (2014). The Kojiki: An account of ancient matters. ISBN978-0-231-16389-7.

  • Bentley, John. (2006). The Authenticity of Sendai Kuji Hongi: a New Examination of Texts, with a Translation and Commentary. ISBN-90-04-152253.

  • Chamberlain, B. H. (1981). The Kojiki: Records of ancient matters. Rutland, Vt: C.E. Tuttle Co.  ISBN4-8053-0794-3.

  • Aston, W. G. (1972). Nihongi, chronicles of Japan from the earliest times to A.D. 697. London: Allen & Unwin. ISBN0-80480984-4

  • Philippi, D. L. (1968). Kojiki. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press. ISBN4-13-087004-1