This episode we look at Wohatsuse Wakasazaki, known to us as Buretsu (or Muretsu) Tennō (武烈天皇). Tradition holds he was only 10 when he came to the throne, but was he? We’ll tell the stories for now, but keep a critical ear to them. This is a particular turning point in the Chronicles, coming at the same time that we just lost the stories from the Kojiki.

Who’s Who

Wohatsuse Wakasazaki

The son, it is said, of Ōke, aka Ninken Tennō, and Kasuga no Ōiratsume, herself a daughter of Ōhatsuse Wakatake, aka Yūryaku Tennō, If that is his parentage, he likely was born between 482, when his father was brought to Yamato, and 494, when he had to have been born to be named Crown Prince.

There are later entries in the Nihon Shoki and other sources that would suggest he was born around 450—but that would have been around the time of Woasatsuma Wakugo no Sukune. There are definitely questions about this entry.

Heguri no Matori

Current Ōmi (大臣), Descendant (possibly the son or grandson) of Heguri no Dzuku no Sukune, previous Ōmi and son of the legendary Takeuchi no Sukune.

Shibi no Omi

A powerful courtier—either the son of Heguri no Matori no Ōmi or else an ancestor of the Heguri no Omi. The only thing that seems consistent is that he had a crush on the same girl that a soon-to-be-sovereign.

Kage Hime

The daughter of Mononobe no Arakahi. Arakahi was the son of Masara, son of Itabi, at least according to the Sendai Kuji Hongi. There, Arakahi was made Ōmuraji after 534, two reigns after Wakasazaki. He was the son of Masara no Ōmuraji, who was given that title during Wakasazaki’s reign. He in turn was the son of Itabi no Ōmuraji, who was appointed during the reign of Ōke, aka Ninken Tennō, and therefore likely the current Ōmuraji at the beginning of Wakasazaki’s reign. That would seem to have her at quite a young age at the start of Wakasazaki’s reign, but not impossibly so.

Ōtomo no Kanamura

Kanamura pops up in this reign. The last Otomo no Ōmuraji was Ōtomo no Muruya, who was tasked with assisting Shiraga, aka Seinei Tennō, in governing the land. There is an assumption that Kanamura is his descendant, but it isn’t clear, other than they are both of the same 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