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"Keitai" is also the Japanese term for mobile/cell phones.

Emperor Keitai (継体天皇 Keitai Tennō) was the 26th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. He is believed to have ruled the country during the early 6th century CE.

Records on his life

His record is confusing as there are differences of his life according to Kojiki and Nihonshoki.

Kojiki puts his birth year at 485 and to have died on April 9, 527. Administrator note It writes that he was called Ōdo no Mikoto(袁本杼命).

On the other hand, Nihonshoki put his birth year at 450 and to have died on February 7, 531 or 534. Administrator note It writes that he was called Ōdo no Kimi(男大迹王) and Hikofuto no Mikoto(彦太尊).

Also the version Wo Ofu Ato-no-Hiko Fudo no Mikoto has been present.

He is recorded to have originally been King of Koshi Kingdom, a smaller tribal entity, apparently in northern parts of central Japan.

As Japan was not in existence yet in those days, and as even the entity known as Yamato state (if existed yet properly) was containing just a part of the country, most probably only areas in today central Japan, the position of emperor is anachronistic to assign to those days. Some modern reference works of history call Keitai just as King Ohoto of Koshi Kingdom.

Life and genealogy

He is said to have been not the son of the immediate previous emperor, but the great-great-great-grandson of Emperor Ōjin. According to documents he ascended to the throne when Emperor Buretsu died childless and did not appoint a successor; some historians doubt this genealogy and suppose a change of dynasties.

According to Kojiki and Nihonshoki, his father was Hikonushi no Kimi and his mother was Furihime. He was born in Echizen province. When Buretsu died, Kanamura recommended Keitai at his age of 58 as a possible heir to the throne. Keitai declared his ascension in Kusuba, in the northern part of Kawachi Province (present day Shijonawate, Osaka) and married a younger sister of Buretsu, Princess Tashiraga. It is supposed that his succession was not welcomed by everyone, and it took about 20 years for Keitai to enter Yamato province, near Kawachi and the political center of Japan at the time.

In Emperor Keitai's later years, 527 or 528, a rebellion led by Iwai occurred in Tsukushi province, Kyushu. Keitai went to Kyushu and put down the rebellion.

Among his sons, Emperor Ankan, Emperor Senka and Emperor Kimmei ascended to the throne.

Notes

1. Japanese dates correspond to the traditional lunisolar calendar used in Japan until 1873.

• Japanese emperors