Emperor Bidatsu of Japan
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Emperor Bidatsu (敏達天皇) (538-585) was the 30th imperial ruler of Japan. He was the second son of Emperor Kimmei by the Empress Iwahime, a daughter of the Emperor Senka. According to Nihonshoki his name was Nunakurafutotamashiki, supposingly this was his posthumous name as same as Bidatsu.
According to Nihonshoki, he had six consorts and twenty-four children. He was appointed crown prince by his father Kimmei; after Kimmei died, Bidatsu ascended to the throne within a few days. During his reign, he had two empresses. The first empress, Hirohime, died in the fifth year of his reign. To replace her, he elevated one of his consorts, Princess Nukatabe, to the rank of empress. Nukatabe was his half-sister by their father Kimmei. Later she ascended to the throne and today known as Empress Suiko.
He ruled during a tense period between the Soga and the Mononobe regarding acceptance of Buddhism in Japan. In external affairs, he sought to re-establish Japanese influence in Korea, but was largely unsuccessful; according to Nihonshoki, his court established relations with Baekje and Shilla.
Though he had many children, none of them would ever become emperor. He was succeeded first by one of his brothers, Yomei, then by another, Sushun, and then Nukatabe, his sister and wife, before his grandson Jomei eventually took the throne.
| Preceded by: Kimmei | Emperor of Japan 572-585 | Succeeded by: Yomei |