Traditional Narrative
Bidatsu was called Nunakura no Futotamashiki (渟中倉太珠敷?) in the Nihonshoki.
Bidatstu was appointed crown prince by his father Emperor Kimmei; after Emperor Kimmei died, the new monarch ascended to the throne within a few days.
- 572: In the 32nd year of Kimmei-tennō 's reign (欽明天皇32年?), the old emperor died, and the succession (‘‘senso’’) was received by his second son. Shortly thereafter, Emperor Bidatsu is said to have acceded to the throne (‘‘sokui’’).
Bidatsu's contemporary title would not have been tennō, as most historians believe this title was not introduced until the reigns of Emperor Tenmu and Empress Jitō. Rather, it was presumably Sumeramikoto or Amenoshita Shiroshimesu Ōkimi (治天下大王), meaning "the great king who rules all under heaven." Alternatively, Bidatsu might have been referred to as (ヤマト大王/大君) or the "Great King of Yamato."
He ruled during a tense period between the Soga and Mononobe clans regarding acceptance of Buddhism in Japan.
In external affairs, Bidatsu sought to re-establish relations with Korean Kingdoms and, according to Nihonshoki, his court successfully established relations with Baekje and Silla, two of the Three Kingdoms of Korea.
The emperor died from a disease which afflicted him with sores, apparently the first royal victim of smallpox in Japan.
The actual site of Bidatsu's grave is known. This emperor is traditionally venerated at a memorial Shinto shrine (misasagi) at Osaka.
The Imperial Household Agency designates this location as Bidatsu's mausoleum. It is formally named Kawachi no Shinaga no naka no o no misasagi.
Read more about this topic: Emperor Bidatsu
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