Emperor Bidatsu

Emperor Bidatsu (敏達天皇 Bidatsu Tennō) (538- September 14, 585) was the 30th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. He was the second son of Emperor Kimmei by his consort Iwahime, a daughter of Emperor Senka. According to Nihonshoki his name was Nunakurafutotamashiki; supposedly this was his posthumous name as well 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 in her own right and is today known as Empress Suiko.

He ruled during a tense period between the Soga and Mononobe clans 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 Silla.

Though he had many children, none of them would ever become emperor. He was succeeded first by one of his brothers, Emperor Yōmei, then by another, Emperor Sushun, and then Empress Suiko, his sister and wife, before his grandson, Emperor Jomei, eventually took the throne.