View source for Five kings of Wa

{{Short description|5th century Japanese envoys to China}}
The {{Nihongo|'''five kings of Wa'''|倭の五王|Wa no go ō}}<!-- Hong Wontack (洪元卓) is not a historian. In addition: Against NP --> were kings of ancient [[Japan]] ([[Wa (Japan)|Wa]]) who sent envoys to [[China]] during the 5th century to strengthen the legitimacy of their claims to power by gaining the recognition of the [[Chinese emperor]]. Details about them are unknown. According to written records in China, their names were [[San of Wa|San]] ({{lang|ja|讃}}), [[Chin of Wa|Chin]] ({{lang|ja|珍}}), [[Sai of Wa|Sai]] ({{lang|ja|濟}}), [[Ko of Wa|Kō]] ({{lang|ja|興}}) and [[Bu of Wa|Bu]] ({{lang|ja|武}}).

== Titles bestowed on the Kings of Wa ==
In general, five kings of Wa were bestowed the titles {{lang|ja|安東[大]将軍倭国王}} (''Antō [Dai-]Shōgun, Wa-kokuō'', [Grand] General of Antō, King of Wa). In the Southern Dynasties of China in this period, there were three ranks of General titles which were bestowed to the chiefs of the subject state (located in the East of China) who sent envoy to the emperor of the Dynasty. The highest general title was {{lang|ja|征東大将軍}} (''Seitō Dai-Shōgun'', Grand General conquering the East). The next high title was {{lang|ja|鎮東大将軍}} (''Chintō Dai-Shōgun'', Grand General appeasing the East). The third high title and the lowest among three was {{lang|ja|安東大将軍}} (''Antō Dai-Shōgun'', Grand General pacifying the East).

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan="3" | 2rd rank General !! &nbsp;&nbsp; || colspan="3" | 3rd rank General 
|-
! Rank ({{lang|ja|品}}) !! Military title !! Endowed on !!&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;!! Rank ({{lang|ja|品}}) !! Military title !! Endowed on
|-
| align="center" | 2 || {{lang|ja|征東大将軍}}<br />Grand General of Seitō || King of [[Goguryeo]] || &nbsp;&nbsp; || align="center" | 3 || {{lang|ja|征東将軍}}<br />General of Seitō || -
|-
| align="center" | 2 || {{lang|ja|鎮東大将軍}}<br />Grand General of Chintō || King of [[Baekje]] || &nbsp;&nbsp; || align="center" | 3 || {{lang|ja|鎮東将軍}}<br />General of Chintō || -
|-
| align="center" | 2 || {{lang|ja|安東大将軍}}<br />Grand General of Antō || Sai (King of [[Wa (name of Japan)|Wa]])<br />Bu (King of Wa) || &nbsp;&nbsp; || align="center" | 3 || {{lang|ja|安東将軍}}<br />General of Antō || align="center" | San, Chin, Sai, Kō<br />(King of Wa)
|-
| align="center" | &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp;&nbsp; || align="center" | 3 || {{lang|ja|平西将軍}}<br />General of Heisei || Subject of Chin
|-
| align="center" | &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp;&nbsp; || align="center" | 3 || - || -
|-
| align="center" | &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp; || &nbsp;&nbsp; || align="center" | 3 || {{lang|ja|征虜将軍}}<br />General of Seiryo || Subject of Chin
|-
|}

In the [[Liu Song Dynasty|Song]] dynasty, the emperor bestowed {{lang|ja|征東大将軍}} (''Grand General conquering the East'') on the King of [[Goguryeo]], and {{lang|ja|鎮東大将軍}} (''Grand General appeasing the East'') on the King of [[Baekje]]. However, the Song Emperor bestowed the third general title, {{lang|ja|安東大将軍}} (''Grand General pacifying the East'') on the King of Wa. There are interpretations on this fact that the King of Goguryeo stood in the highest rank, and the King of Wa stood in the lowest rank, while the King of Baekje stood between Goguryeo and Wa.<ref name="ishii 2005 169">Ishii 2005, p.169</ref> But there are also other opinions against this interpretation.{{efn|The facts recorded in the Chinese history books show that the Kings of Wa did not ask the higher title of the Generals of the East of China, such as ''General Chintō'' ({{lang|ja|鎮東将軍}}) or ''General Seitō'' ({{lang|ja|征東将軍}}). The five Kings of Wa always asked or styled "''[Grand] General Antō'' ({{lang|ja|安東[大]将軍}})". If there was substantial difference in status among the Three General titles, King Chin and King Bu could ask the title of "''General Chintō''" or "''General Seitō''". But they did not.<ref name="ishii 2005 175" /> In addition, if the Kings of Wa stood in lower status due to their General title than the Kings of Baekje, it is strange that King Chin and King Bu asked the title of Military Governor which has the power of ruling the land of Baekje whose King had the higher General title.<ref name="ishii 2005 173">Ishii 2005, p.173</ref>}} The difference of general ranks among the three states (Goguryo, Baekje, and Wa) was due to the order which each state had first sent envoy to the dynasty, and it cannot be said that the ranks of Goguryeo and Baekje were substantially higher than that of Wa.<ref name="ishii 2005 175">Ishii 2005, p.175</ref> Sakamoto also points out the different view on these general titles.<ref>(ja) 坂元義種 『倭の五王』教育社、1981年9月、180頁。{{ISBN|4315401455}}.</ref>

== Chinese records and the bestowed titles on the kings of Wa ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! [[Gregorian calendar|Gregorian date]] (AD)
! [[Dynasties in Chinese history|Dynasty]]
! [[Chinese calendar]]
! [[Twenty-Four Histories|Original Chinese source]]
! King of Wa
! class="unsortable" width="50%"| Short summary{{efn|These titles for sovereignty over the states described had no bearing on reality. The appointments reflected the struggle for hegemony over the Korean Peninsula between [[Goguryeo]] and Wa, as depicted in the [[Gwanggaeto Stele]].<ref>吉田晶, ''倭王権の時代'', 新日本出版社, 1998</ref>}}
|-
| align="center"| {{nts|413}}
| {{center|[[Jin Dynasty (266–420)|Jin]]}}
| {{center|{{nihongo|Giki 9|義熙九年}}}}
| {{center|[[Book of Jin]], [[Taiping Yulan]]}}
| {{center|Unknown{{efn|This is listed under "King San" in the [[Book of Liang]]}}}}
| The king of Wa sent a tributary.{{clarify|reason=Tributary or tribute?|date=May 2014}}
|- 
| align="center"| {{nts|421}}
| {{center|[[Liu Song Dynasty|Song]]}}
| {{center|{{nihongo|Eisho 2|永初二年}}}}
| {{center|[[Book of Song]]}}
| {{center|[[San of Wa|San]]}}
| King San sent a tributary{{clarify|reason=Tributary or tribute?|date=May 2014}} to Jin. [[Emperor Wu of Liu Song|Emperor Wu of Song]] bestowed the title, possibly {{lang|ja|安東将軍倭国王}} ''(General pacifying the East, King of Wa)'', on San.
|-
| align="center"| {{nts|425}}
| {{center|Song}}
| {{center|{{nihongo|Genka 2|元嘉二年}}}}
| {{center|Book of Song}}
| {{center|San}}
| King San sent Shiba Sōtatsu ({{lang|ja|司馬曹達}}){{efn|In this case, ''Shiba'' might be the title of Sōtatsu, rather than his surname.<ref>(ja) [https://japanknowledge.com/introduction/keyword.html?i=2078 Nipponica] {{lang|ja|日本大百科全書（ニッポニカ）, 倭の五王}} 坂元義種 (Retrieved 2023-0209)</ref> Sōtatsu might be a member of ''[[toraijin]]'' group.<ref name="sakamoto 2006" />}} as an envoy and made [[Emperor Wen of Liu Song|Emperor Wen of Song]] a present.
|-
| align="center"| {{nts|430}}
| {{center|Song}}
| {{center|{{nihongo|Genka 7|元嘉七年}}}}
| {{center|Book of Song}}
| {{center|Unknown{{efn|Possibly King San}}}}
| In January, the king of Wa sent a tribute.
|-
| align="center"| {{nts|438}}
| {{center|Song}}
| {{center|{{nihongo|Genka 15|元嘉十五年}}}}
| {{center|Book of Song}}
| {{center|[[Chin of Wa|Chin]]}}
| King San died, his younger brother Chin succeeded to the throne. Chin sent a tribute and styled himself the title of {{lang|ja|使持節都督倭百済新羅任那秦韓慕韓六国諸軍事安東大将軍倭国王}}. <br />In April, Emperor Wen appointed Chin to the title of {{lang|ja|安東将軍倭国王}} (''General pacifying the East, King of Wa'').<br />The emperor also appointed Wa Zui ({{lang|ja|倭隋}}) and other 13 subordinates of Chin to the titles of {{lang|ja|平西征虜冠軍輔国将軍}}{{efn|These titles ({{lang|ja|平西・征虜・冠軍・輔国-将軍}}) contain 4 General titles (not one title). 1) {{lang|ja|平西将軍}} (''General Heisei''), 2) {{lang|ja|征虜将軍}} (''General Seiryo''), 3) {{lang|ja|冠軍将軍}} (''General Kangun''), 4) {{lang|ja|輔国将軍}} (''General Hokoku'').}}. 
|-
| align="center"| {{nts|443}}
| {{center|Song}}
| {{center|{{nihongo|Genka 20|元嘉二十年}}}}
| {{center|Book of Song}}
| {{center|[[Sai of Wa|Sai]]}}
| Sai sent a tribute and was appointed to the title of {{lang|ja|安東将軍倭国王}} (''General pacifying the East, King of Wa'').
|-
| align="center"| {{nts|451}}
| {{center|Song}}
| {{center|{{nihongo|Genka 28|元嘉二十八年}}}}
| {{center|Book of Song}}
| {{center|Sai}}
| King Sai was appointed to the title of {{lang|ja|使持節都督倭新羅任那加羅秦韓慕韓六国諸軍事}}. as well as {{lang|ja|安東将軍}} (''General pacifying the East'').<br />In July, Sai was promoted to the title of {{lang|ja|安東大将軍倭国王}} (''Grand General pacifying the East, King of Wa''). 23 subordinates were also promoted.
|-
| align="center"| {{nts|460}}
| {{center|Song}}
| {{center|{{nihongo|Daimei 4|大明四年}}}}
| 
| {{center|Unknown{{efn|Possibly King Sai}}}}
| In December, the king of Wa sent a tribute.
|-
| align="center"| {{nts|462}}
| {{center|Song}}
| {{center|{{nihongo|Daimei 6|大明六年}}}}
| {{center|Book of Song}}
| {{center|[[Ko of Wa|Kō]]}}
| In March, [[Emperor Xiaowu of Liu Song|Emperor Xiaowu of Song]] appointed Kō, a crown prince of Sai, to the title of {{lang|ja|安東将軍倭国王}}. (''General pacifying the East, King of Wa'')
|-
| align="center"| {{nts|477}}
| {{center|Song}}
| {{center|{{nihongo|Shōmei 1|昇明元年}}}}
| {{center|Book of Song}}
| {{center|[[Bu of Wa|Bu]]}}
| In November, the king of Wa sent a tribute.<br />King Kō died, his younger brother Bu succeeded to the throne. Bu styled himself the title of {{lang|ja|使持節都督倭百済新羅任那加羅秦韓慕韓七国諸軍事安東大将軍倭国王}}.
|-
| align="center"| {{nts|478}}
| {{center|Song}}
| {{center|{{nihongo|Shōmei 2|昇明二年}}}}
| {{center|Book of Song}}
| {{center|Bu}}
| Bu styled himself the title of 開府儀同三司 and petitioned the official appointment. [[Emperor Shun of Liu Song|Emperor Shun of Song]] appointed Bu to the title of {{lang|ja|使持節都督倭新羅任那加羅秦韓慕韓六国諸軍事安東大将軍倭王}}.
|-
| align="center"| {{nts|479}}
| {{center|[[Southern Qi|Qi]]}}
| {{center|{{nihongo|Kengen 1|建元元年}}}}
| {{center|[[Book of Qi]]}}
| {{center|Bu}}
| [[Emperor Gao of Southern Qi|Emperor Gao of Qi]] promoted Bu to the title of {{lang|ja|鎮東大将軍 (征東将軍)}} (''Grand General appeasing the East, (General conquering the East)'').{{efn|name="promotion"|The promotions in 479 and 502 were automatic given the establishment of new dynasties in China.}}
|-
| align="center"| {{nts|502}}
| {{center|[[Liang Dynasty|Liang]]}}
| {{center|{{nihongo|Tenkan 1|天監元年}}}}
| {{center|[[Book of Liang]]}}
| {{center|Bu}}
| In April, [[Emperor Wu of Liang]] promoted Bu to the title of <!-- {{lang|ja|征東将軍}} (''General conquering the East''). The title was possibly mistaken for the title of --> {{lang|ja|征東大将軍}} (''Grand General conquering the East'').{{efn|name="promotion"}}
|}

== Comparison with the ''Nihon Shoki'' ==
{{Five kings of Wa}}<!-- Sources will be added later -->
=== Lack of records - two interpretations ===
In the ''[[Nihon Shoki]]'', there are no records about "five Kings of Wa" or any kings with the names San, Chin, Sai, Kō or Bu. There are no records that any [[Okimi|Daiō]] (great kings) of the [[Yamato Kingship]] sent envoys to Chinese emperors at all. On the other hand, the five Kings of Wa were clearly recorded in [[Twenty-Four Histories|Chinese official histories]]. In order to explain this situation, two kinds of interpretations have been proposed and discussed.<ref>Kumagai (2001), pp. 68–69.</ref>
# The five Kings of Wa and their diplomatic activities had really existed, but the formal history book, ''Nihon Shoki'', intentionally omitted these facts. The reason might be a policy which the Yamato kingship had adopted since the late sixth century. That is, Japan (Wa, Yamato) would not be involved in the Chinese [[Tributary system of China|''Sakuhō'' tributary system]] and would not be a subject state of China. [[Prince Shōtoku|Crown Prince Shōtoku]] advocated this policy. Even in this interpretation there were still other problems, including why the Kings of Wa had only named themselves with unusual single kanji letter names such as San or Chin.
# The other interpretation is that the five Kings of Wa were not Yamato kings, but rather local chiefs such as the kings of the [[Yamatai Kyushu Theory|Kyūshū dynasty]]. They sent envoys under the self-declared title of King of Wa. This interpretation could explain the strange one letter names of the five Kings. Therefore, the ''Nihon Shoki'' had not intentionally omitted the historical facts recorded by Chinese sources.
The first interpretation is traditional and the major stream of historical study of ancient Japan. But in this view, the identification problems arise. Many disputes have taken place over which "King of Wa" corresponds to which Emperor in the ''Nihon Shoki''.

=== Identification problems ===
{{More citations needed|date=June 2007}}
As the name of kings recorded in [[Chinese history]] are very different from the names of Emperors in the ''[[Nihon Shoki]]'', the specification of which emperor was the one recorded is the subject of numerous disputes which have endured for centuries. Most contemporary historians assign the five Japanese kings to the following emperors (two possibilities are identified for the Kings San and Chin), mostly based on the individual features of their genealogies reported in the Chinese sources.

On the other hand, archeological evidence, such as the  inscriptions on the [[Inariyama Sword|Inariyama]] and [[Eta Funayama Sword]], also supports the idea that Bu is an equivalent of Emperor Yūryaku, who was called ''Wakatakeru Ōkimi'' by his contemporaries.

*[[San of Wa|San]]  {{lang|ja|讃}}: [[Emperor Nintoku]] or [[Emperor Richū]]
*[[Chin of Wa|Chin]] {{lang|ja|珍}}: [[Emperor Hanzei]] or Emperor Nintoku
*[[Sai of Wa|Sai]]  {{lang|ja|濟}}: [[Emperor Ingyō]]
*[[Ko of Wa|Kō]]   {{lang|ja|興}}: [[Emperor Ankō]]
*[[Bu of Wa|Bu]]   {{lang|ja|武}}: [[Emperor Yūryaku]]

Since Bu is most likely to be Yūryaku, Kō, who is said to be Bu's older brother, is likely to be an equivalent of Ankō, who is also noted in the ''Nihonshoki'' as an elder brother to Yūryaku. However, the ''[[Book of Song]]'' records Kō as "''Crown Prince'' Kō"; there is a possibility that he is not Ankō, but rather [[Prince Kinashi no Karu]], who was a crown prince of Ingyō.

== Meanings of titles bestowed on the kings of Wa ==
In the age of the [[Liu Song Dynasty|Song]] Dynasty and the Southern Dynasties, there were various titles for high officials and military lords of the empire. These titles were also bestowed on the monarchs of the subject States in the [[Tributary system of China|Sakuhō System]].

The King of Wa was usually granted the two titles, "(Grand) General Antō" ({{lang|ja|安東(大)将軍}}, ''Antō (Dai) Shōgun'') and "King of Wa" ({{lang|ja|倭国王}}, ''Wa-Kokuō''). Some Kings of Wa, such as King Chin or King Bu, asked for titles of higher ranks. The Emperor of Chinese Dynasty bestowed some of them, but did not approve every title requested.

King Chin asked for the titles "{{lang|ja|使持節都督倭百済新羅任那秦韓慕韓六国諸軍事安東大将軍倭国王}}"{{efn|"使持節-都督-[倭-百済-新羅-任那-秦韓-慕韓-六国]-諸軍事-安東大将軍-倭国王", that is: 使持節(''Shijisetsu'')-都督(''Totoku'')-[倭(''Wa'')-百済(''Baekje'')-新羅(''Silla'')-任那(''Mimana'')-秦韓(''Shinkan'')-慕韓(''Bokan'')-六国(''Rokkoku'')]-諸軍事(''Shogunji'')-安東大将軍(''Antō-Dai-Shōgun'')-倭国王(''Wa-Kokuō'')}} (''Shijisetsu, Totoku, Wa, Baekje, Silla, Mimana, Shinkan, Bokan, Rokkoku-Shogunji, Antō-Dai-Shōgun, Wa-Kokuō''). This contains the Five Titles.
# {{lang|ja|使持節}}, ''Shijisetsu'' : Highest Rank Military Commander (General)<ref name="shijisetsu">(ja) [https://kotobank.jp/word/%E4%BD%BF%E6%8C%81%E7%AF%80-1330229 Kotobank Shijisetsu] (Retrieved 2023-0209)</ref>{{efn|There were three ranks in Military high official (Generals). The highest rank was called {{lang|ja|使持節}} ''Shijisetsu'', the next higher rank was {{lang|ja|持節}} ''Jisetsu'', the lowest rank was {{lang|ja|仮節}} ''Kasetsu''. {{lang|ja|節}} ''setsu'' is a small wand indicating that emperor gave the  formal mission to one who holds it.<ref name="shijisetsu" />}}
# {{lang|ja|都督}}, ''Totoku'' : Military Governor<ref>(ja) [https://kotobank.jp/word/%E9%83%BD%E7%9D%A3-105455 Kotobank Totoku] (Retrieved 2023-0209)</ref>
# {{lang|ja|都督-Region-諸軍事}}, ''Totoku - Region - Shogunji'' : Governor/Commander ruling all the military matters of the said Region (Region, State, Province, etc.)
# {{lang|ja|安東大将軍}}, ''Antō Dai-Shōgun'' : Grand General of Antō (Grand General pacifying the East)
# {{lang|ja|倭国王}}, ''Wa-Kokuō'' : King of Wa State
Therefore, ”{{lang|ja|使持節都督倭百済新羅任那秦韓慕韓六国諸軍事安東大将軍倭国王}}" means 1) Highest Rank Military General, 2) Governor ruling all the military matters of the Six States - Wa, Baekje, Silla, Mimana, Shinkan and Bokan, 3) Grand General pacifying the East, 4) King of Wa. The Song court did not approve the Title of {{lang|ja|都督- 百済 -諸軍事}} (''Totoku - Baekje - Shogunji''). The Song did not approve that King Chin would hold the power of militarily ruling the State area of Baekje. (King Bu also asked this power - militarily ruling the Baekje State - but the Song did not approve his request either.)<ref name="sakamoto 2006">坂元義種「巻頭史論 研究史 古代の日本と朝鮮--「七支刀」「好太王碑」「倭の五王」研究の成果と課題」『歴史読本』第51巻第3号、新人物往来社、2006年2月、 58-59頁</ref>

King Bu asked the Title {{lang|ja|開府儀同三司}} (''Kaifu Gidō-Sanshi''). This Title ''Kaifu Gidō-Sanshi'' is particularly high rank. The Emperor of Song did not approve, and instead bestowed the Titles "{{lang|ja|使持節都督倭新羅任那加羅秦韓慕韓六国諸軍事安東大将軍倭王}}" (''Shijisetsu, Totoku, Wa, Silla, Mimana, Kara (Gaya), Shinkan, Bokan, Rokkoku-Shogunji, Antō Dai-Shōgun, Wa-Kokuō'').<ref name="sakamoto 2006" /> 
# {{lang|ja|開府儀同三司}} ''Kaifu Gidō-Sanshi'' : Person whose Position is equivalent or corresponds to the "[[Three Ducal Ministers|Three Lords]]" (Highest Ranking Officials in the old Imperial Chinese governments. That is, {{lang|ja|丞相 (司徒)}} ''Jōshō (Shito)'', {{lang|ja|太尉}} ''Taii'', {{lang|ja|御史大夫 (司空)}} ''Gyoshi-Taifu (Shikū)''.{{efn|1) {{lang|ja|丞相}} (Chancellor), 2) {{lang|ja|太尉}} (Grand Commandant), 3) {{lang|ja|御史大夫}} (Grand Secretary).}}<ref>(ja) [https://kotobank.jp/word/%E9%96%8B%E5%BA%9C%E5%84%80%E5%90%8C%E4%B8%89%E5%8F%B8-225760 Kotobank Kaifu Gidō-Sanshi] (Retrieved 2023-0209)</ref><ref>(ja) [https://kotobank.jp/word/%E4%B8%89%E5%8F%B8-1169977 Kotobank Sanshi] (Retrieved 2023-0209)</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Ancient Japan}}
*[[Kofun Period]]
* [[Wakoku]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

=== Bibliography ===
* 熊谷公男『日本の歴史 03 大王から天皇へ』2001, Kodansha, {{ISBN|978-4062689038}}
==External links==
* 石井正敏 (2005年6月). (ja) [https://web.archive.org/web/20151018092747/http://www.jkcf.or.jp/history_arch/first/1/1-03-ishii_j.pdf “5世紀の日韓関係 - 倭の五王と高句麗・百済 -”]. ''日韓歴史共同研究報告書（第1期）'' (日韓歴史共同研究). [http://www.jkcf.or.jp/history_arch/first/1/1-03-ishii_j.pdf オリジナル] の2015年10月18日時点におけるアーカイブ。

{{Yamatai}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Five Kings Of Wa}}
[[Category:Kofun period]]
[[Category:Yamatai]]
[[Category:Five kings of Wa]]