The oldest Royal Family in the world (1) 2016/03/20
According to「nippon-shoki」, which is the Japanese oldest history book, the first Emperor, Jinmu acceded the throne on the first year of imperial year which fell on 2676years ago. It was the opening of Japanese first and only one dynasty.
There are many dramatic legends which tell charming and divine performance of Jinmu and other following Emperors in「nippon-shoki」and other documents, however there is no vivid concrete proof to show the existence of Empero Jinmu. We did not have letters at that time and it is extremely difficult to know exact time of beginning of the dynasty.
Nevertheless it is clear and almost no doubt in the actual presence of 26th Emperor, Keitai ( period of reign 507-531), from whom the pedigree of the Royal family has been led ceaselessly till the current 125th Emperor.
Japanese Royal family has been led in the shortest case, around 1500 years, and in the longest case, around 2700 years. In either case, it is by far the longest family in the world.
「nippon-shoki」which was published in 720, is the oldest Japanese official history book, while 「kojiki」was presumably written for royal families and nobles and not for public.
「kojiki」is composed of three parts. First part told the story of the beginning of the world and this nation. Second part begun with Emperor Jinmu and ended with 15th Emperor Ojin. Third part started with 16th Emperor Nintoku ( 394-427) and ended with 33rd Emperor Suiko(592-628).
In other word, first part is the collection of legends, third part is records of actual Emperors, while second part is the transition from legends to actual history.
Ｅｍｐｅｒｏｒ Ｊｉｎｍｕ
