Emperor Bidatsu

was the 30th emperor of Japan,Imperial Household Agency (Kunaichō), 敏達天皇 (30); retrieved 2013-1-31. according to the traditional order of succession.

The years of reign of Bidatsu start in 572 and end in 585; however, there are no certain dates for this emperor's life or reign.  The names and sequence of the early emperors were not confirmed as "traditional" until the reign of Emperor Kammu, who was the 50th monarch of the Yamato dynasty.

Traditional history
Historians consider details about the life of Emperor Bidatsu to be possibly legendary, but probable.Kelly, Charles F.  "Kofun Culture,"  Japanese Archaeology. April 27, 2009; retrieved 2013-1-31.  The name Bidatsu-tennō was created for him posthumously by later generations.

He was the second son of Emperor Kimmei.  His mother, Ishi-hime, was a daughter of Emperor Senka.

His palace in Yamato Province was called Osada no Miya of Iware.

Although he had many children, none of them would ever become emperor.Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1959) The Imperial House of Japan, p. 46. According to Gukanshō, Bidatsu had four empresses and 16 Imperial children (6 sons and 10 daughters).

Events of Bidatsu's life
In the 15th year of Kimmei's reign, Bidatsu was proclaimed as the Crown Prince.

In the 32nd year of Kimmei's reign (572), the emperor died; and his successor was Bidatsu. This was confirmed in ceremonies.Varley, p. 44; compare Imperial Household Agency (Kunaichō),  Ceremony of Accession (Sokui-no-Rei); retrieved 2013-1-31.

Bidatsu's reign was marked by power struggles about Buddhism.  The two most important men in the court of Bidatsu were Soga no Umako and Mononobe no Moriya. Soga supported the growth of Buddhism, and Moriya wanted to stop it.

Bidatsu suffered from an unknown disease which afflicted him with sores.  Probably, he was the first royal victim of smallpox in Japan.Hopkins, Donald R. (2002).  The Greatest Killer, pp. 105-106.

In the 14th year of Bidatsu's reign (585), he died;  and the succession (senso) were passed to his younger half-brother who became known as Emperor Yōmei.

 After his death 
According to the Imperial Household Agency, the emperor's final resting place is in an earthen tumulus (kofun).  Bidatsu is venerated at a memorial Shinto shrine (misasagi) which is associated with the burial mound.

Related pages
 Emperor of Japan
 List of emperors of Japan
 Japanese imperial family tree

 References 

Category:538 births
Category:585 deaths
Category:Emperors of Japan