Himiko

Ruled through the authority of sorcery, sent envoys to Wei and was named Queen of Wa.

Life

Jointly enthroned as queen

Himiko was the queen of Yamatai in the Japanese archipelago. Her life is known only from the account in the "Treatise on the Wa" in the Book of Wei of China's Records of the Three Kingdoms, as Japan itself had no written records at the time. According to that account, after the land of Wa went through a long period of internal strife, "without a ruler for many years," she was jointly chosen as ruler by the various states to put an end to the conflict.

Practiced the way of spirits; sent envoys to Wei

She "served the Way of spirits and could bewitch the people," governing with a shaman-like religious authority. She seldom appeared in person, and her younger brother assisted her in handling affairs of state. In 238 CE she sent envoys across the sea to pay tribute to Cao Wei and received the title "Queen of Wa, Friend of Wei" along with a gold seal on a purple ribbon; later, while at war with the state of Kunu to the south, she sought help from the Daifang Commandery.

Her tomb and Yamatai

She died around 248 CE, and it is recorded that "a great mound was raised, more than a hundred paces across, and more than a hundred male and female slaves were buried with her." The location of her state of Yamatai is placed by some in Kyushu and by others in the Yamato area of the Kinki region; scholars of both camps have made their own calculations from the itinerary in the "Records of Wei" without ever reaching agreement, making it a famous unresolved question of ancient Japanese history, and excavated artifacts such as triangular-rimmed mirrors with divine beasts have repeatedly been cited as evidence by both sides.

Legacy

Himiko is one of the earliest rulers of the Japanese archipelago recorded in written sources. Her story provides precious material for studying the political organization, religion and foreign relations of 3rd-century Wa, and attests to close early China–Japan exchange. Because the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki do not clearly record her name, there are many competing theories about her identification with figures such as Empress Jingu. Some scholars speculate that the Hashihaka Kofun in Nara is her tomb, but this remains unsettled.

Major works & achievements

• Ended Wa's long civil strife
• Sent envoys to Cao Wei and received the title "Queen of Wa, Friend of Wei"
• Granted a gold seal with purple ribbon and 100 bronze mirrors
• Fought the state of Kunu and appealed to Daifang Commandery for aid

Did you know? The "Queen of Wa, Friend of Wei" gold seal has never been found; the gold seal unearthed in Kyushu in the Edo period is the earlier "King of Na of Wa of Han" seal.

Key dates

• 170Born c. (date unknown)
• 189Made queen after civil strife in Wa
• 238Sent envoys to Cao Wei and received the title "Queen of Wa, Friend of Wei"
• 247At war with the state of Kunu; sent envoys to the Daifang Commandery for help
• 248Died; many were buried with her