Emperor Hanzei

Emperor Hanzei is also referred to as 'Emperor Hansho.' The name "Hanzei," according to a footnote in Aston's Nihongi, means "the Emperor who turned matters into the right path" (Hanzei XII 12).

Another name by which Emperor Hanzei is mentioned in the Nihongi is "Mizuhawake," where "mizuha" refers to "beautiful teeth" (Hanzei XII 12).

The last applicable Japanese name is "Emperor Tajihi no Mizuhawake," which draws from an incident described in the Nihongi where a "tajihi flower (itadori flower)" fell into the well from which Mizuhawake's bath water was drawn from.

The Song Shu (宋書--A history of the Song Dynasty) mentions one of the five kings of Yamato Japan to be "Chin," 珍. Many historians attribute this mention to Emperor Hanzei.

Life

Emperor Hanzei's life cannot be chronicled with any certainty. Historians like to blanket this cautionary note to all Emperors prior to the 6th century.

According to the Nihongi, the Emperor was born in the Palace of Ahaji. "[Mizuhawake] was appointed Prince Imperial in the second year of [Emperor Richu's reign] (Hanzei XII 12).

Apparently, he was a beautiful child, which gave birth to his "Mizuhawake" namesake.

In the "1st year, Spring, 1st month, 2nd day" of his listed reign, he took the throne.

In 438, an envoy is supposed to have travelled from Wa to the Song, requesting a total of 14 titles for Emperor Hanzei and his underlings. However, Wang Zhenping interestingly notes that this is a mistake on the part of the Song, as Hanzei's rule ended in 410. This request would have most likely have been made by Emperor Ingyo. Such discrepancies--due to the slow rate of communication and the gathering of international information--were fairly common.