Imperial House of Japan Kōshitsu | |
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Country | Japan |
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Founder |
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Current head | Naruhito |
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Website | https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/eindex.html |
The Imperial House (皇室, Kōshitsu) is the dynasty and imperial family of Japan, consisting of those members of the extended family of the reigning emperor of Japan who undertake official and public duties. Under the present constitution of Japan, the emperor is "the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people". Other members of the imperial family perform ceremonial and social duties, but have no role in the affairs of government. The duties as an emperor are passed down the line to their male children. The Japanese monarchy is the oldest continuous hereditary monarchy in the world.[1] The imperial dynasty has no name, therefore its current members do not have a family name.
The imperial house recognizes 126 monarchs, beginning with Emperor Jimmu (traditionally dated to 11 February 660 BCE), and continuing up to the current emperor, Naruhito. However, scholars have agreed that there is no evidence of Jimmu's existence,[2][3] that the traditional narrative of the imperial family’s founding is mythical, and that Jimmu is a mythical figure.[4] Historical evidence for the first 25 emperors is mythical, but there is sufficient evidence of an unbroken agnatic line since the early 6th century.[5] Historically, verifiable emperors of Japan start from 539 CE with Emperor Kinmei.[2][6][7]