Queen Himiko

Queen Himiko was an ancient empress in Japan at around three century.

1. Queen Himiko
- Why female, Himiko became a queen -
Shiho
Histories of East Asia,2009

2. Who is Queen Himiko?

3. ひみこ （Himiko) (Pimiko or
Pimiku)
卑弥呼 “Sun-daughter, Sun-princes”
(AD 175? - 248?)

- A female influential ruler
Kitagawa, J M 1974

4. Out line
Back ground of this period
The accomplishment as a Queen
Religion - Shamanism-

5. Back ground of this period
The Shinsyo Nihonshi Zusetsu(The New detailed source book of Japanese history) 1993

6. What was happening in the nation?
War time Male ruler
(148-189)
Yamato Kingdom Female ruler
(200?-270?) Himiko
Iyo
The Shinsyo Nihonshi Zusetsu(The New detailed source book of Japanese history) 1993

7. Yamataikoku (Yamato Kingdom)
- Northern Kyusyu theory
- Kinki theory
The Shinsyo Nihonshi Zusetsu(The New detailed source book of Japanese history) 1993

8. Himiko [ Charactoristic ]
- old and unmarried woman
- lived in a hill top fortress
- scarcely appear out side
- only her brother managed to
communicate with her


Mysterious empress
Kitagawa, J M 1974

9. The accomplishment as a Queen
(AD239) Himiko sent messengers to China (Gi).
She was conferred the title as a queen.
(Gold seal, bronze mirror)
Himiko established the “imperial rule” as a model herself
to keep the blood and the talent.
The Shinsyo Nihonshi Zusetsu(The New detailed source book of Japanese history) 1993,
Heritage of Japan 2009, Kitagawa, J M 1974

10. Himiko’s death (AD 248?)
The Japan Times, 2000
- A huge mound was constructed
for her.
- More than 1000 people were buried
in the grave as a sacrifice
for the great empress.

Himiko had
enormous power and be sacred.

11. Religion – shamanism
People believed shaman who is gifted to talk to spirits,
in order to predict the whether or cure illnesses etc… in this era.
Weirdwildrealm 2009

12. Summary
-Himiko was a female shamanic ruler.
-She provided the ‘imperial rule’.
-Shamanism was essential for
Japanese people in this period.

13. Discussion
•Do you believe the legend of
Queen Himiko? Why?
2. What do you think about the
significance of emperor in Japan in
modern days?
(for people, for the nation)

14. Reference List
Heritage of Japan 2009, viewed 13 March 2009,
http://heritageofjapan.wordpress.com/yayoi-era-yields-up-rice/lifestyle-and-society-of-the-land-of-wa/who-was-queen-himiko/
Histories of East Asia 2009, viewed 13 March 2009,
http://people.cohums.ohio-
state.edu/bender4/eall131/EAHReadings/module02/m02japanese.h
tml
The Japan Times 2000, ‘Nara tomb discovery may stir debate over site
of Queen Himiko's realm’, 29 March, viewed13 March 2009
http://www.trussel.com/prehist/news186.htm
Kitagawa, J M ‘The Japanese "Kokutai" (National Community) History
and Myth’ History of Religions, vol. 13, no. 3 (Feb., 1974), pp.
209-226 , viewed 13 March 2009,
http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/1061814.pdf
The Shinsyo Nihonshi Zusetsu(The New detailed source book of
Japanese history) (1993, pp.14-15)

15. The Shinsyo Nihonshi Zusetsu(The New detailed source book of Japanese history) 1993
Weirdwildrealm 2009, viewed 11 April 2009,
http://www.weirdwildrealm.com/filmimages/himiko.jpg