Book chapter
Jingû: Narratives of Motherhood and Imperial Rule in Early Japan
Motherhood in Antiquity, pp.123-142
Springer International Publishing
03/08/2017
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-48902-5_7
Abstract
Jingû, a third-century legendary figure, was once considered the 15th sovereign of Japan. Modern historiography erased Jingû’s status as a ruler, emphasizing instead her functions as consort and mother, suggesting an incompatibility between motherhood and political power. But early narratives unambiguously endow Jingû with a divine legitimacy that affirms her sovereignty, not in spite of motherhood, but on its very basis as an essential part of Jingû’s power: first, by demonstrating her competence over the previous sovereign and father of her child; second, by safely prolonging her pregnancy rather than avoiding or terminating it; and finally, through the skillful application of her military, political and ritual power on behalf of her son as he comes of age and prepares to inherit the throne.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Jingû: Narratives of Motherhood and Imperial Rule in Early Japan
- Creators
- Kendra Strand - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Book chapter
- Publication Details
- Motherhood in Antiquity, pp.123-142
- DOI
- 10.1007/978-3-319-48902-5_7
- Publisher
- Springer International Publishing; Cham
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 03/08/2017
- Academic Unit
- Asian and Slavic Languages and Literatures
- Record Identifier
- 9984398027802771
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