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Ankan

466 – 536

Emperor of Japan

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About Ankan

Lived 466 – 536 (aged 69–70). Ankan was a Japanese ruler.

(466 – 25 January 536) was the 27th Emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.

No firm dates can be assigned to this Emperor's life or reign, but he is conventionally considered to have reigned from 10 March 531 to 25 January 536.

Legendary narrative According to the Kojiki, , later Emperor Ankan, was the elder son of Emperor Keitai, who is considered to have ruled the country during the early-6th century, though there is a paucity of information about him. When Ankan was 66 years old, Keitai abdicated in favor of him.

Ankan's contemporary title would not have been tennō, as most historians believe this title was not introduced until the reigns of Emperor Tenmu and Empress Jitō. Rather, it was presumably , meaning "the great king who rules all under heaven". Alternatively, Ankan might have been referred to as or the "Great King of Yamato".

The most noteworthy event recorded during his reign was the construction of state granaries in large numbers throughout Japan, indicating the broad reach of imperial power at the time.

Ankan's grave is traditionally associated with the Takayatsukiyama kofun in Habikino, Osaka.

Genealogy Empress: , Emperor Ninken's daughter

Consort: , Kose no Ohito no Ōomi's daughter

Consort: , Kose no Ohito no Ōomi's daughter

Consort: , Mononobe no Itabi no Ōomuraji's daughter

First son: Imperial Prince Ako.

Second son: Prince Kibu

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Important facts

Born
466, Kashihara
Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Positions held
Emperor of Japan
Also known as
Emperor Ankan

Family & relationships

Parent
Emperor Keitai

People in Ankan's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Ankan's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Ankan?

Emperor of Japan

When was Ankan born?

Ankan was born in 466 in Kashihara.

When did Ankan die?

Ankan died on 25 January 536 in Kashihara.

What was Ankan's occupation?

Ankan was a ruler.

What nationality was Ankan?

Ankan was Japanese.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Ankan

· Wikidata: Q241765

· DBpedia: Emperor Ankan

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Ankan. https://biography.guide/ankan/

MLA: "Ankan." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/ankan/.

Chicago: "Ankan." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/ankan/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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