Page "Emperor of Japan" Paragraph 63

Over a thousand years ago, a tradition started that an emperor should ascend relatively young.

A dynast who had passed his toddler years was regarded suitable and old enough.

Reaching the age of legal majority was not a requirement.

Thus, a multitude of Japanese emperors have ascended as children, as young as 6 or 8 years old.

The high-priestly duties were deemed possible for a walking child.

A reign of around ten years was regarded a sufficient service.

Being a child was apparently a fine property, to better endure tedious duties and to tolerate subjugation to political power-brokers, as well as sometimes to cloak the truly powerful members of the imperial dynasty.

Almost all Japanese empresses and dozens of emperors abdicated, and lived the rest of their lives in pampered retirement, wielding influence behind the scenes.

Several emperors abdicated to their entitled retirement while still in their teens.

These traditions show in Japanese folklore, theater, literature and other forms of culture, where the emperor is usually described or depicted as an adolescent.