The descendants of the Sun Goddess: the true origin of the Japanese Imperial Family.
To this day, while the Japanese Imperial Family is widely believed to descend from the Sun Goddess Amaterasu, this legend lacks historical evidence. In the 7th century BC, the population on Kyushu and other Japanese islands was sparse, and the level of cultural development was only equivalent to that of the Stone Age. The earliest written records appear in the "Book of Han: Geographic Records," describing that in the 1st century AD, the Japanese islands were not under unified rule but were divided into over a hundred small states. Therefore, the true origin of the Japanese Imperial Family is far more complex than the legend suggests.
So, when was the Japanese Empire actually established? Who was the first true emperor in history? These questions puzzle historians, as early documents are often based on legends. In Chinese historical texts, Emperor Sujin is mysteriously listed as the tenth emperor, but due to his achievements, people mistakenly believe he was the first emperor to unify Japan. Some scholars argue that Sujin may have been a real person, but his status is closely linked to the legend of Emperor Jimmu, making it difficult to verify.
On New Year's Day 1946, Emperor Hirohito, in his radio address, was the first to deny the claim that the Imperial Family descended from the Sun Goddess, marking the end of the myth surrounding the Japanese Imperial Family. However, this statement did not change the beliefs of most Japanese people, who still cling to the traditional view of being descendants of the Sun Goddess.
The true origin of the Japanese Imperial Family is shrouded in mystery, with a blurred historical record from Emperor Sujin to Emperor Hirohito that is hard to verify. This series of events not only reveals the true origin of the Japanese Imperial Family but also showcases the significant gap between historical legends and reality.
