Empress Jingu- Japanese FigureMortal"Empress-Regent"

The Oracle and Chūai's Death

The gods spoke through Jingū to her husband, Emperor Chūai. They commanded him to direct his forces westward across the sea toward a land rich in treasure, the Korean kingdoms. Chūai, unable to see any land across the water, dismissed the oracle as false. The gods answered: he would not rule. The land across the sea would go instead to the child in Jingū's womb. Shortly after, Chūai was dead.

Jingū, widowed, pregnant, and bearing the full weight of the divine mandate, took command. She performed purification rites at Kashihi in Tsukushi and prepared the expedition the gods demanded.

The Tide Jewels

Jingū obtained the tide jewels from the sea god Ryūjin: the kanju, which drained the ocean, and the manju, which filled it. As the Korean fleet sailed out to meet her forces, she cast the ebbing jewel into the sea. The water drew back and the enemy ships settled onto the exposed seabed. When the Korean warriors disembarked to advance on foot, she cast the flowing jewel. The sea surged back and overwhelmed them.

Silla surrendered. Its king swore perpetual tribute, and according to the Nihon Shoki, Paekche and Koguryō followed. Throughout the campaign, Jingū delayed the birth of her child by binding a stone to her belly, holding off labor until the conquest was complete.

The Birth of Ōjin

Upon returning to Tsukushi, Jingū gave birth to the prince who would become Emperor Ōjin. Later generations identified Ōjin as the deity Hachiman, the god of war and divine protector of Japan. The Nihon Shoki credits Jingū with a regency of sixty-nine years, governing in her son's name.