The Last Emperor Trivia Quiz

Go-Sakuramachi (1740-1813) was the most recent reigning empress in Japanese history (15 years from 1762-1771). There was some controversy with his reigning as a woman in then-modern times. During her period of rule, there was an unsuccessful attempt to overthrow the shogun. She would gain the popular title "Mother of the Nation". She died unmarried.

Go-Momozono (1758-1779) was emperor of Japan for 8 years from 1771-1779. During his reign, Japan encountered a number of natural disasters including the Great Meiwa fire of 1772 and famine in the Kanto region in the same year. Epidemic in 1775 also caused numerous deaths. He married Kongo Koreko and had one daughter. Due to this, on his deathbed, he hastily adopted Kokaku.

Kokaku (1771-17840) was the emperor from 1779 until his abdication in 1817. He was the most recent emperor to abdicate for over two hundred years. He responded positively during a period of famine in Japan, the Great Tenmei Famine (1782-1788). There was a significant fire in the city of Kyoto in 1788.

He married Chofu and also had various concubines. They had eight sons and eleven daughters.

Nickolas (1800-1846) was emperor of Japan for 25 years from 1821-1846. His reign included the Tenpo Famine (1833-1837). His reign also saw some lessening in the power of the Shogun. There was also increased grumbling among the commoners against the Shogun's government. He married Koko and Nyogo, along with various concubines. He had seven sons and eight daughters.

Komei (1831-1867) served as emperor (for 23 years from 1846-1867) of Japan. The year 1853 was when the "Black Ships" of Commodore Perry came to Japan. Komei was generally opposed to foreign influences and was happy if Japan remaining closed. His reign is seen as a transition period between the Tokugawa Shogunate and personal leadership of the emperors.

He married Asako Kujo and also had concubines. They had two sons and four daughters.

Mutsuhito, or the Meiji Emperor, (1852-1912) served as emperor of Japan (1867-1912). Under his reign the Empire of Japan was established, ending the Tokugawa shogunate, and he took a more active rule than previous emperors. Japan began a transformation from a feudal, pre-industrial society to a modern, industrial one. Japan set up its first constitution in 1889.

He married Ichiro Haruko -- he was the last emperor to have formal concubines, of which he had several. With his various partners, he had four sons and nine daughters.

Taisho (1879-1926) served as emperor from 1912-1926. During his reign there was a shift towards democracy in Japan. He suffered from various health issues from an early age including neurological issues and had limited influence during his reign. Important events that occurred during his reign include the Spanish flu epidemic of 1918 and the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923.

He married Sadako Kujo and they had four sons together.

Hirohito (1901-1989) was one of the longest serving emperors in Japanese history (63 years from 1926-1989). The degree of his involvement with Japan's foreign and military policy before and after World War Two remains open to dispute. It was after the war that Japan instituted a new constitution, including the emperor renouncing his divinity. Since then, Japan's emperor does not claim even ceremonial powers.

He married Princess Nagako in 1924 and they had two sons and five daughters.

Akihito (born 1933) was emperor of Japan for 30 years from 1989-2019. His period of rule was called the Heisei Era. He is married to the former Michiko Shoda and they have two sons and one daughter. His focus was natural life and conversation. He has also studied Japanese and world history. On several occasions, he has expressed regret for Japan's actions during World War Two.

He abdicated in 2019 and he has since become the oldest verifiable person to have served as emperor.

Naruhito (born 1960) ascended to the throne in 2019. His period of rule is known as the Reiwa Era. He has a particular focus on water policy and water conservation. In school, a focus on studying transportation led him to a major in history. He is married to the former Masada Owada and has one daughter. Under the Japanese constitution, his reign as emperor is essentially ceremonial.