MIKADO. This is the popular title of the emperor of Japan, though in official documents the term tenno (he,avenly king) or tenshi (child of heaven) are most fre quently used. Other titles used in the native parlance or literature are nin-0 (king of men), 0-0 or dai-0 (great king), ko-tei (ruler of nations). Other terms, arising from the application of the name of the mikado's place of residence to his person, are: dai-ri (imperial palace), cho-tel (hall of audience), kinri (the forbidden interior), go-sho (pal ace), which-names occur frequently in old European works on Japan. The term mikado means honorable gate, like the Turkish " sublime porte," and the Egyptian "pharaoh." The dynasty of mikados is the oldest in the world, the present ruler Mutsuhito (q.v.), being the 123d of the imperial line. The first mikado was Jimmu Tenni), who beg,an to reign 660 B.C., the professed starting-point of Japanese chronology. The first seven teen mikados in the official list are said to have died at ages ranging from 100 to 141 years. The mikados have each a personal name, but no family name, and the tilme of any one mikado is never repeated; though in two instances in the list, two mikados reigned each twice, and have each two posthumous titles. Seven of these sovereigns of
Japan were females. The average duration of each reign is nearly 21 years. The mikados claim descent front the heavenly gods, and their regalia, of sovereignty are a mirror, crystal ball, and sword. The possession of these palladia is the test of legiti macy durina. civil or dynastic war, of which but one is known in Japanese history—the period 1336192, when a compromise was made by the rival in possession of the regalia receiving the title of ex-emperor, and handing over the sacred emblems to the other. After death, the mikado receives a posthumous title by which he is known in history. The mikado is allowed twelve miogo or concubines, besides the empress; and in addition, there are four noble families called shinn5, from whom heirs may be chosen for adop tion. Succession is not always to the oldest son, but usually to the mikado's nominee. The imperial household forms a distinct department of the government, called the kunaish5.