Empress of Yamatai

The Empress of Yamatai is the traditional head of state of Yamatai. Since the adoption of the 1957 constitution, she is considered the symbol of the Yamataian state and the representative of the unity of Yamataian people. In, the Empress is called Tennō (天皇), literally "heavenly sovereign". The current Empress is Kazuko, who acceded to the Imperial Throne on 7 January, 2010, after the abdication of her mother, Empress Keiko.

Historically, the Empress of Yamatai was also the highest authority of the Michi religion, considered to be the bridge between the mortal world and that of the gods, as the direct descendant of the sun goddess Amaterasu. The historical origins of the Empresses lie with Himiko, a semi-legendary priestess-monarch who led the First Kingdom of Yamatai, and was believed to be a goddess left behind to act as an emissary for the gods. The modern Imperial line of succession can be traced to Himiko, a priestess who emerged in 248 ACE claiming to be the reincarnation of the original Himiko, who founded the Empire of Yamatai, the first incarnation of the modern Yamataian state.

For much of Yamatai's history, the Empress of Yamatai was the religious leader of the Kamamori Shrine, the largest and oldest Michi school. Though in theory holding absolute power, the day-to-day governing of the state was often left to the Imperial Court, and during different eras of Yamatai's history true political power resided various in the hands of the Court nobles, local feudal rulers, or the Kannushi Conclave during the Holy Empire of Yamatai era. During the Second Empire of Yamatai period, the Empress was further empowered and expected to lead the government, and her political powers later grew further during the era of Yamataian Stratocracy. Following the end of the Yamataian Stratocracy, however, the Empress was entirely sidelined from the political process and currently holds no political powers, serving as the ceremonial head of state with true political agency held by the Prime Minister of Yamatai.

Under the Constitution of Yamatai, the Empress is "the highest representative of the nation of Yamatai". She holds almost no political power and plays a small role in government, though one of her roles is to ensure that the government acts in a manner ensuring the best interests of the Yamataian nation are fulfilled. To this end, the Empress has the ability to halt any ongoing deliberations, and she can also issue a statement that must be read out to the assembled Gikai. The Empress is also one of the three people needed to approve the use of Yamatai's nuclear arsenal. As head of state, the Empress appoints the Prime Minister of Yamatai, as well as the highest-ranking commanders of the Yamataian Armed Forces, though she is required to appoint those selected by their respective organisations.

Marriage
See also: Regent Houses of Yamatai

Traditionally, the Empress would marry suitors from the major feudal clans that ruled lands across Yamatai. Any children from the marriage, with the exception of the Empress, would be considered a member of their father's clan.

After Yamataian Civil War ended in 1717, the feudal clans were officially abolished and all feudal clans were ordered to hand control of their lands and properties to the Empress, and disband their armies. The five clans that swore fealty to the Empress prior to the start of the Civil War were recognised for their loyalty and were permitted to remain as nobility, forming the Five Regent Houses.

The five Regent Houses of Yamatai are the families Koubuin, Ikaruga, Saionji, Kujou, and Takatsukasa. Though tradition dictates that the Empress marry suitors from these houses, Empress Kiyono broke this tradition for the first time by marrying Imperial Consort Egashira Hisashi. Accordingly, her children are the first members of the Imperial family to not be members of one of the old feudal houses. The future of Princess Kōshitsu Kikuko and Prince Kōshitsu Shinji once their sister Crown Princess Kōshitsu Kameko passes her throne on is still unclear, and there is a possibility that by law they cannot be considered nobility.

Succession
Only females may ascend to the Imperial Throne. The traditional order of succession favours the daughters of the current Empress, with the Crown Princess automatically the oldest daughter of the current Empress. If there are no daughters capable of succeeding the throne, the Crown Princess would be the next-oldest sister of the Empress. There has never been a case in Yamataian history where there has been no Crown Princess available to take the throne upon the death of the Empress.

By tradition, the new Empress ascends to the throne 24 hours after the previous Empress dies or abdicates. However, there have been numerous cases where the death of the Empress was not immediately known or announced to the public.

Burial
Following the tradition of the Empresses of the Shrine, the Empresses of Yamatai are traditionally cremated upon death. This is believed to release the mortal body and enable the Empress to journey to the realm of the gods. The ashes are interred in elaborate mausoleums in the Chiburi Imperial Graveyard on Chiburijima in the Oki Islands.

List of Yamataian Empresses
Note that this list is not exhaustive.