Himiko

Hello! My name is Himiko. I lived a very long time ago, in a beautiful land of islands that would one day be called Japan. In my time, around the year 189 CE, our land was called Wa. It was filled with many small kingdoms that were always fighting with each other. The people were tired of all the war and wanted peace. They chose me to be their queen because I was a shamaness, which meant I could help guide them with wisdom.

I became the ruler of a powerful kingdom called Yamatai. I lived in a grand palace with high walls and watchtowers, where soldiers protected me. Because I was a shamaness, I spent my time in quiet thought, trying to find the best ways to keep my people safe and happy. I did not see many people, but my younger brother was a great help to me. He would meet with leaders from other villages and tell them my messages. This helped us all work together.

I wanted my kingdom to have friends far and wide. So, in the year 238 CE, I sent some of my most trusted people on a long boat journey across the sea to the great country of China. The emperor of China was very kind. He was happy to learn about my peaceful kingdom and gave me the title 'Queen of Wa, Friendly to Wei.' He sent back wonderful gifts, including a special gold seal and one hundred beautiful bronze mirrors that shone like the sun. This showed everyone that Yamatai was an important and respected kingdom.

I ruled for many years and brought a long time of peace to my people. When my time as queen came to an end around the year 248 CE, my people built a very large tomb to honor me. After I was gone, there was a little more fighting, but soon a young girl from my family named Iyo became queen, and she kept the peace just as I had. Today, people remember me as one of the first great rulers of ancient Japan, a shamaness-queen who brought her people together.