【POD】Emperor Ōjin and the Rise of the Yamato Kingdom: How a Maritime Tribe Forged a Nation Across the Sea

[About the Book] The Untold Scenario Behind the Birth of the Japanese Nation In the 3rd century, Queen Himiko unified the Wa kingdom under Yamatai, and in the 5th century, the “Five Kings of Wa” paid tribute to Chinese dynasties. Yet the century between them-the 4th century-remains shrouded in mystery, a period historians often call “the missing century” of Japanese history. What really happened in the Japanese archipelago during this enigmatic hundred years? This book challenges the long-accepted “Horse-Rider Theory” and instead presents a bold narrative of state formation led by seafaring peoples who freely crossed the Korea Strait-an oceanic clan the author calls the Watatsumi Tribe, or “Sea Deity Clan.” At the center of this story is Emperor Ōjin (Homudawake), whose life becomes the thread that weaves together this reimagined history. Grounded in historical evidence yet written with a vivid sense of drama, the book portrays the conflicts, choices, and ambitions of ancient people. As readers progress through the narrative, they are ultimately drawn back to a fundamental question: How was the nation of Japan born? [Table Of Contents] Preface Part 1: The Young Hostage Homudawake Growing Up in Baekje Part 2: Development of Naniwa, the Wa Base Part 3: The Unified Wa State by Watatsumi Tribe Afterword Author Biography [Editor’s Note] The origins of Japan’s statehood remain full of unresolved mysteries. What makes this work compelling is not only its sharp inquiry into those mysteries, but also the way it unfolds as a story, allowing readers to imagine the landscapes and lives of the era. This book is recommended not only for history enthusiasts, but also for anyone curious about the roots of Japan as a nation and the dynamics of ancient Asia. [Author Biography] Takashi Yagi 1939: Born in Niigata City 1958: Graduated from Niigata High School 1964: Completed the master’s program in Electronic Engineering, School of Engineering, Tohoku University; joined Yaskawa Electric Corporation in the same year 2002: Retired 2015: Published “The Spiritual Soul of Ōtomo no Yakamochi and Manyo Poetries” through Surika Shobō