Five kings of Wa

The five kings of Wa (倭の五王, Wa no go ō) ^[1] were kings of ancient Japan who sent envoys to China during the 5th century to strengthen the legitimacy of their claims to power by gaining the recognition of a Chinese emperor during the chaotic period of the Northern and Southern dynasties, when either dynasty was desperate to gain legitimacy over the other by trying to assert itself as the granter of official titles, through garnering as many foreign countries willing to receive titles.

Details about the five kings are unknown. According to written records in China, their names were San (贊; 'Laudable'), Chin (珍; 'Precious'), Sai (濟; 'Helpful'), Kō (興; 'Prosperous') and Bu (武; 'Martial'). But no kings with such names appear in the Japanese records, and where during this time only 3 appear instead of 5, spurring much debate of their identities.

There is also a briefly mentioned king named Dei of Wa who may have came before the five kings, but whose existence is disputed.^[2]: 11