List of kingdoms in Twelve Kingdoms

The following is a list of kingdoms in the novel and anime series, The Twelve Kingdoms. In this world, there are a total of thirteen lands. At the center of the world lie Koukai (the Yellow Sea) and Mt. Hou which are entrusted to Seioubo. There are twelve kingdoms, twelve rulers and twelve Kirins. Each kingdom has its own Kirin, called a Saiho, who must chose a ruler. The ruler will have immortal life as long as he keeps the kingdom healthy and their heads are not severed from their body.

The Koukai, known as the Yellow Sea, is surrounded by four inland seas: the Black Sea in the north, the Blue Sea to the east, the Red Sea in the south, and the White Sea to the west. Eight of the Twelve Kingdoms border at least one of these four seas, extending from the center like the petals of a flower. The remaining four kingdoms are not part of the central mainland and are isolated by the often executed citizens under false charges. The people of Hou eventually revolted under the leadership of Lord , the king of Kyou, has ruled for over 90 years, but she has the appearance of a young girl, since that was when she was chosen to become the new king of Kyou. She ascended the throne twenty-seven years after the death of the previous king. The kingdom has been described as well-off under her rule. Though Shushou is often strict and can be capricious, she has demonstrated wisdom and has proven to be a capable ruler.

Han

Ruler: Go Ranjou Taiho: Hanrin (, who climbed Mount Hou after the death of the king who preceded him and was selected to become the king of Sai by Sairin. During his twenty year reign, his actions caused Sairin to contract shitsudou. Realizing he had lost the way, Shishou ascended Mount Hou to abdicate the throne and took his life. Sairin chose Kouko as the next king and continues to always carry a branch with leaves on it, as a memento of the broken promise Shishou had made to her that he would govern his country well.

ou

Ruler: Ro Senshin Taiho: Sourin ("Shou-Shou") Kanji: 奏 (to play music, speak to a ruler, complete)

The southernmost kingdom of the twelve, bordering the Red Sea, the kingdom of Sou is one of the four "central" kingdoms. Its king is known by the appellation of Priest-King.

The Priest-King of Sou currently holds the oldest living reign, at 600 years, of the all the current kings of the Twelve Kingdoms and holds the second longest reign in the Twelve Kingdoms’ recorded history. The king and Sou's kirin are never formally introduced in the anime series. Enki describes the emperor is a meikun ("great ruler") and states that the Kingdom of Sou is prosperous and tranquil under his rule.

The family of the king of Sou helps to run the country, and is actively involved in social improvement projects, as mentioned by Shushou and Rakushun. The prince of Sou assists the emperor while the princess of Sou created a national hospital where many patients are treated. She is credited for providing Sou's health care. One prince, Rikou, appears in "Tonan no Tsubasa" and the short story "Kizan", where he and Shouryuu (under his alias Fuukan) run into each other in the falling kingdom of Ryuu.

It is stated in episode 21 of the anime series that Sourin was the one who located Enki in Hourai.

Ren

Ruler: Ou Seitaku Taiho: Renrin Kanji: 漣 (ripples)

Located in the southwest, the kingdom of Ren is one of the four "outer" kingdoms. Ren appears to be political stable, though has recently undergone a rebellion that was put down.

The king of Ren has ruled for about 100 years and comes from a family of farmers. As such, he is not a person who is familiar with formalities, and prefers to spend his time in his farmyard in the palace. In contrast to him, his kirin Renrin is very proper and places a lot of emphasis on propriety. She possesses an imperial treasure: the Gogoukanda ("Serpent Bracelet of Empowerment"), a bracelet that connects the world of the Twelve Kingdoms to Hourai without creating a shoku. It was used to return Taiki to Mt. Hou.

In the novel "Kasyo no Yume-Toei" ("Dreams of Kasyo - Prosperity in Winter"), Taiki thanks Renrin and the king of Ren for bringing him back to Tai. Renrin is also instrumental in "The Shore in Twilight" (and by extension, in "Demon Child") in searching for Taiki when he disappears to Japan again.

hun

Ruler: Emperor Shun Taiho: Shunki Kanji: 舜 (morning glory, rose of Sharon, althea)

The kingdom of Shun is one of the four "outer" kingdoms and located southeast of the kingdoms on the mainland. The emperor of Shun has had a forty year reign. The kingdom itself is known its precious stones and medicine. While previously stable, Enki believes that the kingdom may be struggling with youma from the unstable Kou Kingdom.

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