History Entertainment Magazine "Rekishijin" Transfers to Shobunsha, First Issue to Feature "The Blank 4th Century and the Mystery of Ancient Emperors"

Shobunsha Holdings, Inc. (Headquarters: Kojimachi, Chiyoda-ku; President: Shigeo Kuroda; TSE Code: 9475) and its subsidiary Shobunsha Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: same as above; President: Tetsuya Kawamura; hereinafter Shobunsha) are pleased to announce that the first issue of the monthly history entertainment magazine "Rekishijin" following its transfer, the July 2026 issue, will be released on Friday, June 5, 2026. )) The special feature of the first issue is "The Blank 4th Century and the Mystery of Ancient Emperors." (( After Himiko, the queen of Yamatai, appeared in the "Records of the Three Kingdoms," Japanese history suddenly falls silent for about 150 years. However, behind the scenes, giant kofun (tumuli) were being built, the Yamato Kingship was established, and the prototype of the nation of Japan was being formed. Why are records from this era so scarce? Was it truly an era of 'nothing'? Could there be a history that was erased by later generations? This special feature will thoroughly explain the "Blank 4th Century" and the mystery of the ancient emperors based on the "Kojiki," "Nihon Shoki," Chinese historical records, and the latest archaeological research. It will approach one of the greatest mysteries of ancient Japanese history in a way that is easy for beginners to understand. )) Highlights of the Special Feature (( [1] What is the "Blank 4th Century," the greatest mystery in Japanese history? From the late 3rd century to the 5th century, historical records of Japan become extremely scarce. However, during this time, giant kofun were successively built across the Japanese archipelago, and political power expanded rapidly. The gap between the 'blank in records' and the 'enthusiasm in archaeology'—we will decipher the truth of ancient Japan based on this major contradiction. [2] How was the "Emperor" born? The imperial lineage is said to continue from the age of myths. However, this lineage contains many mysteries and unnatural gaps. This feature will approach the 'truth of the birth of the Japanese state' from multiple perspectives, including: The boundary between myth and history; The transition from Queen Himiko to a male king; The identity of the Five Kings of Wa; The process of the establishment of the Yamato Kingship; The possibility of an 'erased dynasty'; The change from "Ōkimi" (Great King) to "Tennō" (Emperor). )) Editor's Comment (( "Rekishijin" has been supported by many readers under the theme of 'making history more interesting and easier to understand.' For our new start at Shobunsha, this inaugural issue tackles the "Blank 4th Century," which is particularly popular and shrouded in mystery within ancient Japanese history. We hope that not only history fans but also those who have had little exposure to ancient history will enjoy it as an entry point to thinking about the 'beginnings of the country called Japan.' )) Product Overview (( Product Name: Monthly "Rekishijin" July 2026 Issue
Feature Name: "The Blank 4th Century and the Mystery of Ancient Emperors"
Format/Pages: A4, 96 pages
Release Date: June 5, 2026
Available at major bookstores and online stores nationwide
Price: 1,210 yen (1,100 yen + 10% tax)
Publisher: Shobunsha Co., Ltd.
*The cover image and representative pages of the July issue will be uploaded here on June 4.