Who Is Emperor Sujin (Sujin Tenno)?
The tenth emperor, who ended a plague
Mimakiiribiko-Inie-no-Mikoto
Emperor Sujin is the figure the Kojiki names as the tenth emperor of Japan; his name was Mimakiiribiko-Inie.
During his reign a plague spread, and the people were on the verge of dying out. When the grieving emperor slept on a sacred bed, Omononushi appeared in a dream and said, "Have Otataneko worship me." The emperor sent messengers in every direction and found Otataneko in the village of Mino in Kawachi. With Otataneko as priest, the god of Mount Miwa was worshipped and shrines for other gods were established — and the plague ended and the land was at peace.
The Kojiki praises him as "the emperor who first ruled the land." Some scholars suggest he may be the earliest emperor who actually existed.
