noun
emperor; Son of Heaven
Refers to the emperor in a traditional Chinese-influenced context, emphasizing a heavenly mandate to rule. Often used in historical or formal settings.
天子は天の命を受けて国を治めた。
The emperor ruled the country by the mandate of heaven.
noun
heavenly being; celestial being
A less common, more literary or mythological sense referring to a divine or celestial entity. Not used in everyday conversation.
伝説では、天子が天から降りてきたとされる。
Legend has it that a heavenly being descended from the sky.
Standard kanji spelling for the emperor or heavenly being.
From Chinese 天子 (tiānzǐ), literally 'Son of Heaven', referring to the emperor as the one who receives the mandate of heaven.