noun
imperial line; imperial lineage
Refers to the unbroken hereditary line of Japanese emperors. Formal and historical term.
皇統は神武天皇から続いているとされる。
The imperial line is said to have continued from Emperor Jimmu.
Compound of 皇 (imperial) and 統 (lineage, continuation). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term has been used in formal contexts to refer to the unbroken line of Japanese emperors.