Joya Hachi

Joya Hachi (하치, born 1980) is the Emperor of Metzetta. He ascended to the throne in 2022 following the death of his father, Emperor Rindo. He is the 170th monarch according to Metzetta's traditional order of succession. Hachi was born in Hanzeong as the second child (oldest son) of Rindo and Hikano during the reign of Empress Seunsi. He became the heir apparent following his father's ascension to the throne in 2001 and was formally invested as crown prince in 2002. He attended Ankae's Daekang University to study history, graduating in 2001. He married in 2004 and has three sons; Hui, Hakan and Gyongi. Hachi is an advocate for endangered plant species and plays the clarinet. His name roughly translates as "Man Who Breathes Life." In standard Metzettan practice his name is rendered with surname preceeding given name, however in practice his family name is never used and he is simply referred to as Emperor Hachi.

Early Life

Hachi was born in 1980 in the Imperial Household Hospital in Hanzeong. At the time the monarch was Emperor Seunsi who would rule until 1989 before being succeeded by her cousin Hakan. Hachi has reported in interviews that his childhood was a happy one; he enjoyed sports and was a cross-country runner in high school, and learned to play the clarinet from a young age. When Hachi was 11, Seozwi took over as Emperor following Hakan's death; Seozwi was Hachi's great-grandfather and following his passing in 1995, Hachi's grandmother Joya ascended to the throne, making his father the crown prince. Joya reigned until Hachi was 21; when he was 22 he officially became crown prince himself. As crown prince he undertook some royal duties including state visits on his father's behalf.

Education

From the age of 4, Hachi was enrolled in prestigious schools in Hanzeong. In high school he enjoyed cross-country running and rowing, joined the school orchestra and joined the Model League of Nations. He learned English, Latin and Corummese in preparation for his ambassadorial duties. Hachi graduated from Daekang University with a degree in History in 2001. His dissertation related to Jalqolak's role in the Second Great War. While at university he was enrolled in the Rowing Club and the Society of Amateur Botanists, and also took up badminton.

Reign

Hachi was 42 years old at the time of his ascension to the throne; on the day of his ascension the Coronation Bombings took place. His first state visit as regent was to Urcea.

Hachi is the first Metzettan Emperor to make an official state visit to The Cape; despite booing and jeers from crowds of locals he was able to discuss trade and culture.

State Visits

As Prince

Corumm, 1998

As Crown Prince

Urcea, 2003

Corumm, 2004

Shingtu, 2007

Caphiria, 2008

Jalqolak, 2013

Cartadania, 2019

As Emperor

Urcea, 2022

Corumm, 2022

Zaclaria, 2024

The Cape, 2025

Caphiria, 2026

Titles, Styles and Honours

From birth Hachi was styled as His Imperial Highness Prince Hachi. From 2002 he was known as His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Hachi and from 2022 he became known as His Imperial Majesty Emperor Hachi.

National Honours

Grand Cordon of The Supreme Order of Taeyang (2022)

Grand Cordon of The Order of The Magnolia Tree (2002)

Order of Culture (2001)