Emperor Kōshō (孝昭天皇) was the fifth imperial ruler of Japan to appear on the traditional list of emperors. No firm date can be assigned to this emperor and he is regarded by historians as a "legendary emperor". He was the fourth one of eight emperors without legend. In Kojiki and Nihonshoki only his name and genealogy were recorded. His historical existence was believed traditionally and a tomb was attributed to him, but contemporary studies support the view that no such person existed.
His posthumous name literally means "filial manifestation."
