According to Kiki (Kojiki and Nihonshoki), Emperor Keitai, 'the fifth generation descendant of Emperor Ojin' was received from Echizen Province (or Omi Province) and took the throne in conformity with the request of a crowd of his subjects because the late Emperor Buretsu did not have an inheritor.
記紀によると、先代の武烈天皇に後嗣がなかったため、越前（近江国とも）から「応神天皇5世の孫」である継体天皇が迎えられ、群臣の要請に従って即位したとされる。