Emperor Chūai (仲哀天皇) was the 14th 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". This does not necessarily imply that no such person ever existed, just that there is insufficient material to assign him to a historical period.

According to the legend in Kojiki and Nihonshoki, he was a son of Prince Yamatotakeru, therefore a grandson of the Emperor Keiko. His wife was Jingo of Japan.

In a legend, his wife was suddenly possessed by unknown gods. They said they granted him a rich country over the sea. Chuai gave a look to the sea but he saw nothing and he didn't believe in the portent. The gods got angry and declared he would die and never get the promised land but his son who was then in the womb of his empress would get it instead. Chuai died soon and his widow Jingo conquered the promised land, Korea.