also: せんのう · せんおう
noun
Archaic term referring to the emperor who reigned immediately before the current one. Used in historical or formal contexts.
先皇の御代には、この地は平和であったと伝えられる。
It is said that this land was peaceful during the reign of the preceding emperor.
Compound of 先 (previous) and 皇 (emperor). The reading せんこう is the most standard; せんのう and せんおう are less common variants.