Emperor Tenmu
The emperor who seized the throne in the Jinshin War and advanced the ritsuryo state and the compilation of histories.
Life
Retreat to Yoshino
Emperor Tenmu, originally Prince Oama, was the younger brother of Emperor Tenji. In his later years Tenji wanted to pass the throne to his son Prince Otomo, so Oama became a monk and retired to Yoshino.
Jinshin War
After Tenji died in 672 CE, he rose in revolt at Yoshino and defeated Prince Otomo, an event known as the "Jinshin War"; the following year he took the throne at Asuka. He relied on members of the imperial family, weakened the powerful clans, instituted the system of eight hereditary ranks (yakusa no kabane), and advanced the ritsuryo system; according to the records, the title "tenno" (emperor) and the country name "Japan" came into use in his time.
Ritsuryo codes
He ordered the compilation of a national history, which later became the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki. He died in 686 CE, and his empress succeeded him as Empress Jito.
Legacy
Emperor Tenmu strengthened the power of the emperor and laid the foundations of Japan's ancient ritsuryo state.
Did you know? His empress, Princess Uno-no-sarara, succeeded to the throne as Empress Jito and completed the building of Fujiwara-kyo.
Key dates
- 671Becomes a monk and retires to Yoshino
- 672Jinshin War
- 673Accession
- 681Orders the compilation of the Ritsuryo codes and a national history
- 686Died