Emperor Tenmu 天武天皇 | |||||
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Emperor of Japan | |||||
Reign | 673–686 | ||||
Predecessor | Kōbun | ||||
Successor | Jitō | ||||
Born | Ōama (大海人) 631 | ||||
Died | October 1, 686 | (aged 54–55)||||
Burial | Hinokuma no Ōuchi no misasagi (檜隈大内陵) (Nara) | ||||
Spouse | Uno-no-sarara (later Empress Jitō) | ||||
Issue among others... | |||||
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House | Imperial House of Japan | ||||
Father | Emperor Jomei | ||||
Mother | Empress Kōgyoku | ||||
Religion | Shintoism, later Buddhism |
Emperor Tenmu (天武天皇, Tenmu tennō, c. 631 – October 1, 686) was the 40th Emperor of Japan,[1] according to the traditional order of succession.[2][3] He ascended to the throne following the Jinshin War, during which his army defeated that of Emperor Kōbun. Tenmu reigned from 673 until his death in 686, amid Hakuhō period or the late Asuka period.[4]
During his reign, Tenmu implemented political and military reforms, consolidating imperial power and centralizing governance. His foreign policy favored the Korean kingdom of Silla while severing diplomatic relations with the Tang dynasty of China. He used religious structures to bolster the imperial authority, building several Buddhist temples including Yakushi-ji and monasteries as well as strengthening ties with the Ise Shrine. He was succeeded by his wife, Empress Jitō.