Emperor Tenmu

Emperor Tenmu (天武天皇, Tenmu Tennō, c. 631 – 686) was the 40th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned from 673 to 686.

Tenmu is credited with solidifying the power of the imperial court and centralizing government in Japan. He is considered one of the most influential and powerful emperors in Japanese history. His given name was Prince Ōama (大海人皇子, Ōama no ōji).

One of the major events of his pre-imperial life was the Jinshin War (壬申の乱, Jinshin no Ran) in 672, a succession conflict following the death of his brother, Emperor Tenji. Ōama, fearing for his own life due to political tensions with his nephew Prince Ōtomo, eventually took up arms and decisively defeated Ōtomo's forces. This victory allowed him to ascend the throne as Emperor Tenmu.

During his reign, Emperor Tenmu implemented numerous reforms aimed at strengthening the imperial authority. These included:

• The establishment of the Yakusa no Kabane system: A new system of hierarchical ranking for aristocratic families, meant to restructure power dynamics.
• The promotion of Buddhism: Emperor Tenmu was a strong supporter of Buddhism, and his reign saw the construction of numerous temples and monasteries. He decreed that each household should have a Buddhist altar.
• Codification of laws: He initiated the compilation of the Asuka Kiyomihara Code (飛鳥浄御原令, Asuka Kiyomihara-ryō), a legal code that laid the foundation for the later Taihō Code.
• Emphasis on national identity: He encouraged the compilation of historical records to legitimize imperial rule and promote a unified national identity. The Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, the earliest extant chronicles of Japanese history, were commissioned during his reign (though completed after his death).
• Land Reform: He continued the land reform policies initiated during the reign of Emperor Tenji, aimed at centralizing control over land ownership and taxation.

Emperor Tenmu's legacy is significant, as he played a crucial role in shaping the early Japanese state and establishing the foundations for future imperial power. He was succeeded by his wife, Empress Jitō.