Emperor Tenmu

Emperor Tenmu (天武天皇, Tenmu tennō, c. 631 – October 1, 686) was the 40th <a href="/facts/Emperor_of_Japan/efBDe6cj">Emperor of Japan</a>, according to the traditional <a href="/facts/List_of_Emperors_of_Japan/0Jx3ofSh">order of succession</a>. He ascended to the throne following the <a href="/facts/Jinshin_War/99GpEKU5">Jinshin War</a>, during which his army defeated that of <a href="/facts/Emperor_K%25C5%258Dbun/LyleF43N">Emperor Kōbun</a>. Tenmu reigned from 673 until his death in 686, amid <a href="/facts/Hakuh%25C5%258D_period/0UhWr6yJ">Hakuhō period</a> or the late <a href="/facts/Asuka_period/flpJU4DP">Asuka period</a>. 
During his reign, Tenmu implemented political and military reforms, consolidating imperial power and centralizing governance. His foreign policy favored the Korean kingdom of <a href="/facts/Silla/mCPc58jC">Silla</a> while severing diplomatic relations with the <a href="/facts/Tang_dynasty/FFhmVfwM">Tang dynasty</a> of China. He used religious structures to bolster the imperial authority, building several Buddhist temples including <a href="/facts/Yakushi-ji/YqAzo2y2">Yakushi-ji</a> and monasteries as well as strengthening ties with the <a href="/facts/Ise_Shrine/NuRQeQnF">Ise Shrine</a>. He was succeeded by his wife, <a href="/facts/Empress_Jit%25C5%258D/m2xGQeXn">Empress Jitō</a>.

Emperor Tenmu open-in-new

Emperor Tenmu