Emperor Tenmu

Uncommon card · No. 195284

Emperor Tenmu (also romanized Temmu, c. 630 – 686) was the 40th emperor of Japan according to the traditional order of succession. The son of Emperor Jomei and Empress Kōgyoku, he was born Prince Ōama around 630. Ruling from 673 to 686, during the Asuka period, his life is mainly documented by the chronicles Nihon Shoki and Kojiki, as well as the poetry collection Man'yōshū. Little is known of Ōama's early life. During the rule of his elder brother Tenji, Ōama was ambiguously favored as his successor, but was gradually bypassed in favor of Tenji's son Prince Ōtomo. Tenji allegedly offered Ōama the throne during an illness in 671, but fearing a conspiracy against him, Ōama declined and left to serve as a monk at Yoshino Palace. Tenji died soon after. The following year, Ōama received word that Ōtomo, now ruler, was planning to kill him. He fled Yoshino with a group of followers, beginning the Jinshin War. Along with a group of retainers and the governor of Ise Province, Ōama was able to...

Read on Wikipedia · Image Xwdgtpwga, CC0