Emperor of Japan Timeline

Traditional reign dates of Emperor Jimmu, Japan's first emperor.

Possible reign dates of Japan's Emperor Sujin.

Reign of Emperor Kimmei in Japan.

Reign of Emperor Senka in Japan.

Reign of Emperor Bidatsu in Japan.

Reign of Emperor Sushun in Japan.

Reign of Empress Suiko, Japan's first empress.

Reign of Prince Shotoku as regent for Japanese Empress Suiko.

Reign of Emperor Jomei in Japan.

Reign of Empress Kogyoku in Japan.

Fujiwara no Kamatari leads a coup d'etat in Japan, removing the Soga clan from power.

Reign of Emperor Kotoku in Japan.

Reign of Emperor Tenji in Japan.

The Jinshin Incident in Japan which establishes Temmu as emperor.

Reign of Emperor Kobun in Japan.

Reign of Emperor Temmu in Japan.

Reign of Empress Jito in Japan.

Reign of Emperor Mommu in Japan.

Reign of Empress Gemmei in Japan.

Reign of Empress Gensho in Japan.

Reign of Emperor Shomu in Japan.

A rebellion led by the Fujiwara exile Hirotsugu is quashed by Emperor Shomu.

First reign of Empress Koken in Japan.

Reign of emperor Junnin in Japan.

Second reign of Empress Koken, now known as Shotoku, in Japan.

Reign of Emperor Konin in Japan.

Reign of Emperor Kammu in Japan.

Emperor Kammu moves the Japanese capital from Nara to Nagaokakyo.

Emperor Kammu moves the Japanese capital to Heiankyo (Kyoto).

Fujiwara no Yoshifusa becomes the first Japanese regent not of royal blood.

Reign of Japan's Emperor Uda

Reign of Japan's Emperor Daigo.

Reign of Japan's Emperor Shirakawa.

The Genpei War in Japan between the Taira and Minamoto clans.

Reign of Japan's Emperor Go-Toba.

Battle of Dannoura where the Minamoto defeat the rival Taira. The young emperor Antoku drowns.

Reign of Japan's Emperor Go-Fukakusa.

Reign of Japan's Emperor Kameyama.

Japan has two competing emperors: the 'Northern and Southern Courts.