Emperor of Japan

Definition

The emperor of Japan is a position as the head of state which traditionally dates back to the 7th century BCE and the legendary figure of Emperor Jimmu (r. 660-585 BCE). Emperors came to be known as the Tenno or 'heavenly sovereign' in reference to the widely held belief that they were directly descended from the Shinto sun goddess Amaterasu.

More about: Emperor of Japan

Timeline

  • 660 BCE - 585 BCE
    Traditional reign dates of Emperor Jimmu, Japan's first emperor.
  • 97 BCE - 30 BCE
    Possible reign dates of Japan's Emperor Sujin.
  • c. 531 CE - 571 CE
    Reign of Emperor Kimmei in Japan.
  • 535 CE - 539 CE
    Reign of Emperor Senka in Japan.
  • 572 CE - 585 CE
    Reign of Emperor Bidatsu in Japan.
  • 587 CE - 592 CE
    Reign of Emperor Sushun in Japan.
  • 592 CE - 628 CE
    Reign of Empress Suiko, Japan's first empress.
  • 594 CE - 622 CE
    Reign of Prince Shotoku as regent for Japanese Empress Suiko.
  • 629 CE - 641 CE
    Reign of Emperor Jomei in Japan.
  • 642 CE - 645 CE
    Reign of Empress Kogyoku in Japan.
  • 645 CE - 654 CE
    Reign of Emperor Kotoku in Japan.
  • 645 CE
    Fujiwara no Kamatari leads a coup d'etat in Japan, removing the Soga clan from power.
  • 661 CE - 671 CE
    Reign of Emperor Tenji in Japan.
  • 671 CE - 672 CE
    Reign of Emperor Kobun in Japan.
  • 671 CE - 672 CE
    The Jinshin Incident in Japan which establishes Temmu as emperor.
  • 672 CE - 686 CE
    Reign of Emperor Temmu in Japan.
  • 686 CE - 697 CE
    Reign of Empress Jito in Japan.
  • 697 CE - 707 CE
    Reign of Emperor Mommu in Japan.
  • 707 CE - 715 CE
    Reign of Empress Gemmei in Japan.
  • 715 CE - 724 CE
    Reign of Empress Gensho in Japan.
  • 724 CE - 749 CE
    Reign of Emperor Shomu in Japan.
  • 740 CE
    A rebellion led by the Fujiwara exile Hirotsugu is quashed by Emperor Shomu.
  • 749 CE - 758 CE
    First reign of Empress Koken in Japan.
  • 758 CE - 764 CE
    Reign of emperor Junnin in Japan.
  • 764 CE - 770 CE
    Second reign of Empress Koken, now known as Shotoku, in Japan.
  • 770 CE - 781 CE
    Reign of Emperor Konin in Japan.
  • 781 CE - 806 CE
    Reign of Emperor Kammu in Japan.
  • 784 CE
    Emperor Kammu moves the Japanese capital from Nara to Nagaokakyo.
  • 794 CE
    Emperor Kammu moves the Japanese capital to Heiankyo (Kyoto).
  • 866 CE
    Fujiwara no Yoshifusa becomes the first Japanese regent not of royal blood.
  • 887 CE - 897 CE
    Reign of Japan's Emperor Uda
  • 897 CE - 930 CE
    Reign of Japan's Emperor Daigo.
  • 1073 CE - 1087 CE
    Reign of Japan's Emperor Shirakawa.
  • 1180 CE - 1185 CE
    The Genpei War in Japan between the Taira and Minamoto clans.
  • 1183 CE - 1198 CE
    Reign of Japan's Emperor Go-Toba.
  • 1185 CE
    Battle of Dannoura where the Minamoto defeat the rival Taira. The young emperor Antoku drowns.
  • 1246 CE - 1259 CE
    Reign of Japan's Emperor Go-Fukakusa.
  • 1259 CE - 1274 CE
    Reign of Japan's Emperor Kameyama.
  • 1337 CE - 1392 CE
    Japan has two competing emperors: the 'Northern and Southern Courts.
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