Empress Kōken
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Empress Kōken (孝謙天皇 Kōken Tennō) also Empress Shōtoku (称徳天皇 Shōtoku Tennō) (718 – August 28, 770[1]) was both the 46th and 48th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. She first ruled as Empress Kōken from 749 to 758. She abdicated in favor of her second cousin, Emperor Junnin, but six years later she took the crown from him and reascended the throne. She never renounced her Buddhist vows, setting a precedent. Her posthumous name for her second reign (764-770) was Empress Shōtoku.
Today, she is remembered chiefly for her alleged affair with a Buddhist monk named Dōkyō, a man upon whom she heaped titles and power. The affair illustrated the growing power of the Buddhist priesthood and was a prime factor in Emperor Kammu's decision to move the capital away from Nara in 784. After this affair, there was introduced a law, which forbade a woman to claim the trone of the Empress of Japan (ruler, not consort). It was one of reasons, why there was a major disscusion of abolishing this law recently, because before the birth of the new son of the crownprince early this year (2007), there were no apparent male heirs after the crown prince and the monarchy was endangered in Japan.
Shōtoku died of smallpox, after which she was succeeded by her first cousin twice removed, Emperor Kōnin. She should not be confused with Prince Shōtoku (572-622), who was one of the first in Japan to sponsor Buddhism.
[edit] Notes
- ^ August 28, 770 corresponds to the Fourth Day of the Eighth Month of the Fourth Year of Jingo-keiun of the traditional lunisolar calendar used in Japan until 1873.
[edit] See also
| Preceded by Emperor Shōmu |
Empress of Japan 749-758 |
Succeeded by Emperor Junnin |
| Preceded by Emperor Junnin |
Empress of Japan 764-770 |
Succeeded by Emperor Kōnin |
