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{{Short description|Empress of Japan from 707 to 715}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2012}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Infobox royalty {{Infobox royalty
| name = Empress Genmei<br>{{nobold|{{lang|ja|元明天皇}}}}
| name = Gemmei
| image = Empress Gemmei.jpg
| succession = ]
| succession = ]
| reign = 707–715
| reign = August 18, 707 – October 3, 715
| styles = Empress Dowager Gemmei (715–721)<br />Empress of Japan (707–715)<br /> Princess Abe
| predecessor = ] | predecessor = ]
| successor = ] | successor = ]
| posthumous name = ]:<br/>Empress Genmei ({{lang|ja|元明天皇}})<br/><br/>]:<br/>Yamato-neko-amatsumiyo-toyokuni-narihime no Sumeramikoto ({{lang|ja|日本根子天津御代豊国成姫天皇}})
| spouse = ]
| spouse = ]
| issue = Prince Karu (])<br>Princess Hidaka (])<br><!-- ] -->
| issue = {{plainlist|
| father = ]
* ]
| mother = Soga no Mei-no-iratsume
* ]
| birth_date =660
* Princess Kibi}}
| birth_place =
| royal house = ]
| death_date ={{Death date and age|721|12|29|660|2|4}}
| father = ]
| death_place =], ]
| mother = Soga no Mei-no-iratsume
| place of burial =''Nahoyama no higashi no misasagi'' (Nara)
| birth_name = Ahe ({{lang|ja|阿閇}} ''or'' {{lang|ja|阿部}})
|}}
| birth_date = April 20, 660
{{nihongo|'''Empress Gemmei'''|元明天皇|Gemmei-]|660 – December 29, 721}}, also known as Empress Genmyō, was the 43rd ],<ref name="kunaicho">] (''Kunaichō''): ; retrieved 2013-8-22.</ref> according to the traditional ].<ref>]. (1959). ''The Imperial House of Japan,'' p. 56.</ref>
| birth_place =
| death_date = {{Death date and age|721|12|29|660|2|4}}{{cn|date=December 2023}}
| death_place = ], Japan
| place of burial = ''Nahoyama no higashi no misasagi'' (奈保山東陵) (Nara)|
}}


Gemmei's reign spanned the years 707 through 715.<ref>]. (1834). {{Google books|18oNAAAAIAAJ|''Annales des empereurs du Japon,'' pp. 63–65|page=63}}; ] (1979). ''Gukanshō,'' p. 271; ]. (1980). ''Jinnō Shōtōki.'' p. 140.</ref> {{nihongo|'''Empress Genmei'''|元明天皇|Genmei-tennō|April 20, 660 – December 29, 721}}, also known as '''Empress Genmyō''', was the 43rd ],<ref name="kunaicho">] (''Kunaichō''): ; retrieved August 22, 2013.</ref> according to the traditional ].<ref>]. (1959). ''The Imperial House of Japan'', p. 56.</ref> Genmei's reign spanned the years 707 through 715.<ref>]. (1834). {{Google books|18oNAAAAIAAJ|''Annales des empereurs du Japon'', pp. 63–65|page=63}}; ] (1979). ''Gukanshō'', p. 271; ]. (1980). ''Jinnō Shōtōki''. p. 140.</ref> She established the capital at ] in 710, marking the beginning of the ].


In the ], Gemmei was the fourth of eight women to take on the role of ]. The three female monarchs before Gemmei were: (a) ], (b) ], and (c) ]. The four women sovereigns reigning after Gemmei were (d) ], (e) ], (f) ], and (g) ]. In the ], Genmei was the fourth of eight women to take on the role of ]. The three female monarchs before Genmei were ], ], and ]. The four women sovereigns reigning after Genmei were ], ], ], and ].


==Traditional narrative== ==Traditional narrative==
Before her ascension to the ], her personal name ('']'')<ref>Brown, pp. 264; prior to ], the personal names of the emperors (''imina'') were very long and people did not generally use them. The number of characters in each name diminished after Jomei's reign.</ref> was Abe''-hime''.<ref name="b271">Brown, p. 271.</ref> Before her ascension to the ], her personal name ('']'')<ref>Brown, pp. 264; prior to ], the personal names of the emperors (''imina'') were very long and people did not generally use them. The number of characters in each name diminished after Jomei's reign.</ref> was Abe''-hime''.<ref name="b271">Brown, p. 271.</ref>


Empress Gemmei was the fourth daughter of ];<ref name="b271" /> and she was a younger sister of ] by a different mother. Her mother, Mei-no-Iratsume (also known as Soga''-hime''), was a daughter of '']'' Soga-no-Kura-no-Yamada-no-Ishikawa-no-Maro (also known as Soga Yamada-no Ō-omi).<ref name="b271"/> Empress Genmei was the fourth daughter of ];<ref name="b271" /> and she was a younger sister of ] by a different mother. Her mother, Mei-no-Iratsume (also known as Soga''-hime''), was a daughter of '']'' Soga-no-Kura-no-Yamada-no-Ishikawa-no-Maro (also known as Soga Yamada-no Ō-omi).<ref name="b271"/>


===Events of Gemmei's life=== ===Events of Genmei's life===
Gemmei became the consort (''nyōgo'') of Crown Prince ], who was the son of ] and ].<ref name="b271"/> After the death of their son ] in 707, she acceded to the throne.<ref name="pf56">Ponsonby-Fane, p. 56.</ref> At least one account suggests that she accepted the role of empress because Emperor Mommu felt his young son, her grandson, was still too young to withstand the pressures which attend becoming emperor.<ref name="t63">Titsingh, p. 63.</ref> Genmei became the consort (''nyōgo'') of Crown Prince ], who was the son of ] and ].<ref name="b271"/> After the death of their son ] in 707, she acceded to the throne.<ref name="pf56">Ponsonby-Fane, p. 56.</ref> At least one account suggests that she accepted the role of empress because Emperor Monmu felt his young son, her grandson, was still too young to withstand the pressures which attend becoming emperor.<ref name="t63">Titsingh, p. 63.</ref>


* '''July 18, 707''' (''] 4, 15th day of the 6th month'')<!-- 慶雲四年六月十五日 -->: In the 11th year of Mommu''-tennō'' 's reign (文武天皇211年), the emperor died; and the succession (''senso'') was received by the emperor's mother, who held the throne in trust for her young grandson. Shortly thereafter, Empress Gemmei is said to have acceded to the throne (''sokui'').<ref>Brown, p. 271; Varley, p. 44; a distinct act of ''senso'' is unrecognized prior to ]; and all sovereigns except ], ], ], and ] have ''senso'' and ''sokui'' in the same year until the reign of ].</ref> * '''July 18, 707''' (''] 4, 15th day of the 6th month'')<!-- 慶雲四年六月十五日 -->: In the 11th year of Monmu''-tennō''{{'}}s reign (文武天皇十一年), the emperor died; and the succession (''senso'') was received by the emperor's mother, who held the throne in trust for her young grandson. Shortly thereafter, Empress Genmei is said to have acceded to the throne (''sokui'').<ref>Brown, p. 271; Varley, p. 44; a distinct act of ''senso'' is unrecognized prior to ]; and all sovereigns except ], ], ], and ] have ''senso'' and ''sokui'' in the same year until the reign of ].</ref>
]'' monument in Saitama]] ]'' monument in Saitama]]
* '''707''' (''Keiun 4''): Deposits of copper were reported to have been found in ]<ref>]. (1915). ''The Imperial Family of Japan,'' p. x.</ref> in ] in the region which includes modern day Tokyo;<ref name="t63"/> * '''707''' (''Keiun 4''): Deposits of copper were reported to have been found in ]<ref>]. (1915). ''The Imperial Family of Japan,'' p. x.</ref> in ] in the region which includes modern day Tokyo;<ref name="t63"/>
* '''708''' (''Keiun 5''):, The era name was about to be changed to mark the accession of Empress Gemmei; but the choice of ''Wadō'' as the new '']'' for this new reign became a way to mark the welcome discovery of copper.<ref name="t63"/> The Japanese word for copper is ''dō'' (銅); and since this was indigenous copper, the ''"wa"'' (the ancient Chinese term for Japan) could be combined with the ''"dō"'' (copper) to create a new composite term – ''"wadō"'' – meaning "Japanese copper." * '''708''' (''Keiun 5''):, The era name was about to be changed to mark the accession of Empress Genmei; but the choice of ''Wadō'' as the new '']'' for this new reign became a way to mark the welcome discovery of copper.<ref name="t63"/> The Japanese word for copper is ''dō'' (銅); and since this was indigenous copper, the ''"wa"'' (the ancient Chinese term for Japan) could be combined with the ''"dō"'' (copper) to create a new composite term – ''"wadō"'' – meaning "Japanese copper."
* '''May 5, 708''' (''] 1, 11th day of the 4th month'')<!-- 和銅一年四月十一日 -->: A sample of the newly discovered Musashi copper from was presented in Genmei's Court where it was formally acknowledged as "Japanese" copper;<ref>Japan Mint Museum: </ref> and a ] was established in ].<ref name="pf56"/>
* '''708''' (''Wadō 1, 3rd month''): Fuijwara no Fuhito was named Minister of the Right (''Udaijin'') . Isonokami no Maro was Minister of the Left ('']'').<ref name="t64">Titsingh, p. 64.</ref>
* '''709''' (''Wadō 2, 3rd month''): There was an uprising against governmental authority in ] and in ]. Troops were promptly dispatched to subdue the revolt.<ref name="t64"/>
* '''709''' (''Wadō 2, 5th month''): Ambassadors arrived from ], bringing an offer of tribute. He visited ] to prepare the way for further visits.<ref>Titsingh, ; Aoki (1989: 149)Aoki, Kazuo ''et al.'' (1989). ''Shin Nihon Koten Bungaku Taikei 12: Shoku Nihongi I,'' p. 149. (in Japanese).</ref>
]
* '''710''' (''Wadō 3, 3rd month''): Empress Genmei established her official residence in ].<ref name="pf56"/> In the last years of the Mommu's reign, the extensive preparations for this projected move had begun; but the work could not be completed before the late-emperor's death.<ref name="t64"/> Shortly after the ''nengō'' was changed to ''Wadō'', an Imperial Rescript was issued concerning the establishment of a new capital at the ] at Nara in ]. It had been customary since ancient times for the capital to be moved with the beginning of each new reign. However, Emperor Mommu decided not to move the capital, preferring instead to stay at the Fujiwara Palace which had been established by Empress Jitō.<ref name="v140">Varley, p. 140.</ref> Empress Genmei's palace was named Nara-no-miya.<ref name="b271"/>
* '''711''' (''Wadō 4, 3rd month''): The ] was published in three volumes. This work presented a history of Japan from a mythological period of god-rulers up through the 28th day of the 1st month of the fifth year of ]'s reign (597).<ref name="t64"/> ] failed to bring the work to completion before his death in 686. Empress Genmei, along with other court officials, deserve credit for continuing to patronize and encourage the mammoth project.
* '''712''' (''Wadō 5''): The ] was separated from ].<ref name="t64"/>
* '''713''' (''Wadō 6, 3rd month''): ] was separated from ]; ] was divided from ]; and ] was divided from ].<ref name="t64"/>
* '''713''' (''Wadō 6''): The compilation of '']'' was begun with the imprimatur of an Imperial decree; and copies of the census of the provinces of ], ], ] and two other provinces still exist.<ref name="pf56"/> This work was intended to describe all provinces, cities, mountains, rivers, valleys and plains. It is intended to become a catalog of the plants, trees, birds, and mammals of Japan. It also intended to contain information about all of the remarkable events which, from ancient times to the present, have happened in the country.<ref name="t64"/>
* '''713''' (''Wadō 6''): The road which traverses ] and ] was widened to accommodate travelers; and the road was widened in the ] of modern ].<ref name="t64"/>
After Empress Genmei transferred the seat of her government to Nara, this mountain location remained the capital throughout the succeeding seven reigns.<ref name="v140"/> In a sense, the years of the ] developed into one of the more significant consequences of her comparatively short reign.


Genmei had initially planned to remain on the throne until her grandson might reach maturity. However, in 715, Genmei did abdicate in favor of Mommu's older sister who then became known as ]. Genshō was eventually succeeded by her nephew, who then became known as ].
* '''May 5, 708''' (''] 1, 11th day of the 4th month'')<!-- 和銅一年四月十一日 -->: A sample of the newly discovered Musashi copper from was presented in Gemmei's Court where it was formally acknowledged as "Japanese" copper;<ref>Japan Mint Museum: </ref> and a ] was established in ].<ref name="pf56"/>
* '''708''' (''Wadō 1, 3rd month''): Fuijwara no Fuhito was named Minister of the Right (''Udaijin'') . Iso-kami Marō was Minister of the Left ('']'').<ref name="t64">Titsingh, p. 64.</ref>
* '''709''' (''Wadō 2, 3rd month''): There was an uprising against governmental authority in ] and in ]. Troops were promptly dispatched to subdue the revolt.<ref name="t64"/>
* '''709''' (''Wadō 2, 5th month''): Ambassadors arrived from ], bringing an offer of tribute. He visited ] to prepare the way for further visits.<ref>Titsingh, Aoki (1989: 149)Aoki, Kazuo ''et al.'' (1989). ''Shin Nihon Koten Bungaku Taikei 12: Shoku Nihongi I,'' p. 149. (in Japanese).</ref>
* '''710''' (''Wadō 3, 3rd month''): Empress Gemmei established her official residence in ].<ref name="pf56"/> In the last years of the Mommu's reign, the extensive preparations for this projected move had begun; but the work could not be completed before the late-emperor's death.<ref name="t64"/> Shortly after the ''nengō'' was changed to ''Wadō'', an Imperial Rescript was issued concerning the establishment of a new capital at the ] at Nara in ]. It had been customary since ancient times for the capital to be moved with the beginning of each new reign. However, Emperor Mommu decided not to move the capital, preferring instead to stay at the Fujiwara Palace which had been established by Empress Jitō.<ref name="v140">Varley, p. 140.</ref> Empress Gemmei's palace was named Nara-no-miya.<ref name="b271"/>
* '''711''' (''Wadō 4, 3rd month''): The ] was published in three volumes. This work presented a history of Japan from a mythological period of god-rulers up through the 28th day of the 1st month of the fifth year of ]'s reign (597).<ref name="t64"/> ] failed to bring the work to completion before his death in 686. Empress Gemmei, along with other court officials, deserve credit for continuing to patronize and encourage the mammoth project.
* '''712''' (''Wadō 5''): The ] was separated from ].<ref name="t64"/>
* '''713''' (''Wadō 6, 3rd month''): ] was separated from ]; ] was divided from ]; and ] was divided from ].<ref name="t64"/>
* '''713''' (''Wadō 6''): The compilation of '']'' was begun with the imprimatur of an Imperial decree; and copies of the census of the provinces of ], ], ] and two other provinces still exist.<ref name="pf56"/> This work was intended to described of all provinces, cities, mountains, rivers, valleys and plains. It is intended to become a catalog of the plants, trees, birds, and mammals of Japan. It also intended to contain information about all of the remarkable events which, from ancient times to the present, have happened in the country.<ref name="t64"/>
* '''713''' (''Wadō 6''): The road which traverses ] and ] was widened to accommodate travelers; and the road was widened in the ] of modern ].<ref name="t64"/>
After Empress Gemmei transferred the seat of her government to Nara, this mountain location remained the capital throughout the succeeding seven reigns.<ref name="v140"/> In a sense, the years of the ] developed into one of the more significant consequences of her comparatively short reign.


* '''715''' (''Wadō 8''): Genmei abdicates in favor of her daughter, Empress Genshō.<ref>Titsingh, pp. 64–65.</ref>
Gemmei had initially planned to remain on the throne until her grandson might reach maturity. However, in 715, Gemmei did abdicate in favor of Mommu's older sister who then became known as ]. Genshō was eventually succeeded by her younger brother, who then became known as ].


The Empress reigned for eight years.<ref name="pf56"/> Although there were seven other reigning empresses, their successors were most often selected from amongst the males of the paternal Imperial bloodline, which is why some conservative scholars argue that the women's reigns were temporary and that male-only succession tradition must be maintained in the 21st century.<ref>Yoshida, Reiji. ''Japan Times.'' March 27, 2007; retrieved August 22, 2013.</ref> Empress Genmei, who was followed on the throne by her daughter, remains the sole exception to this conventional argument.
* '''715''' (''Wadō 8''): Gemmei resigns as empress in favor of her daughter, who will be known as Empress Genshō.<ref>Titsingh, pp. 64–65.</ref>


After abdicating, she was known as '']''; and she was only the second woman after Empress Jitō to claim this title. Genmei lived in retirement for seven years until her death at the age of 61 in December 721.<ref name="v140" />
The Empress reigned for eight years.<ref name="pf56"/> Although there were seven other reigning empresses, their successors were most often selected from amongst the males of the paternal Imperial bloodline, which is why some conservative scholars argue that the women's reigns were temporary and that male-only succession tradition must be maintained in the 21st century.<ref> Yoshida, Reiji. ''Japan Times.'' March 27, 2007; retrieved 2013-8-22.</ref> Empress Gemmei, who was followed on the throne by her daughter, remains the sole exception to this conventional argument.


The actual site of Genmei's ] is known.<ref name="kunaicho"/> This empress is traditionally venerated at a ] ] ] (''misasagi'') in Narazaka-cho, ] which has been designated by the ] as Genmei's ]. <ref>Nara City Tourist Association: ; {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226045218/http://narashikanko.jp/english/kan_spot_data/e_si74.html |date=December 26, 2007 }} {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227162302/http://narashikanko.jp/english/aria_map/map_pdf/5.pdf |date=February 27, 2008 }}</ref> The "mountain shape" ''misasagi'' was named ''Nahoyama-no-higashi no misasagi.''<ref name="pf420">Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1959). ''The Imperial House of Japan,'' p. 420.</ref>
After abdicating, she was known as '']''; and she was only the second woman after Empress Jitō to claim this title. Gemmei lived in retirement for seven years until her death at the age of 61.<ref name="v140" />

The actual site of Gemmei's ] is known.<ref name="kunaicho"/> This empress is traditionally venerated at a ] ] ] (''misasagi'') at Nara.

The ] designates this location as Gemmei's ]. Gemmei's Imperial ''misasagi'' or mausoleum can be visited today in Narazaka-cho, ].<ref>Naracity Tourist Association: </ref> The "mountain shape" ''misasagi'' was named ''Nahoyama-no-higashi no misasagi.''<ref name="pf420">Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1959). ''The Imperial House of Japan,'' p. 420.</ref>


===Poetry=== ===Poetry===
The ] includes a poem written said to be composed by Empress Gemmei in 708 (''Wadō 1'') – and this anthology also includes a reply created by one of the ladies of her court:: The '']'' includes a poem written said to be composed by Empress Genmei in 708 (''Wadō 1'') – and this anthology also includes a reply created by one of the ladies of her court::
:::Listen to the sounds of the warriors' elbow-guards;<ref>''Nippon Gakujutsu Shinkokai''. (1969). ''The Manyōshu,'' p. 81 n1; elbow guards were made of leather and were worn on the left arm to prevent the bow-string from springing back and hurting the elbow. The string struck the elbow-guard with a loud sound.</ref> :::Listen to the sounds of the warriors' elbow-guards;<ref>''Nippon Gakujutsu Shinkokai''. (1969). ''The Manyōshu,'' p. 81 n1; elbow guards were made of leather and were worn on the left arm to prevent the bow-string from springing back and hurting the elbow. The string struck the elbow-guard with a loud sound.</ref>
::::Our captain must be ranging the shields to drill the troops.<ref>''Nippon Gakujutsu Shinkokai'', p. 81 n2; this poem probably alludes to the expeditionary force that was sent against the ] in northern Japan in 709 (''Wadō 2'').</ref> ::::Our captain must be ranging the shields to drill the troops.<ref>''Nippon Gakujutsu Shinkokai'', p. 81 n2; this poem probably alludes to the expeditionary force that was sent against the ] in northern Japan in 709 (''Wadō 2'').</ref>
:::::: – Gemmei''-tennō''<ref name="gs81">''Nippon Gakujutsu Shinkokai'', p. 81.</ref> :::::: – Genmei''-tennō''<ref name="gs81">''Nippon Gakujutsu Shinkokai'', p. 81.</ref>


:::Reply: :::Reply:
Line 71: Line 75:
:::I, whom the ancestral gods endowed with life, :::I, whom the ancestral gods endowed with life,
:::Next of kin to yourself? :::Next of kin to yourself?
:::::: – Minabé''-hime''<ref name="gs81"/> :::::: – Minabe-''hime''<ref name="gs81"/>


===Kugyō=== ===Kugyō===
'']'' (公卿) is a collective term for the very few most powerful men attached to the court of the ] in pre-] eras. '']'' (公卿) is a collective term for the very few most powerful men attached to the court of the ] in pre-] eras.


In general, this elite group included only three to four men at a time. These were hereditary courtiers whose experience and background would have brought them to the pinnacle of a life's career. During Gemmei's reign, this apex of the '']'' included: In general, this elite group included only three to four men at a time. These were hereditary courtiers whose experience and background would have brought them to the pinnacle of a life's career. During Genmei's reign, this apex of the '']'' included:
* '']'', Hozumi''-shinnō''.<ref name="b271"/> * '']'', ].<ref name="b271"/>
* '']'', Iso-no-Kami no Maro (石上麻呂).<ref name="b271"/> 708–717 * '']'', ] (石上麻呂).<ref name="b271"/> 708–717
* '']'', ] (藤原不比等).<ref name="b271"/> 708–720 * '']'', ] (藤原不比等).<ref name="b271"/> 708–720
* '']'' * '']''
* '']'' * '']''
==Spouse and children==
Empress Genmei was born to ] and his concubine, Soga no Mei-no-iratsume, who held the rank of ] (Beauty). She initially was named Princess Abe (阿閇皇女). She had an elder sister by the same mother: ].


Princess Abe married ], her eldest half-sister's son, and had issues: two daughters among which the eldest would become ] and one son who would ascend the throne as ].
==Eras of Gemmei's reign==
* Husband: ] (草壁皇子, d. 10 May 689), son of ] and ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://reichsarchiv.jp/%e5%ae%b6%e7%b3%bb%e3%83%aa%e3%82%b9%e3%83%88/%e5%a4%a9%e7%9a%87%e5%ae%b6#040a|title=Genealogy|website=Reichsarchiv|date=April 30, 2010 |access-date=January 27, 2018|language=ja}}</ref>
** First Daughter: Princess Hidaka (氷高皇女) later ]
** First Son: Prince Karu (珂瑠/軽) later ]
** Second Daughter: Imperial Princess Kibi (吉備内親王, 686–729) married ]

==Eras of Genmei's reign==
The years of Genmei's reign are more specifically identified by more than one ] or '']''.<ref name="t63"/> The years of Genmei's reign are more specifically identified by more than one ] or '']''.<ref name="t63"/>
* '']'' (704–708) * '']'' (704–708)
* '']'' (708–715) * '']'' (708–715)
* '']'' (715–717) * '']'' (715–717)

==Ancestry==
{{ahnentafel
|collapsed=yes |align=center |ref=<ref name=descent>{{cite web|url=https://reichsarchiv.jp/%e5%ae%b6%e7%b3%bb%e3%83%aa%e3%82%b9%e3%83%88/%e5%a4%a9%e7%9a%87%e5%ae%b6#emp043|title=Genealogy|website=Reichsarchiv|date=April 30, 2010 |access-date=January 27, 2018|language=ja}}</ref>
|boxstyle_1=background-color: #fcc;
|boxstyle_2=background-color: #fb9;
|boxstyle_3=background-color: #ffc;
|boxstyle_4=background-color: #bfc;
|boxstyle_5=background-color: #9fe;
|1= 1. '''Empress Genmei'''
|2= 2. ] (626–672)
|3= 3. ]
|4= 4. ] (593–641)
|5= 5. ] (594–661)
|6= 6. ] (d. c. 649)
|7=
|8= 8. Prince ]
|9= 9. Princess ] (c. 570–664)
|10=10. ]
|11=11. ] (d. 643)
|12=12. ]
|13=
|14=
|15=
|16=16. ] (538–585)
|17=17. ] (d. c. 575)
|18=18. ] (538–585)
|19=19. Unako no Otoshi
|20=20. Prince ]
|21=21. Princess ] (c. 570–664)
|22=22. ] (560–587)
|23=
|24=24. ] (551–626)
|25=
|26=
|27=
|28=
|29=
|30=
|31=
}}


==See also== ==See also==
* ] * ]
* ] * ]
* ] ** ]
* ] * ]


==Notes== ==Notes==
] — a stylized ] blossom]] ] – a stylized ] blossom]]
{{reflist|1}} {{Reflist}}


==References== ==References==
Line 103: Line 156:
| last = Aoki | last = Aoki
| first = Kazuo | first = Kazuo
| coauthors = Kōji Inaoka, Haruo Sasayama, Noriyuki Shirafuji |author2=Kōji Inaoka |author3=Haruo Sasayama |author4=Noriyuki Shirafuji
| title = Shin Nihon Koten Bungaku Taikei 12: Shoku Nihongi I | title = Shin Nihon Koten Bungaku Taikei 12: Shoku Nihongi I
| publisher = ] | publisher = ]
| year = 1989 | year = 1989
Line 110: Line 163:
| isbn = 4-00-240012-3 | isbn = 4-00-240012-3
}} }}
* ] and Ichirō Ishida, eds. (1979). Berkeley: University of California Press. 10-ISBN 0-520-03460-0; 13-ISBN 978-0-520-03460-0; * ] and Ichirō Ishida, eds. (1979). Berkeley: University of California Press. {{ISBN|978-0-520-03460-0}};
* ]. (1959). Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society. * ]. (1959). Kyoto: Ponsonby Memorial Society.
* ] (1834). '']''; ou, Paris: Royal Asiatic Society, Oriental Translation Fund of Great Britain and Ireland. * ] (1834). '']''; ou, Paris: Royal Asiatic Society, Oriental Translation Fund of Great Britain and Ireland.
* ] (1980). New York: Columbia University Press. 10-ISBN 0-231-04940-4; 13-ISBN 978-0-231-04940-5; * ] (1980). New York: Columbia University Press. {{ISBN|978-0-231-04940-5}};


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Latest revision as of 14:40, 15 December 2024

Empress of Japan from 707 to 715

Empress Genmei
元明天皇
Empress of Japan
ReignAugust 18, 707 – October 3, 715
PredecessorMonmu
SuccessorGenshō
BornAhe (阿閇 or 阿部)
April 20, 660
DiedDecember 29, 721(721-12-29) (aged 61)
Nara, Japan
BurialNahoyama no higashi no misasagi (奈保山東陵) (Nara)
SpousePrince Kusakabe
Issue
Posthumous name
Chinese-style shigō:
Empress Genmei (元明天皇)

Japanese-style shigō:
Yamato-neko-amatsumiyo-toyokuni-narihime no Sumeramikoto (日本根子天津御代豊国成姫天皇)
HouseImperial House of Japan
FatherEmperor Tenji
MotherSoga no Mei-no-iratsume

Empress Genmei (元明天皇, Genmei-tennō, April 20, 660 – December 29, 721), also known as Empress Genmyō, was the 43rd monarch of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Genmei's reign spanned the years 707 through 715. She established the capital at Heijō-kyō in 710, marking the beginning of the Nara period.

In the history of Japan, Genmei was the fourth of eight women to take on the role of empress regnant. The three female monarchs before Genmei were Suiko, Kōgyoku/Saimei, and Jitō. The four women sovereigns reigning after Genmei were Genshō, Kōken/Shōtoku, Meishō, and Go-Sakuramachi.

Traditional narrative

Before her ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, her personal name (imina) was Abe-hime.

Empress Genmei was the fourth daughter of Emperor Tenji; and she was a younger sister of Empress Jitō by a different mother. Her mother, Mei-no-Iratsume (also known as Soga-hime), was a daughter of Udaijin Soga-no-Kura-no-Yamada-no-Ishikawa-no-Maro (also known as Soga Yamada-no Ō-omi).

Events of Genmei's life

Genmei became the consort (nyōgo) of Crown Prince Kusakabe no Miko, who was the son of Emperor Tenmu and Empress Jitō. After the death of their son Emperor Monmu in 707, she acceded to the throne. At least one account suggests that she accepted the role of empress because Emperor Monmu felt his young son, her grandson, was still too young to withstand the pressures which attend becoming emperor.

  • July 18, 707 (Keiun 4, 15th day of the 6th month): In the 11th year of Monmu-tennō's reign (文武天皇十一年), the emperor died; and the succession (senso) was received by the emperor's mother, who held the throne in trust for her young grandson. Shortly thereafter, Empress Genmei is said to have acceded to the throne (sokui).
Wadōkaichin monument in Saitama
  • 707 (Keiun 4): Deposits of copper were reported to have been found in Chichibu in Musashi Province in the region which includes modern day Tokyo;
  • 708 (Keiun 5):, The era name was about to be changed to mark the accession of Empress Genmei; but the choice of Wadō as the new nengō for this new reign became a way to mark the welcome discovery of copper. The Japanese word for copper is dō (銅); and since this was indigenous copper, the "wa" (the ancient Chinese term for Japan) could be combined with the "dō" (copper) to create a new composite term – "wadō" – meaning "Japanese copper."
  • May 5, 708 (Wadō 1, 11th day of the 4th month): A sample of the newly discovered Musashi copper from was presented in Genmei's Court where it was formally acknowledged as "Japanese" copper; and a mint was established in Ōmi Province.
  • 708 (Wadō 1, 3rd month): Fuijwara no Fuhito was named Minister of the Right (Udaijin) . Isonokami no Maro was Minister of the Left (Sadaijin).
  • 709 (Wadō 2, 3rd month): There was an uprising against governmental authority in Mutsu Province and in Echigo Province. Troops were promptly dispatched to subdue the revolt.
  • 709 (Wadō 2, 5th month): Ambassadors arrived from Silla, bringing an offer of tribute. He visited Fujiwara no Fuhito to prepare the way for further visits.
Daigokuden of Heijō-kyō at the time of capital move (reconstructed in 2010)
  • 710 (Wadō 3, 3rd month): Empress Genmei established her official residence in Nara. In the last years of the Mommu's reign, the extensive preparations for this projected move had begun; but the work could not be completed before the late-emperor's death. Shortly after the nengō was changed to Wadō, an Imperial Rescript was issued concerning the establishment of a new capital at the Heijō-kyō at Nara in Yamato Province. It had been customary since ancient times for the capital to be moved with the beginning of each new reign. However, Emperor Mommu decided not to move the capital, preferring instead to stay at the Fujiwara Palace which had been established by Empress Jitō. Empress Genmei's palace was named Nara-no-miya.
  • 711 (Wadō 4, 3rd month): The Kojiki was published in three volumes. This work presented a history of Japan from a mythological period of god-rulers up through the 28th day of the 1st month of the fifth year of Empress Suiko's reign (597). Emperor Tenmu failed to bring the work to completion before his death in 686. Empress Genmei, along with other court officials, deserve credit for continuing to patronize and encourage the mammoth project.
  • 712 (Wadō 5): The Mutsu Province was separated from Dewa Province.
  • 713 (Wadō 6, 3rd month): Tanba Province was separated from Tango Province; Mimasaka Province was divided from Bizen Province; and Hyūga Province was divided from Ōsumi Province.
  • 713 (Wadō 6): The compilation of Fudoki was begun with the imprimatur of an Imperial decree; and copies of the census of the provinces of Izumo, Harima, Hitachi and two other provinces still exist. This work was intended to describe all provinces, cities, mountains, rivers, valleys and plains. It is intended to become a catalog of the plants, trees, birds, and mammals of Japan. It also intended to contain information about all of the remarkable events which, from ancient times to the present, have happened in the country.
  • 713 (Wadō 6): The road which traverses Mino Province and Shinano Province was widened to accommodate travelers; and the road was widened in the Kiso District of modern Nagano Prefecture.

After Empress Genmei transferred the seat of her government to Nara, this mountain location remained the capital throughout the succeeding seven reigns. In a sense, the years of the Nara period developed into one of the more significant consequences of her comparatively short reign.

Genmei had initially planned to remain on the throne until her grandson might reach maturity. However, in 715, Genmei did abdicate in favor of Mommu's older sister who then became known as Empress Genshō. Genshō was eventually succeeded by her nephew, who then became known as Emperor Shōmu.

  • 715 (Wadō 8): Genmei abdicates in favor of her daughter, Empress Genshō.

The Empress reigned for eight years. Although there were seven other reigning empresses, their successors were most often selected from amongst the males of the paternal Imperial bloodline, which is why some conservative scholars argue that the women's reigns were temporary and that male-only succession tradition must be maintained in the 21st century. Empress Genmei, who was followed on the throne by her daughter, remains the sole exception to this conventional argument.

After abdicating, she was known as Daijō-tennō; and she was only the second woman after Empress Jitō to claim this title. Genmei lived in retirement for seven years until her death at the age of 61 in December 721.

The actual site of Genmei's grave is known. This empress is traditionally venerated at a memorial Shinto shrine (misasagi) in Narazaka-cho, Nara City which has been designated by the Imperial Household Agency as Genmei's mausoleum. The "mountain shape" misasagi was named Nahoyama-no-higashi no misasagi.

Poetry

The Man'yōshū includes a poem written said to be composed by Empress Genmei in 708 (Wadō 1) – and this anthology also includes a reply created by one of the ladies of her court::

Listen to the sounds of the warriors' elbow-guards;
Our captain must be ranging the shields to drill the troops.
– Genmei-tennō
Reply:
Be not concerned, O my Sovereign;
Am I not here,
I, whom the ancestral gods endowed with life,
Next of kin to yourself?
– Minabe-hime

Kugyō

Kugyō (公卿) is a collective term for the very few most powerful men attached to the court of the Emperor of Japan in pre-Meiji eras.

In general, this elite group included only three to four men at a time. These were hereditary courtiers whose experience and background would have brought them to the pinnacle of a life's career. During Genmei's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included:

Spouse and children

Empress Genmei was born to Emperor Tenji and his concubine, Soga no Mei-no-iratsume, who held the rank of Hin (Beauty). She initially was named Princess Abe (阿閇皇女). She had an elder sister by the same mother: Princess Minabe.

Princess Abe married Prince Kusakabe, her eldest half-sister's son, and had issues: two daughters among which the eldest would become Empress Gensho and one son who would ascend the throne as Emperor Monmu.

Eras of Genmei's reign

The years of Genmei's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō.

Ancestry

Ancestors of Empress Genmei
16. Emperor Bidatsu (538–585)
8. Prince Oshisakanohikohito-no-Ōe
17. Hiro-hime (d. c. 575)
4. Emperor Jomei (593–641)
18. Emperor Bidatsu (538–585)
9. Princess Nukate-hime (c. 570–664)
19. Unako no Otoshi
2. Emperor Tenji (626–672)
20. Prince Oshisakanohikohito-no-Ōe
10. Prince Chinu
21. Princess Nukate-hime (c. 570–664)
5. Empress Kōgyoku/Empress Saimei (594–661)
22. Sakurai no Miko (560–587)
11. Princess Kibitsu-hime (d. 643)
1. Empress Genmei
24. Soga no Umako (551–626)
12. Soga no Kuramaro
6. Soga no Kurayamada no Ishikawa no Maro (d. c. 649)
3. Mei no Iratsume

See also

Notes

Japanese Imperial kamon – a stylized chrysanthemum blossom
  1. ^ Imperial Household Agency (Kunaichō): 元明天皇 (43); retrieved August 22, 2013.
  2. Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1959). The Imperial House of Japan, p. 56.
  3. Titsingh, Isaac. (1834). Annales des empereurs du Japon, pp. 63–65, p. 63, at Google Books; Brown, Delmer M. (1979). Gukanshō, p. 271; Varley, H. Paul. (1980). Jinnō Shōtōki. p. 140.
  4. Brown, pp. 264; prior to Emperor Jomei, the personal names of the emperors (imina) were very long and people did not generally use them. The number of characters in each name diminished after Jomei's reign.
  5. ^ Brown, p. 271.
  6. ^ Ponsonby-Fane, p. 56.
  7. ^ Titsingh, p. 63.
  8. Brown, p. 271; Varley, p. 44; a distinct act of senso is unrecognized prior to Emperor Tenji; and all sovereigns except Jitō, Yōzei, Go-Toba, and Fushimi have senso and sokui in the same year until the reign of Go-Murakami.
  9. Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1915). The Imperial Family of Japan, p. x.
  10. Japan Mint Museum: image of Wado Kaichin
  11. ^ Titsingh, p. 64.
  12. Titsingh, p. 64; Aoki (1989: 149)Aoki, Kazuo et al. (1989). Shin Nihon Koten Bungaku Taikei 12: Shoku Nihongi I, p. 149. (in Japanese).
  13. ^ Varley, p. 140.
  14. Titsingh, pp. 64–65.
  15. Yoshida, Reiji. "Life in the Cloudy Imperial Fishbowl," Japan Times. March 27, 2007; retrieved August 22, 2013.
  16. Nara City Tourist Association: Genmei's misasagi – image; Archived December 26, 2007, at the Wayback Machine Genmei's misasagi – map Archived February 27, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  17. Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1959). The Imperial House of Japan, p. 420.
  18. Nippon Gakujutsu Shinkokai. (1969). The Manyōshu, p. 81 n1; elbow guards were made of leather and were worn on the left arm to prevent the bow-string from springing back and hurting the elbow. The string struck the elbow-guard with a loud sound.
  19. Nippon Gakujutsu Shinkokai, p. 81 n2; this poem probably alludes to the expeditionary force that was sent against the Emishi in northern Japan in 709 (Wadō 2).
  20. ^ Nippon Gakujutsu Shinkokai, p. 81.
  21. "Genealogy". Reichsarchiv (in Japanese). April 30, 2010. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  22. "Genealogy". Reichsarchiv (in Japanese). April 30, 2010. Retrieved January 27, 2018.

References

Regnal titles
Preceded byEmperor Monmu Empress of Japan:
Genmei
707–715 		Succeeded byEmpress Genshō
Japan Emperors of Japan (list)
Legendary
Jōmon
660 BC–291 BC
Yayoi
290 BC–269 AD
Yamato
Kofun
269–539
Asuka
539–710
Nara
710–794
Heian
794–1185
Kamakura
1185–1333
Northern Court
1333–1392
Muromachi
1333–1573
Azuchi-Momoyama
1573–1603
Edo
1603–1868
Empire of Japan
1868–1947
Japan
1947–present

Unless otherwise noted (as BC), years are in CE / AD  Imperial Consort and Regent Empress Jingū is not traditionally listed.

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