Emperor Kōnin (光仁天皇 Kōnin Tennō) (November 18, 709^[1] – January 11, 782^[2]) was the 49th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. He reigned from 770 to 781. His birth name was Shirakabe Ō. November 18 is the 322nd day of the year (323rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Events Saelred becomes king of Essex Ceolred becomes king of Mercia after his cousin Cenred abdicates to become a monk in Rome A storm separates the Channel Islands of Jethou and Herm Births Emperor Konin of Japan Deaths May 25 - Aldhelm, bishop and scholar Categories: 709 ... January 11 is the 11th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events Alcuin becomes teacher to Charlemagne and his court. ... His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Akihito. ... Events Emperor Konin ascends to the throne of Japan, succeeding Empress Shotoku. ... Events Emperor Kammu succeeds Emperor Konin as emperor of Japan. ...

He was a son of Prince Shiki and a grandson of Emperor Tenji. Initially, he was not in line for succession, as Emperor Temmu and his branch held the throne. He married Imperial Princess Ikami, a daughter of Emperor Shōmu, producing a daughter and a son. ... Emperor Temmu (天武天皇 Tenmu Tennō) (c. ... Emperor Shōmu (聖武天皇 Shōmu Tennō) (701 - May 2, 7561) was the 45th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ...

After his sister in law, Empress Shōtoku (also Empress Kōken), died, he was named her heir. The high courtiers claimed the empress had left her will in a letter in which she had appointed him as her successor. Prior to this, he had been considered a gentle man without political ambition. Empress Kōken (孝謙天皇 Kōken Tennō) also Empress Shōtoku (称徳天皇 Shōtoku Tennō) (718 – August 4, 7701) was both the 46th and 48th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ...

Kōnin attempted to reconstruct the state finance and administrative organisations, which had been corrupted under the reign of Empress Kōken. Empress Kōken (孝謙天皇 Kōken Tennō) also Empress Shōtoku (称徳天皇 Shōtoku Tennō) (718 – August 4, 7701) was both the 46th and 48th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ...

After some months, Princess Ikami was promoted to empress and her son became the crown prince. Later, she was accused of cursing her husband, Kōnin. Today, it is believed this accusation was revenge for depriving her son of the throne. Princess Ikami was stripped of the rank of the consort, and died soon after from illness, at least according to the official documentation.

After her death, Prince Yamabe, a son of Kōnin's by his concubine, Takano no Niigasa (former Yamato no Niigasa), who is said to be a descendant of King Muryeong of Baekje, was named crown prince. Takano no Niigasa (高野新笠) (?–790) was a concubine of Emperor Konin and the mother of Emperor Kammu. ... Muryeong (462–523; reigned 501–523) was the twenty-fifth king of Baekje during the period of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. ...

Notes

1. ^ November 18, 709 of the Julian calendar corresponds to the Thirteenth Day of the Tenth Month of the Second Year of Wadō of the Japanese lunisolar calendar.
2. ^ January 11, 782 of the Julian calendar corresponds to the Twenty-third Day of the Twelfth Month of the Twelfth Year of Hōki of the Japanese lunisolar calendar.