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. Her posthumous name for her second reign (764-770) was Empress Shōtoku. Events Pelayo established the Kingdom of Asturias in the Iberian peninsula (modern day Portugal and Spain). ... August 28 is the 240th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (241st in leap years), with 125 days remaining. ... Events Emperor Konin ascends to the throne of Japan, succeeding Empress Shotoku. ... His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Akihito of Japan The Emperor of Japan (天皇, tennō) is Japans titular head of state and the head of the Japanese imperial family. ... Events June - Aistulf succeeds his brother Ratchis as king of the Lombards End of the reign of Emperor Shomu of Japan Empress Koken ascends to the throne of Japan Abu al-Abbas as-Saffah becomes caliph Births Deaths Saint John of Damascus (or Damascene), theologian Ratchis, king of the Lombards... Events End of the reign of Empress Koken of Japan; she is succeeded by Emperor Junnin. ... Emperor Junnin (淳仁天皇 Junnin Tennō) (733-765) was the 47th imperial ruler of Japan from 758 to 764, according to the traditional order of succession. ... Events Empress Shotoku succeeds Emperor Junnin on the throne of Japan. ... Events Emperor Konin ascends to the throne of Japan, succeeding Empress Shotoku. ...

Today, she is remembered chiefly for her 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. Categories: Buddhism-related stubs | Buddhist terms ... Dōkyō (道鏡; 700 - 72) was a Japanese monk of Nara Period, belonging to Dharma character school. ... A replica of an ancient statue found among the ruins of a temple at Sarnath Buddhism is a philosophy based on the teachings of the Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama, a prince of the Shakyas, whose lifetime is traditionally given as 566 to 486 BCE. It had subsequently been accepted by... Emperor Kanmu Emperor Kanmu ) (737–806) was the 50th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... , Nara ) is the capital city of Nara Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan, near Kyoto. ... Events August 31 - Paul IV abdicates as Patriarch of Constantinople December 25 - Tarasius elected Patriarch of Constantinople The Japanese capital moved away from Nara. ...

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. Smallpox (also known by the Latin names Variola or Variola vera) was a highly contagious viral disease unique to humans. ... 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. ... Sculpture of Prince Shotoku in Asuka Dera, Asuka, Nara Prince Shōtoku (聖徳太子 574-622) was a regent and a politician of the Imperial Court in Japan. ... Events Emperor Bidatsu ascends the throne of Japan. ... Events Hijra - Muhammad and his followers withdraw from Mecca to Medina - year one of the Islamic calendar. ... A replica of an ancient statue of Gautama Buddha, found in Sarnath, near Varanasi. ...

Notes

1. ^ 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.