Empress Kōken (孝謙天皇) or Shōtoku (称徳天皇) (718- August 28, 770) was the 46th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. She first ruled as Kōken from 749 to 758. She abdicated in favor of her second cousin, Junnin, but six years later she took the crown from him and reascended the throne. Her posthumus name for her second reign (764-770) was Shōtoku. Events Pelayo established the 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) (733-765) was the 47th imperial ruler of Japan from 758 to 764. ... 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 conducting an affair with a Buddhist monk named Dokyo, a man on 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. Dōkyō (道鏡; 700 - 72) was a Japanese monk of Nara Period, belonging to Dharma character school. ... Emperor Kanmu Emperor Kanmu or Kammu (桓武天皇, Kanmu-tennō) (737–806) was the 50th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... Nara (奈良市; -shi) 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) is a highly contagious disease unique to humans. ... Emperor Kōnin (光仁天皇) (November 18, 709- January 11, 782) was the 49th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ... Events Emperor Bidatsu ascends the throne of Japan. ... Events Hegira - Muhammad and his followers withdraw from Mecca to Medina - starting year of the Islamic calendar. ... Statues of Buddha such as this, the Tian Tan Buddha statue in Hong Kong, remind followers to practice right living. ...

Emperor Shōmu (聖武天皇) (701- May 2, 756) was the 45th imperial ruler of Japan. ... History of Japan Paleolithic Jomon Yayoi Yamato period ---Kofun period ---Asuka period Nara period Heian period Kamakura period Muromachi period Azuchi-Momoyama period ---Nanban contacts Edo period Meiji period Taisho period Showa period ---Japanese expansionism ---Occupied Japan ---Post-Occupation Japan Heisei The following is a traditional list of Emperors of... Emperor Junnin (淳仁天皇) (733-765) was the 47th imperial ruler of Japan from 758 to 764. ... Emperor Junnin (淳仁天皇) (733-765) was the 47th imperial ruler of Japan from 758 to 764. ... History of Japan Paleolithic Jomon Yayoi Yamato period ---Kofun period ---Asuka period Nara period Heian period Kamakura period Muromachi period Azuchi-Momoyama period ---Nanban contacts Edo period Meiji period Taisho period Showa period ---Japanese expansionism ---Occupied Japan ---Post-Occupation Japan Heisei The following is a traditional list of Emperors of... Emperor Kōnin (光仁天皇) (November 18, 709- January 11, 782) was the 49th imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. ...