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. 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 posthumus 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). ... 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 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. 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. ... 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 Hegira - Muhammad and his followers withdraw from Mecca to Medina - starting year of the Islamic calendar. ... A replica of an ancient statue found among the ruins of a temple at Sarnath Buddhism is a religion and philosophy based on the teachings of the Buddha, Siddhārtha Gautama, who lived between approximately 566 and 486 BCE. Originating in India, Buddhism gradually spread throughout Asia to Central Asia...

Notes

1. Japanese dates correspond to the traditional lunisolar calendar used in Japan until 1873. August 4, 770 of the Japanese calendar corresponds to August 28, 770 of the Julian calendar.

A lunisolar calendar is a calendar whose date indicates both the moon phase and the season. ... It has been suggested that Holidays of Japan be merged into this article or section. ... 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. ... The Julian calendar was introduced by Julius Caesar in 46 BC, taking force in 45 BC or 709 ab urbe condita. ...

Emperor Shōmu (聖武天皇) (701- May 2, 756) was the 45th imperial ruler of Japan. ... The following is a traditional list of Emperors of Japan. ... 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. ... The following is a traditional list of Emperors of Japan. ... 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. ...