Empress Genmei

Empress of Japan

Ahe April 20, 660

December 29, 721(721-12-29) (61) Nara, Japan

Posthumous nameJapanese style: Yamato-neko-amatsumiyo-toyokuni-narihime no Sumeramikoto (日本根子天津御代豊国成姫天皇 ) Chinese style: Empress Genmei (元明天皇 )

4th Empress of Japan (reigned 707-715) Empress of Japan Empress Genmei 元明天皇 Empress of JapanReignAugust 18, 707 – October 3, 715PredecessorMonmuSuccessorGenshōBornAhe (阿閇 or 阿部 ) April 20, 660DiedDecember 29, 721(721-12-29) (aged 61) Nara, JapanBurialNahoyama no higashi no misasagi (Nara)SpousePrince KusakabeIssue Emperor Monmu Empress Genshō Princess Kibi HouseYamatoFatherEmperor TenjiMotherSoga 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 CE. 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.