Genmei

, 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. She established the capital at Heijō-kyō in 710, marking the beginning of the Nara period.

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.

Traditional narrative Before her ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, her personal name (imina) was Abe-hime.

Empress Genmei was the fourth daughter of Emperor Tenji; At least one account suggests that she accepted the role of empress because Emperor Monmu felt his young son, her grandson, was still too young to withstand the pressures which attend becoming emperor.

July 18, 707 (Keiun 4, 15th day of the 6th month) : In the 11th year of Monmu-tennōs reign (文武天皇十一年), the emperor died; and the succession (senso) was received by the emperor's mother, who held the throne in trust for her young grandson. Shortly thereafter, Empress Genmei is said to have acceded to the throne (sokui).

707 (Keiun 4): Deposits of copper were reported to have been found in Chichibu in Musashi Province in the region which includes modern day Tokyo; and a mint was established in Ōmi Province. 709 (Wadō 2, 3rd month): There was an uprising against governmental authority in Mutsu Province and in Echigo Province. Troops were promptly dispatched to subdue the revolt.

710 (Wadō 3, 3rd month): Empress Genmei established her official residence in Nara. Empress Genmei's palace was named Nara-no-miya.

The Empress reigned for eight years. Empress Genmei, who was followed on the throne by her daughter, remains the sole exception to this conventional argument.

After abdicating, she was known as Daijō-tennō; and she was only the second woman after Empress Jitō to claim this title. Genmei lived in retirement for seven years until her death at the age of 61 in December 721. The "mountain shape" misasagi was named Nahoyama-no-higashi no misasagi.

Poetry The Man'yōshū includes a poem written said to be composed by Empress Genmei in 708 (Wadō 1) – and this anthology also includes a reply created by one of the ladies of her court:: Listen to the sounds of the warriors' elbow-guards; Our captain must be ranging the shields to drill the troops. – Genmei-tennō

Reply: Be not concerned, O my Sovereign; Am I not here, I, whom the ancestral gods endowed with life, Next of kin to yourself? – Minabe-hime First Daughter: Princess Hidaka (氷高皇女) later Empress Gensho First Son: Prince Karu (珂瑠/軽) later Emperor Monmu Second Daughter: Imperial Princess Kibi (吉備内親王, 686–729) married Prince Nagaya

Eras of Genmei's reign The years of Genmei's reign are more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō. Keiun (704–708) Wadō (708–715) Reiki (715–717)