Emperor Kanmu

Emperor Kanmu (737–806), eldest son of Emperor Kōnin, was Japan's 50th emperor, reigning from 781 to 806. In 784 he moved the capital from Nara to Nagaoka-kyō, and again in 794 to Heian-kyō, opening the Heian period.

His armies, led by Ōtomo no Otomaro and Sakanoue no Tamuramaro, campaigned against the Emishi of northern Honshū, and in 794 Ōtomo became the first commander bearing the title sei-i taishōgun. Kanmu also sponsored the monks Saichō and Kūkai on their journeys to Tang China, after which they founded the Tendai and Shingon schools in Japan.