Emperor Tenmu

Emperor Tenmu (c. 631–686), born Prince Ōama, was Japan's 40th sovereign. In 671 he renounced the succession and became a monk at Yoshino Palace. In 672 he overthrew his nephew Prince Ōtomo in the Jinshin War after fleeing Yoshino and raising the eastern provinces.

Enthroned in 673, he built a Tang-style centralised state, began the chronicles later the Nihon Shoki, and probably first used the title tennō. He died in 686; his consort succeeded him as Empress Jitō.