The oldest Royal family in the world (4) 2016/04/28
40th Emperor Tenmu (at reign 673-686) was the Emperor of ups and downs. Tenmu supported his elder brother, 38th Emperor Tenchi when he fought and destroyed Soga family who were extending strong influence among many families and clans.
After the above battle, the brothers cooperated successfully to establish modern and independent nation among unstable East Asian international situation. However he left the capital and lived in Yoshino mountain in seclusion to avoid being involved in the turmoil of Emperor’s successor.
However after the death of Tenchi, Tenmu had to fight against Prince Otomo (son of Tenchi) through the battle of Jinshin and finally took the power. During rather short period of the reign, ha was considered to have done various important matters as under.
1. Name the nation as Nippon which means center of sun. He decided the name probably in consideration of foreign affairs.
2. Authorize Ise Shrine as the main shrine of Royal family by enshrining of the ancestor of Royal family, Amaterasu and establish ritual method to become Emperor. The method has been taken over without any significant change until today.
3. Make powerful officials of traditional clans and develop modern bureaucratic system to serve to the growing nation.
4. Establish family register system. The nation was rapidly changing from a split nation controlled by each clan to a centralized nation governed by the Royal family.
His Empress became 41st Emperor Jito who followed and materialized her husband’s policy and dream to make a powerful and independent nation.
the mountain of a famous song by Emperor Jito
