Person701–756
Emperor Shōmu
Son of Emperor Monmu and Fujiwara no Miyako, emperor of Japan from 724 to 749. After the smallpox epidemic of 735–737 and the rebellion of Fujiwara no Hirotsugu (740) he moved the court between several capitals, ordered a Buddhist temple for every province (741) and vowed the Great Buddha of Tōdai-ji (743). In 749 he abdicated in favour of his daughter, Empress Kōken, and took Buddhist vows.
- Dates
- 701 – 4 June 756
- Events
- 1 event
- Regions
- East Asia
- In the threads
- East Asia (6th–10th c.)
Events
- Emperor Shōmu’s Great Buddha of Tōdai-ji6 November 743 – 26 May 752 · East Asia