Japan: Empress Jito (645–702), 41st imperial ruler of Japan

A painting of Empress Jito from the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu, compiled by Fujiwara no Teika (1162 – 1241). Empress Jito (645–702), was the 41st imperial ruler of Japan. Jito was daughter of Tenji Tenno, who was regent 661-68 and Emperor 668-71. Her husband and uncle, Temmu Tenno, had withdrawn to temple-life and left the throne to their son in 886 with her as regent and later successor. She made important administrative reforms, encouraged the development of agriculture and had the first silver coin struck. In 697 she abdicated in favour of her nephew (and grandson) Mommu, but she continued to hold power as a cloistered ruler, which became a persistent trend in Japanese politics, and she was the first to take the honorary title for past emperors - Dajo-Tenno.