Japan: Emperor Tenmu was the 40th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of...

Emperor Tenmu (Tenmu-tenno, c. 631-October 1, 686) was the 40th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Tenmu's reign lasted from 672 until his death in 686. Tenmu was the youngest son of Emperor Jomei and Empress Saimei, and the younger brother of the Emperor Tenji. His name at birth was Prince Oama. He was succeeded by Empress Jito, who was both his niece and his wife. During the reign of his elder brother, Emperor Tenji, Tenmu was forced to marry several of Tenji's daughters because Tenji thought those marriages would help to strengthen political ties between the two brothers. The nieces he married included Princess Unonosarara, today known as the Empress Jito, and Princess Ota. Tenmu also had other consorts whose fathers were influential courtiers. Tenmu had many children, including his crown prince Kusakabe by Princess Unonosarara; Princess Tochi; Prince Otsu and Princess Oku by Princess Ota (whose father also was Tenji); and Prince Toneri, the editor of Nihonshoki and father of Emperor Junnin. Through Prince Kusakabe, Tenmu had two emperors and two empresses among his descendents. Empress Shotoku was the last of these imperial rulers from his lineage.