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Empress Jito and Fujiwara-kyo — The Female Ruler Who Built Japan's First Full-Scale Capital
Empress Jito supported Emperor Tenmu through the Jinshin War (672) and, after his death, realized the construction of Fujiwara-kyo (694) — Japan's first full-scale Chinese-style capital city. Its grid layout became the prototype for Nara and Heian capitals. The empress is also celebrated for her Manyoshu poem beginning 'Spring has passed and summer has come.'
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Empress Jito (645-703) was the daughter of Emperor Tenji and wife of Emperor Tenmu. After supporting her husband through the Jinshin War (672), she carried on his reforms after his death, formally ascending as the 41st emperor in 690. In 694, she completed the transfer of the capital to Fujiwara-kyo — Japan’s first full-scale Chinese-style grid city, the prototype for Nara and Heian capitals. She is also celebrated for her Manyoshu poem on summer’s arrival at Mt. Kagu. Visit Yakushiji Temple, Asukadera, and the Asuka Palace site to follow her legacy.
Empress Jito (by Katsukawa Shunsho) — the 41st sovereign who completed the move to Fujiwara-kyo and finalized the foundations of Japan's legal state
Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
Emperor Tenmu — husband of Empress Jito, who came to power after the Jinshin War and built the framework of the legal state, with Jito carrying on his will after his death
Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain
Yakushiji Temple (Nishi-no-kyo, Nara) — a masterpiece of Hakuho-era Buddhist architecture, originally vowed by Emperor Tenmu for Empress Jito's recovery, now a UNESCO World Heritage site
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Asukadera Temple — spiritual center of the Asuka period, contemporaneous with Empress Jito and Emperor Tenmu
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Ishibutai Kofun (Asuka) — the great megalithic tomb said to be that of Soga no Umako, an iconic relic of the Asuka period when Empress Jito and Emperor Tenmu flourished
Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
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Empress Jitō
Empress Who Built Fujiwara-kyō
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World Heritage temple vowed by Emperor Tenmu — the East Pagoda called 'frozen music' is a Hakuho masterpiece
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Japan's oldest full-scale Buddhist temple, built by Soga no Umako — housing the Asuka Great Buddha cast in 609 by Tori Busshi, Japan's oldest surviving Buddhist statue
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Palace site of multiple 7th-century emperors — where the Taika Coup of 645 occurred and Emperor Tenmu built the foundation of Japan's legal state
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