# Emperor Shōmu

_Emperor of Japan_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/emperor-shomu
Last updated: 2026-11-06

> Emperor Shōmu  was the 45th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Shōmu's reign spanned the years 724 through 749, during the Nara period.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 18 September 701 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q349263#P569))
- **Died:** 4 June 756 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q349263#P570))
- **Place of death:** Nara ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q349263#P20))
- **Citizenship:** Japan ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q349263#P27))
- **Occupation:** calligrapher ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q349263#P106))
- **Spouse:** Kōmyō; Agatainukai no Hirotoji; Minami Dono ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q349263#P26))
- **Positions held:** Emperor of Japan (0724–0749); Crown Prince of Japan (0714–0724) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q349263#P39))

## Questions

**When was Emperor Shōmu born?**  
Emperor Shōmu was born on 18 September 701.

**What positions has Emperor Shōmu held?**  
Positions held by Emperor Shōmu include: Emperor of Japan (0724–0749); Crown Prince of Japan (0714–0724).

## Related

- [Hirohito](https://diginpl.com/people/hirohito)
- [Akihito](https://diginpl.com/people/akihito)
- [Emperor Go-Sanjō](https://diginpl.com/people/emperor-go-sanjo)
- [Empress Meishō](https://diginpl.com/people/empress-meisho)
- [Emperor Go-Komatsu](https://diginpl.com/people/emperor-go-komatsu)
- [Emperor Taishō](https://diginpl.com/people/emperor-taisho)
- [Naruhito](https://diginpl.com/people/naruhito)
- [Emperor Kanmu](https://diginpl.com/people/emperor-kanmu)
- [Emperor Junna](https://diginpl.com/people/emperor-junna)

## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Emperor Shōmu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emperor_Sh%C5%8Dmu) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q349263](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q349263) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Emperor Shomu.jpg by Unknown author Unknown author (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Emperor_Shomu.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Emperor Shōmu, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Emperor Shomu.jpg — Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain.

## Cite this page

"Emperor Shōmu". DigiNepal. Last updated 6 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/emperor-shomu. Retrieved 7 November 2026.