Empress Kōken was the 46th and 48th monarch of Japan according to the traditional order of succession. Seeking to protect the bloodline of Prince Kusakabe, her father, Emperor Shōmu, proclaimed her the first crown princess in Japanese history in 738, and she succeeded her father as empress regnant in 749 after he retired to become a Buddhist monk. With the backing of her mother, Empress Kōmyō, and cousin Fujiwara no Nakamaro, she was able to outmaneuver a largely hostile Daijō-kan. Her father died in 756, having named a cousin unrelated to the Fujiwara clan as Kōken's heir; this outraged her maternal Fujiwara relatives and their supporters, and Kōken replaced him with Prince Ōi, a close ally of her mother and Nakamaro. In 757, she headed off a conspiracy to overthrow her by Tachibana no Naramaro, and resigned the following year to serve as empress emerita, while Ōi reigned as Emperor Junnin.
Kōken, emperor of Japan (born 718)
On August 28, in the year 770, Kōken, emperor of Japan (born 718). This event is recorded as a Notable Deaths event in the history of August 28, one of 410 recorded events on this date across all of history.
1 notable person is associated with this event, including Empress Kōken. Learn more below.
Key Facts
- This event took place on August 28, 770 (AD era).
- It is categorised as a Notable Deaths event in recorded history.
- Referenced in 1 Wikipedia article.
- 1 notable person is recorded as involved in or associated with this event.
- Wikipedia source last updated on 26 July 2026.
On This Date in History 410
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