Empress Genshō

Who was Empress Genshō?

Empress Genshō was the 44th monarch of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.

Genshō's reign spanned the years 715 through 724.

In the history of Japan, Genshō was the fifth of eight women to take on the role of empress regnant. The four female monarchs before Genshō were: Suiko, Kōgyoku, Jitō and Gemmei. The three women sovereigns reigning after Genshō were Kōken, Meishō, and Go-Sakuramachi.

Genshō was the only Japanese empress regnant to inherit her title from another empress regnant, rather than a male predecessor.