Empress Jito

Empress Jit? (???? Jit? Tenn?) (645 – December 22, 702{{an|Japanese_dates1 1}}) was the 41st imperial ruler of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. She was the daughter of Emperor Tenji. She took the throne in 687 following the death of her husband, Emperor Temmu, who was also her uncle, in order to ensure the eventual succession of her grandson, Emperor Mommu. In 697 she abdicated in Mommu's favor, but she continued to hold power as a cloistered ruler, which became a persistent trend in Japanese politics.

Notes

• Japanese dates correspond to the traditional lunisolar calendar used in Japan until 1873. December 22, 702 of the Japanese calendar corresponds to January 13, 703 of the Julian calendar.