Emperor Shomu

701～756
He was the 45th emperor of Japan, the son of Emperor Monmu (文武天皇) and Fuziwara no Miyako (藤原宮子). He was still young when his father died, so Empress Genmei and Gensyo acceded the throne before he acceded. He believed in Buddhism extremely so built many Buddhist temple. He built Todai-ji temple (東大寺) in Nara and constructed the Great Buddha praying peace and security of Japan. The Buddhist Tenpyo culture　flourished (天平文化)　owing to Emperor Syomu.