Emperor Jomei of Japan

Emperor Jomei (舒明天皇) (593-641) was the 34th imperial ruler of Japan. His birth name was Prince Tamura. He was a grandson of the Bidatsu both paternally and maternally. His father was Prince Oshisakahikohitonooe, his mother was Princess Nukatehime, who was a younger sister of his father.

He succeeded his great aunt, Empress Suiko, and ruled from 629 to 641. Suiko did not make it clear who was to succeed her after her death. Before her death, she called Tamura and another prince Prince Yamasironooe, who was the elder son of Prince Shotoku, and gave some brief advice to each of them. After her death the court was devided into two factions, each supporting one of the princes for the throne. Soga no Emishi, the head of Soga clan, supported Tamura. He stated the last words of the Empress Suiko suggested her will had been on Tamura. Yamashironooe was later attacked by the Soga clan and committed suicide along with his entire family.

During his reign, Soga no Emishi seized several political initiatives. After his death, the throne was passed to his two cousins, that is, his wife and thus empress Princess Takara and her younger brother, before eventually being inherited by two of Jomei's sons, Emperors Tenji and Temmu.