Emperor Shomu (???? Shomu-tenno; 701 - June 4; 756) was the 45th emperor of Japan; according to the traditional order of succession. Shomu's reign spanned the years 724 through 749.

Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne; his personal name is not clearly known; but he was known as Oshi-hiraki Toyosakura-hiko-no-mikoto. Shomu was the son of Emperor Mommu and Fujiwara no Miyako; a daughter of Fujiwara no Fuhito.

Shomu was still a child at the time of his father's death; thus; Empresses Gemmei and Gensho occupied the throne before he acceded.

Shomu is known as the first emperor whose consort was not born into the imperial household. His consort Komyo was a non-royal Fujiwara commoner. A ritsuryo office was created for the queen-consort; the Kogogushiki; and this bureaucratic innovation continued into the Heian period. Pictures From History