Empress Gensho (683-748); 44th imperial ruler of Japan. The daughter of Empress Gemmei; Gensho's reign spanned the years 715 through to 724. Under her reign; the Nihonshoki; the first Japanese history book; was completed in 720. Organisation of the law system was continued; and the taxation system; which had been introduced by Empress Jito in the late 7th century; was reformed to promote agricultural production. Gensho also encouraged the arts; letters and science; continuing the works of her mother. When her nephew reached the age of 25 she abdicated.