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Japan: Empress Koken (718-770), also known as Empress Shotoku, 46th and 48th imperial ruler of Japan.

Japan: Empress Koken (718-770), also known as Empress Shotoku, 46th and 48th imperial ruler of Japan.

Empress Koken (718-770), also known as Empress Shotoku, 46th (as Empress Koken) and 48th (as Empress Shotoku) imperial rulerof Japan. Empress Shotoku's reign was exceedingly turbulent, and she survived coup attempts by both Tachibana Naramaro and Fujiwara no Nakamaro. Today, she is remembered chiefly for her relationship with a Buddhist monk named Dokyo. This empress is traditionally venerated at a memorial Shinto shrine (misasagi) at Nara.

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