Emperor Shmu (, Shmu-tenn, 701 June 4, 756) was the 45th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Shmu's reign spanned the years 724 through 749, during the Nara period.

Empress Genshō (元正天皇, Genshō-tennō, 683 – May 22, 748) was the 44th monarch of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Her reign spanned the years 715 through 724.Genshō was the fifth of eight women to take on the role of empress regnant, and the only one in the history of Japan to have inherited her title from another empress regnant rather than from a male predecessor. The four female monarchs before Genshō were Suiko, Kōgyoku, Jitō and Genmei; the three women sovereigns reigning after her were Kōken, Meishō, and Go-Sakuramachi.