WEBEmperor Monmu. Mother. Fujiwara no Miyako. Religion. Buddhism. Emperor Shōmu (聖武天皇, Shōmu-tennō, September 22, 701 – June 4, 756) was the 45th emperor of Japan, [1] according to the traditional order of succession. [2] Shōmu's reign spanned the years 724 through 749, during the Nara period.