Stories of the Japanese 00198 [Asuka] Reforms of Emperor Tenmu*

In the 9th year of Emperor Tenmu (680). Empress Uno no Sarara fell ill. On November 12, Emperor Tenmu founded Yakushi-ji Temple to pray for her recovery.
When you hear the name Yakushi-ji, you likely think of the temple in Nara city. However, the Yakushi-ji built at this time was located not far from Asuka, in what is now Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture. It was relocated later when the capital was moved to Heijo-kyo.
Afterward, Empress Uno no Sarara made a full recovery and, as it turned out, lived significantly longer than Emperor Tenmu.
On February 25, in the 10th year of Emperor Tenmu (681), the drafting of the 'Asuka Kiyomihara Ritsuryo' began. Once again, it was a 'Ryo' (administrative law) that was enacted, not a 'Ritsu' (penal code). This would be the second law in history following the Omi Ritsuryo, but since the very existence of the Omi Ritsuryo might be fictional, this would make it the first law in history. Incidentally, it would not be completed until the 3rd year of Empress Jito (689).
On the same day, Prince Kusakabe was named Crown Prince. Things were proceeding according to the Yoshino Alliance.
On October 1, in the 13th year of Emperor Tenmu (684), the 'Yakusa no Kabane' (Eight Ranks of Titles) was established. This system created eight ranks of titles—Mahito, Ason, Sukune, Imiki, Michinoshi, Omi, Muraji, and Inagi—and assigned them to various clans. It reorganized the titles that had become nominal since the establishment of the Twelve Level Cap and Rank system, and is thought to have been a response to the requests of the powerful clans.
On January 21, in the 14th year of Emperor Tenmu (685), the rank system was revised, reorganizing the ranks for the imperial family into 12 levels and those for the powerful clans into 48 levels. This likely further expanded the career paths for lower-ranking minor clans.
Around this time, a major national project began: the compilation of the Kojiki and the Nihon Shoki.
At the time, the existence of an official national history was essential. Although historical records such as the 'Tennoki' and 'Kokki' had been compiled previously, they were lost when the residence of Soga no Emishi, where they were kept, burned down during the Isshi Incident.
Emperor Tenmu ordered the compilation of the 'Kojiki' as a private history of the imperial family and the 'Nihon Shoki' as the official history of the nation. These would not be completed until the Nara period.
Looking at the literature, it seems that the terms 'Tenno' (Emperor) and 'Nihon' (Japan) as a national name began to be used around this time. Until then, the emperor was referred to as 'Okimi' (Great King), and Japan was called 'Wakoku' (Wa). 'Wakoku' was a name given by China, not a name the country chose for itself.
Perhaps due to the experience of the foreign war known as the Battle of Baekgang, one can see a sense of national self-awareness emerging and an attempt to build the foundations of the country.
The enactment of laws, the establishment of titles, the reform of the rank system, and the compilation of official histories—all of these were necessary to build the framework of a nation. It can be said that Emperor Tenmu contributed greatly to raising the international status of Japan.