A painting of Empress Jito from the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu; compiled by Fujiwara no Teika (1162 - 1241). Empress Jito (645-702); was the 41st imperial ruler of Japan. Jito was daughter of Tenji Tenno; who was regent 661-68 and Emperor 668-71. Her husband and uncle; Temmu Tenno; had withdrawn to temple-life and left the throne to their son in 886 with her as regent and later successor. She made important administrative reforms; encouraged the development of agriculture and had the first silver coin struck. In 697 she abdicated in favour of her nephew (and grandson) Mommu; but she continued to hold power as a cloistered ruler; which became a persistent trend in Japanese politics; and she was the first to take the honorary title for past emperors - Dajo-Tenno.