The Ōmi Ōtsu Palace (近江大津宮, Ōmi Ōtsu-no-miya) was an imperial palace built by Emperor Tenchi in Asuka period Japan in what is now the city of Ōtsu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. It served as the capital of Japan for a five-year period from 667 to 672 AD. Also known as the Ōtsu Palace (大津宮, Ōtsu-no-miya), Shiga no Miyako (志賀の都), it was most frequently referred to in ancient sources as the Ōmi Ōtsu-no-miya (水海大津宮).It was at this location that the Ōmi Code and the family registry system were promulgated, which laid the foundations for the later ritsuryō state. It location was designated a National Historic Site of Japan in 1979, with the area under protection expanded in 2007
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Ōmi Ōtsu Palace in the context of Emperor Tenji
Emperor Tenji (天智天皇, Tenji-tennō; 626 – January 7, 672), known first as Prince Katsuragi (葛城皇子, Katsuragi no Ōji) and later as Prince Nakano Ōe (中大兄皇子, Nakano Ōe no Ōji) until his accession, was the 38th emperor of Japan who reigned from 668 to 671. He was the son of Emperor Jomei and Empress Kōgyoku (Empress Saimei), and his children included Empress Jitō, Empress Genmei, and Emperor Kōbun.
In 645, Tenji and Fujiwara no Kamatari defeated Soga no Emishi and Soga no Iruka. He established a new government and carried out political reforms. He then assumed real political power as the crown prince of both Emperor Kōtoku and Empress Saimei. Despite the death of Empress Saimei, he did not accede to the throne for seven years, and came to the throne only after the relocation of the capital to Ōmi in 668. He created Japan's first family register, the Kōgo Nenjaku, and the first code of law, the Ōmi Code.
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