Tenpyō (天平), also romanized as Tempyō, was a Japanese era name (年号,, nengō,; lit. "year name") after Jinki and before Tenpyō-kanpō. This period started in August 729 and ended in April 749. The reigning emperor was Shōmu-tennō (聖武天皇).
749 (Tenpyō 20): After a 25-year reign, Emperor Shōmu abdicated and took vows as a Buddhist priest. Shōmu's daughter receives the succession (senso). Soon after, Empress Kōken's role as monarch was confirmed (sokui).
♯The Northern pretenders did not recognize the Genkō era. Gentoku was used in the Northern Court until 1332. ₪The Shōkyō era was recognized only by the Northern pretenders, not by the Southern Court. ‡ Upon reunification of the Northern and Southern Courts in 1392, Genchū was discontinued. Meitoku was used until 1394.