Princess Tokushi
Empress consort of Japan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Princess Tokushi (篤子内親王; 1060–1114 CE) (also Atsuko[1]) was a princess and an empress consort of Japan. She was the consort of her nephew, Emperor Horikawa.[2][1]
| Princess Tokushi | |
|---|---|
| Empress consort of Japan | |
| Tenure | 1093–1107 |
| Born | 1060 |
| Died | 1114 (aged 53–54) |
| Spouse | |
| House | Imperial House of Japan |
| Father | Emperor Go-Sanjō |
| Mother | Kaoruko |
Biography
She was the fourth daughter of Emperor Go-Sanjō and his cousin Imperial Princess Kaoruko. Additionally, she was the sister of Emperor Shirakawa.[3][4]
Her father died in 1073 and was succeeded by her brother, Emperor Shirakawa.[5] In 1087, Shirakawa abdicated, and appointed his young son, who was crowned Emperor Horikawa. This was against the wishes of the late Emperor Go-Sanjō, who had indicated that, after Shirakawa, the throne should pass to Shirakawa's brothers.[5]
To ensure that his direct familial line retained power, and to avoid any chance for others to gain influence, in 1093 Shirakawa had his thirty-four-year-old sister Princess Tokushi married to his son, the thirteen-year-old Emperor.[1][5]
Despite hopes and imperial prayers, the marriage did not result in children, and 1098 Emperor Horikawa took an additional wife, who gave birth to a crown prince (later Emperor Toba).[5] Horikawa and Tokushi's court was known for fostering poetry and literature.[6]
In 1107, Emperor Horikawa died, and Tokushi became a Buddhist nun.[7][3]
