Takashina no Takako
Japanese poet (d. 996)
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Takashina no Takako (高階貴子; sometimes read Takashina no Kishi; died 996), also known as the mother of the Honorary Grand Minister (儀同三司母, Gidōsanshi no haha) or as Kō no Naishi (高内侍), was a Japanese waka poet of the mid-Heian period. One of her poems was included in the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu.
Biography
She was the daughter of Takashina no Naritada (高階成忠).[1]
By her husband Fujiwara no Michitaka, she was the mother of Takaie, Empress Teishi and Korechika, who was known as the Honorary Grand Minister (儀同三司, Gidōsanshi).[2][3] She is accordingly frequently referred to as the mother of the Honorary Grand Minister.
Her other nickname, Kō no Naishi, is a combination of the first character of her patronymic family name — taka or kō — and her position serving Emperor En'yū, naishi.[3]
Poetry
Five of her poems were included in imperial anthologies from the Shūi Wakashū onwards.[1]
The following poem by her was included as the 54th in the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu:
忘れじの行く末まではかたければ
けふを限りの命ともがな[4]
wasureji no yuku-sue made wa katakereba
kyō o kagiri no inochi to mogana[5]
You promise you'll never forget, but to the end of time is too long to ask. So let me die today—still loved by you.[6]
(Shin Kokin Wakashū 13:1149)