| Empress Yoshiko | |
|---|---|
| Empress consort of Japan | |
| Spouse | Emperor Kōkaku of Japan |
| Issue | |
| Imperial Prince Masuhito Imperial Prince Toshihito |
|
| Father | Emperor Go-Momozono of Japan |
| Mother | Konoe Koreko |
| Born | 11 March 1779 |
| Died | 11 August 1846 (aged 67) |
| Burial | Senyū-ji |
Princess Yoshiko (欣子内親王 Yoshiko Naishinnō, 11 March 1779 – 11 August 1846) was the empress consort of Emperor Kōkaku of Japan. She enjoys the distinction of being the last daughter of an emperor who would herself rise to the position of empress.[1] When she was later given the title of Empress Dowager, she became the first person to be honored with that title while still living since 1168.[2]
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Princess Yoshiko (欣子内親王 Yoshiko nai-shinnō) was also known as Onna-Ichi-no-Miya (女一宮 Onna-ichi-no-Miya) in her infancy. She was the only child of Emperor Go-Momozono; and she became the wife of the Emperor's adopted heir, marrying her adoptive stepbrother who would later be known as Emperor Kōkaku. Although her own children died in infancy, she functioned as official mother to the heir who would become Emperor Ninkō.[1]
Yoshiko's father, Emperor Go-Momozono, died without a son when she was ten months old.[1] To avoid dynastic interregnum, Retired Empress Go-Sakuramachi and her chief adviser encouraged the dying emperor to adopt Prince Morohito, whose biological father was Prince Sukehito, the second Prince Kan'in. Morohito, who would be known as Emperor Kōkaku later, acceded to the throne at age eight.
Retired Empress Go-Sakuramachi engaged Yoshiko to the new Emperor. Yoshiko formally became Empress consort to Emperor Kōkaku at age 15. She bore two sons, both of whom died in infancy.
In 1816, Emperor Ninkō granted Empress Yoshiko the title of Empress Dowager after Emperor Kōkaku abdicated.[2]
Shortly after Emperor Kōkaku's death, Dowager Empress Eishō became a Buddhist nun. In 1841, she changed her name to Shin-Seiwa-In (新清和院 Shin-seiwa-in).[2]
Yoshiko died at age 68 and was buried Senyū-ji, which is in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto. Her memory is officially honored at her husband's mausoleum, which is known as Nochi-no-tsukinowa no misasagi.[3]
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| Japanese royalty | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Princess Yukiko |
Empress consort of Japan 1794–1816 |
Succeeded by Empress Shōken (Posthumously: Fujiwara no Tsunako) |
| Preceded by Unknown |
Empress Dowager of Japan 1816–1841 |
Succeeded by Empress Eishō |