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]
Princess Yoshiko (欣子内親王, Yoshiko naishinnō) 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 brother 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]
Husband and adopted brother: Emperor Kōkaku of Japan (23 September 1771 – 11 December 1840), 119th Emperor of Japan, Yoshiko's second cousin twice removed in the biological male line
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.
Shortly after Emperor Kōkaku's death, Dowager Empress Yoshiko became a Buddhist nun. In 1841, she changed her name to Shin-Seiwa-In (新清和院, Shin-seiwa-in).[2]
Unless otherwise noted (as BC), years are in CE / AD1 individuals that were given the title of empress posthumously
2 individuals elevated to the rank of empress due to their position as honorary mother of the emperor
3 Shōshi served briefly as honorary empress for her younger brother Emperor Go-Daigo
Unless otherwise noted (as BC), years are in CE / AD1 individuals that were given the title of empress dowager posthumously
2 title removed in 896 due to a suspected affair with head priest of the Toko-ji Temple; title posthumously restored in 943
3 was made High Empress or de jure empress dowager during her husband's reign
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