Births on January 9

Empress Meishō of Japan (d. 1696)

Empress Meishō (明正天皇, Meishō-tennō), born on January 9, 1624, and passing away on December 4, 1696, holds a significant place in the annals of Japanese imperial history. She was the 109th monarch of Japan, according to the venerable traditional order of succession, and her reign spanned a crucial period from 1629 to 1643.

Empress Meishō: A Reign of Symbolic Significance

Born Princess Okiko (興子内親王), Empress Meishō was the daughter of Emperor Go-Mizunoo and Tokugawa Masako, who was herself a daughter of the formidable second Tokugawa Shogun, Hidetada. This lineage made her the first direct link by birth between the Imperial House and the powerful Tokugawa Shogunate, a pivotal connection that underscored the political realities of the early Edo period (1603-1868).

Her ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne at the young age of five, following her father Emperor Go-Mizunoo's abdication in protest against the Shogunate's interference in imperial affairs (notably the 'Purple Robe Incident' of 1627-1629), positioned her as a largely symbolic figure. During her 14-year reign, the true administrative and political power remained firmly in the hands of the Tokugawa Shogunate, particularly under her uncle, Tokugawa Iemitsu (brother of her mother, Tokugawa Masako). Empress Meishō's role was primarily ritualistic, maintaining the sacred traditions of the imperial line while the shoguns governed the nation.

Empress Meishō gracefully abdicated in 1643 at the age of 19, making way for her younger half-brother, Prince Tsuguhito (who would become Emperor Go-Kōmyō), to ascend the throne. This decision was in line with both traditional preferences for male succession and the political expediency dictated by the Shogunate, ensuring the continued stability of the imperial line under their overarching influence.

The Eight Empresses Regnant: A Unique Chapter in Japanese History

Empress Meishō occupies a rare and distinguished position in Japanese history as the seventh of only eight women to have ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne as empress regnant (女帝, jotei), ruling in their own right rather than as empresses consort. The phenomenon of female monarchs in Japan, though scarce, typically occurred during periods of succession crisis or political transition, often serving to stabilize the imperial line until a suitable male heir was available or of age. While the ancient Ritsuryō legal system (established in the late 7th and early 8th centuries) did not explicitly forbid female succession, later Confucian influences and traditional patriarchal norms that gained prominence often favored male lineage.

Before Empress Meishō, six remarkable women held the imperial title:

• Empress Suiko (推古天皇, 593–628), the very first female monarch, who reigned during the Asuka period and significantly promoted Buddhism.
• Empress Kōgyoku (皇極天皇, 642–645), who later re-ascended the throne as Empress Saimei (斉明天皇, 655–661), also during the Asuka period.
• Empress Jitō (持統天皇, 690–697), another impactful Asuka-period empress known for consolidating imperial power.
• Empress Genmei (元明天皇, 707–715), who reigned during the early Nara period and oversaw the compilation of the Kojiki, Japan's oldest historical record.
• Empress Genshō (元正天皇, 715–724), also of the Nara period, unique as the first to inherit the throne directly from another female monarch (her mother, Empress Genmei).
• Empress Kōken (孝謙天皇, 749–758), who later re-ascended as Empress Shōtoku (称徳天皇, 764–770), marking a complex period in the Nara era.

After Empress Meishō, only one more woman would assume the role of empress regnant:

• Empress Go-Sakuramachi (後桜町天皇, 1762–1771), who reigned over a century later, becoming the eighth and final female monarch of Japan.

These eight women represent extraordinary figures in a largely male-dominated succession, each navigating unique political and social landscapes to preserve the continuity of the imperial lineage.

Frequently Asked Questions about Empress Meishō and Female Monarchs in Japan

When did Empress Meishō reign?

Empress Meishō reigned from 1629 to 1643. She ascended the throne at the age of five and abdicated at 19.

Was Empress Meishō a powerful ruler?

While Empress Meishō held the title of monarch, her reign was largely symbolic. True political power during this period resided with the Tokugawa Shogunate, particularly under Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu, who exerted significant influence over imperial affairs.

How many empresses regnant have there been in Japanese history?

There have been eight empresses regnant in Japan's long history. Empress Meishō was the seventh of these remarkable female monarchs.

Who were the other female empresses regnant in Japan?

The six empresses who reigned before Meishō were Suiko, Kōgyoku/Saimei, Jitō, Genmei, Genshō, and Kōken/Shōtoku. Her sole female successor was Empress Go-Sakuramachi.

Why were female empresses so rare in Japan?

While early Japanese law did not prohibit female succession, later traditional and Confucian ideologies, especially during the Edo period when the Tokugawa Shogunate was dominant, favored male lineage. Female empresses often ascended the throne to manage succession crises or to serve as temporary placeholders until a suitable male heir was ready to rule.