Empress Meishō facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Empress Meishō明正天皇 |
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| Empress of Japan | |
| Reign | December 22, 1629 – November 14, 1643 |
| Coronation | October 17, 1630 |
| Predecessor | Go-Mizunoo |
| Successor | Go-Kōmyō |
| Shōguns | Tokugawa Iemitsu |
| Born | Okiko (興子) January 9, 1624 |
| Died | December 4, 1696 (aged 72) |
| Burial | Tsuki no wa no misasagi, Kyoto |
| House | Yamato |
| Father | Emperor Go-Mizunoo |
| Mother | Tokugawa Masako |
Empress Meishō (明正天皇, Meishō-tennō, January 9, 1624 – December 4, 1696) was the 109th ruler of Japan. She followed the traditional order of succession. Her time as empress lasted from 1629 to 1643.
In Japanese history, Meishō was the seventh of eight women to become an empress. The six empresses who ruled before her were Suiko, Kōgyoku/Saimei, Jitō, Genmei, Genshō, and Kōken/Shōtoku. Her only female successor was Go-Sakuramachi.
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Empress Meishō's Family and Early Life
Before Meishō became empress, her personal name was Okiko (興子). Her title before becoming empress was Onna-Ichi-no-miya (女一宮). She was the second daughter of Emperor Go-Mizunoo.
Her mother was Tokugawa Masako. Masako was the daughter of the second Tokugawa shōgun, Tokugawa Hidetada. Hidetada was the son of Tokugawa Ieyasu, a very famous leader.
Meishō lived in the Inner Apartments of the Heian Palace. This was a special part of the palace, not just for all the women of the Imperial Court. She did not have any children of her own. Her younger half-brother, Go-Kōmyō, became the next emperor after her.
Her name, Meishō, was created by combining parts of the names of two earlier empresses. These were Empress Genmei (who ruled from 707–715) and her daughter Empress Genshō (who ruled from 715–724).
Key Events During Meishō's Reign
Okiko became empress after her father, Emperor Go-Mizunoo, decided to step down. This act of stepping down is called senso. Soon after, Empress Meishō officially took the throne, which is known as sokui. She was only 5 years old when she became empress.
Her reign happened during a time when the Tokugawa shogunate was growing stronger. This powerful government was led by Tokugawa Iemitsu.
Here are some important events from her life and reign:
- January 9, 1624: The princess who would become Empress Meishō was born.
- 1627': An event known as the "Purple Robe Incident" happened. Emperor Go-Mizunoo gave special purple robes to priests. However, the shōgun had banned these robes for two years. The shogunate stepped in and said the robes could not be given. This showed the shōguns power over the emperor.
- December 22, 1629: Her father gave up the throne to his daughter. Meishō was 5 years old. She was the first woman to rule Japan since Empress Shōtoku, who died in 770.
- 1632: The former shōgun, Tokugawa Hidetada, passed away.
- 1633: An earthquake struck in Odawara.
- 1634: Shōgun Tokugawa Iemitsu visited Miyako. Many believe that Empress Meishō's father actually made most of the decisions for her until she stepped down.
- 1635: An ambassador from King Injo of Korea came to Miyako.
- 1637': A large rebellion broke out in Arima and Shimabara. Many Christians were part of this uprising. The shōguns forces were sent to stop it.
- 1638: The Arima and Shimabara revolt was crushed. About 37,000 rebels were killed. After this, the Christian religion was completely banned in Japan. Anyone practicing it could be put to death.
- 1640: A Spanish ship from Macau arrived in Nagasaki with 61 people. They arrived on July 6, 1640, but by August 9, all of them were executed. This showed Japan's strict policy against foreign influence.
- 1641: Meishō's half-brother, Prince Tsuguhito, was named the next Crown Prince.
- 1643: Another ambassador from the King of Korea arrived in Japan.
- November 14, 1643: After 15 years, Empress Meishō gave up the throne. Her brother became the next ruler.
- 1643: Emperor Go-Kōmyō officially took the throne.
Empress Meishō ruled for fifteen years. Even though there were other empresses who ruled, their successors were usually male relatives. This is why some people argue that women's reigns were only temporary. They believe that only men should rule in the 21st century. Empress Genmei, who was followed by her daughter Empress Gensho, is the only exception to this idea.
- December 4, 1696: The former empress died at 72 years old.
Imperial Mausoleum
The spirit of Empress Meishō is honored at the imperial burial site called Tsuki no wa no misasagi. This place is located at Sennyū-ji in Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto. Her father, Emperor Go-Mizunoo, is also buried there. Many other emperors who came after her are also enshrined there. These include Go-Kōmyō, Go-Sai, Reigen, Higashiyama, Nakamikado, Sakuramachi, Momozono, Go-Sakuramachi and Go-Momozono.
Important Court Officials (Kugyō)
Kugyō (公卿) is a special name for a small group of very powerful men. These men worked closely with the Emperor of Japan before the Meiji period. Even when the emperor's power outside the palace was small, this group still held high positions.
Usually, this elite group had only three or four men at a time. They were from noble families and had a lot of experience. During Empress Meishō's reign, some of the top officials included:
- Sesshō, Ichijō Akiyoshi, from 1629–1635
- Sesshō, Nijō Yasumichi, from 1635–1647
Time Periods During Meishō's Rule
The years of Empress Meishō's reign fall within one era name or nengō.
- Kan'ei (1624–1644)
See also
In Spanish: Meishō Tennō para niños
