Princess Teishi

In 1036, when her husband became Emperor, she was made his Secondary Empress, and promoted to Principal Empress the following year. In 1037, however, Fujiwara no Genshi, daughter of Fujiwara no Yorimichi, was made Secondary Empress and became the Emperors favorite, and Teishi was no longer allowed to enter the Inner Imperial Palace.[1] This soured relations between Teishi and Yorimichi. In 1039, Geishi died, and Teishi was allowed back to the Imperial Palace, which she originally refused, but finally she returned to the palace in 1042. At that time, she was the sole empress but Norimichi wanted to make his own daughter, Consort Seishi to empress but this was prevented by Empress Teishi’s faction. Despite being empress, Consort Senshi was the most favored consort of emperor. But the Crown Prince Chikahito was the official stepson of Teishi and she raised him in the past so her position was secured.

[2]

In 1045, her husband died. Teishi was given the title of Empress Dowager. But her relationship with her stepson became tense, and shorthy after enthronement, Emperor Go Suzaku forbade her mother to see her daughter who was involved in a scandal at that time. As Empress Dowager, her biggest concern was to ensure the succession of her son, Crown Prince Takahito. Regent Yorimichi humiliated him constantly and the regent had considerable influence on the emperor. So Teishi started to organize a political faction with high ranked nobility to protect and support the crown prince. At the meantime, Yorimichi arranged for her daughter, Hiroko to become Empress in 1051, with the intention of a new heir, who can replace Teishi’s son. But Hiroko didn’t became pregnant, so Teishi’s son remained the crown prince.

[3]

In 1068, her son succeeded to the throne, and Teishi became Grand Empress Dowager with full power, as Shoshi gave her all privileges to Teishi. The new policy was the ending of Sekkan-e (when regent rules instead of the emperor) but as a compromise Norimichi was appointed regent, thus Teishi finally removed Yorimichi from office. Teishi raised her grandchildren born by Princess Moshi (the deceased wife of Emperor Go Sanjo) including the future Emperor Shirakawa.

The marriage of Emperor Horikawa and Princess Tokushi was Teishi’s idea, to strengthen the imperial ties. She didn’t a Fujiwara empress, so she choose a princess. She organized a poetry contest in 1093. In the same year, she arranged her granddaughter, Princess Tokushi to become Empress.

Yōmeimon-in. [4]

Issue

• Imperial Prince Takahito (尊仁親王) (Emperor Go-Sanjō) (1034–1073)
• Imperial Princess Nagako/Ryōshi (良子内親王) (1029–1077) - Saiō at Ise Shrine 1036–1045 (Ippon-Jusangū, 一品准三宮)
• Imperial Princess Kenshi (娟子内親王) (1032–1103) - Saiin at Kamo Shrine 1036–1045, and later married to Minamoto no Toshifusa (源俊房)