Background
She enjoys the distinction of being the last daughter of an emperor who would herself rise to the position of empress.
欣子内親王
She enjoys the distinction of being the last daughter of an emperor who would herself rise to the position of empress.
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. 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. Family relationships Yoshiko"s father, Emperor Go-Momozono, died without a son when she was ten months old.
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 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.
In 1841, she changed her name to Shin-Seiwa-In (新清和院, Shin-seiwa-in). Yoshiko died at age 67 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.