Shichijo-in

Japanese: 七条院 - しちじょういん

Year of death: 2nd September 16th, 1228 (10th October 15th, 1228)
Year of birth: 1157
A female emperor in the early Kamakura period. Her name was Shigeko. She was the daughter of Fujiwara Nobutaka, a trusted aide to Emperor Goshirakawa, Shuri-no-taifu (posthumous minister of the left). She first served Emperor Takakura's Empress Taira Tokuko (Kenreimon'in) under the title of Hyoe no Kokujo, but later became a court lady to Emperor Takakura, and gave birth to Prince Morisada (Retired Emperor Gotakakura) and Emperor Gotoba with her. On April 19, 1190 (Kenkyu 1), she was promoted to Junior Third Rank and Jun-sango, and on the 22nd of the same month, she was proclaimed an empress. She had an extremely close relationship with Gotoba, wielding great influence as the mother of the nation, and was given many manors (Shichijo-in territory) by Gotoba. She also raised Prince Dosuke, born to her niece Nishi no Mikata (daughter of Bomon Nobumasa) and Gotoba, as an adopted son.

(Kiyoko Akiyama)

Source: Asahi Japanese Historical Biography: Asahi Shimbun Publications Inc. About Asahi Japanese Historical Biography

Japanese:

没年：安貞2.9.16(1228.10.15)
生年：保元2(1157)
鎌倉前期の女院。名は殖子。後白河院の近臣修理大夫(贈左大臣)藤原信隆の娘。初め高倉天皇の中宮平徳子(建礼門院)に仕えて兵衛督局と称したが,のち高倉天皇の典侍となり,天皇との間に守貞親王(後高倉上皇),後鳥羽天皇を生む。建久1(1190)年4月19日,従三位・准三后,同月22日院号宣下。後鳥羽との関係は極めて親密で,国母として権勢を有し,後鳥羽より多くの荘園を譲られた(七条院領)。また姪の西御方(坊門信清の娘)が後鳥羽との間に生んだ道助法親王を猶子として養育した。

(秋山喜代子)

出典　朝日日本歴史人物事典：（株）朝日新聞出版朝日日本歴史人物事典について　情報

<<: Seven voices - Shichisei

>>: Ministry of Home Affairs