Princess Junshi | Today's AI Wiki

1. Overview

Princess Junshi (珣子内親王_{Shunshi/Tamako-naishinnō}^Japanese), also known as Shin-Muromachi-in (新室町院^Japanese), was a Japanese imperial princess who became the empress consort (Chūgū) of Emperor Go-Daigo, the 96th emperor of Japan and the first emperor of the Southern Court. Born in 1311 as the first imperial daughter of Emperor Go-Fushimi and his empress, Saionji Neishi, Princess Junshi's life was intertwined with the turbulent dynastic struggles of the Jimyōin line and Daikakuji line that defined the late Kamakura period and the subsequent Nanboku-chō period. Her marriage to Emperor Go-Daigo was a strategic political union aimed at reconciling the two rival imperial lines. Despite its political nature, Emperor Go-Daigo demonstrated profound affection for her, notably through an unprecedented number of prayer rituals during her pregnancy. The birth of a daughter, rather than a male heir, had significant indirect consequences, contributing to the instability that led to the collapse of the Kenmu Restoration and the prolonged Nanboku-chō wars. Her life and the events surrounding her, particularly Emperor Go-Daigo's personal sentiments expressed in poetry, left a notable, albeit indirect, mark on Japanese history and culture.

2. Early Life and Family Background

Princess Junshi's early life was shaped by her prominent imperial lineage and the ongoing succession disputes between the Jimyōin and Daikakuji imperial lines, which profoundly influenced the political landscape of her era.

2.1. Birth and Parentage

Princess Junshi was born on March 13, 1311 (Enkyō^Japanese 4, 2nd month, 23rd day) in Kyoto, at the Tokiwai-dono residence. She was the first imperial daughter of Emperor Go-Fushimi, the 93rd emperor of Japan, and his empress, Saionji Neishi (also known as Kōgimon'in, 広義門院^Japanese). She was the elder sister of Emperor Kōgon, who later became the first Northern Pretender, and Emperor Kōmyō, the second Northern Pretender. Her mother, Saionji Neishi, was the daughter of Saionji Kimihira, a powerful court noble who served as the Kantō Mōshitsugi, an intermediary between the Imperial Court and the Kamakura shogunate. Her birth was met with high expectations from both Emperor Go-Fushimi and the Saionji family, who hoped for the birth of an imperial prince who would strengthen the Jimyōin line and potentially produce a future empress from the Saionji lineage.

2.2. Imperial Lineage and Succession Disputes

During the 13th and 14th centuries, the Japanese imperial succession was characterized by a unique system known as Ryōtō Tetsuritsu (alternating succession), where the throne would "swap" between two rival imperial lines: the Jimyōin line and the Daikakuji line. Emperor Go-Fushimi belonged to the Jimyōin line, while her future husband, Emperor Go-Daigo, belonged to the Daikakuji line. This dynastic struggle created a volatile political environment, with each line vying for control and influence over the imperial court. Despite being a princess, Junshi received exceptional treatment due to her status as the first child of Emperor Go-Fushimi's principal consort. Records indicate that she was treated with unusual deference, including a sword ceremony typically reserved for imperial princes, highlighting her significant standing within the Jimyōin line. She was granted the title of Imperial Princess on June 15 of her birth year and was elevated to the first rank (Ippon) on February 21, 1318. She was considered second only to her younger brother, Imperial Prince Kazuhito (later Emperor Kōgon), who was the designated heir of the Jimyōin line.

2.3. Childhood and Upbringing

Princess Junshi spent her early life at the Tokiwai-dono, a residence in Kyoto that served as a key meeting point for both the Jimyōin and Daikakuji lines, as well as the Saionji family. This residence had a rich history, having been built as a villa for Saionji Sanekane and later passed through several imperial figures, including Ōmiya-in (Empress of Emperor Go-Saga), Emperor Kameyama, and Shōkunmon-in (consort of Emperor Kameyama). In the final years of the Kamakura period, it was used as an imperial palace by both Emperor Fushimi and Emperor Go-Fushimi of the Jimyōin line. Her upbringing was marked by the special attention she received from her father, Emperor Go-Fushimi, who deeply cherished her as his first child with his principal consort. Her education likely encompassed the traditional arts and classical literature expected of an imperial princess, preparing her for a life at court.

3. Political Context and Marriage

The political climate of early 14th-century Japan was fraught with conflict, and Princess Junshi's marriage to Emperor Go-Daigo was a pivotal event driven by strategic political motivations aimed at stabilizing the imperial succession.

3.1. Historical Setting

In 1318, Emperor Go-Daigo of the Daikakuji line ascended the throne. His reign was marked by a strong desire to restore direct imperial rule and overthrow the Kamakura shogunate. This ambition led to the Genkō War (1331-1333), during which Go-Daigo's initial plot to depose the shogunate was discovered. In response, the shogunate removed him from the throne and replaced him with Emperor Kōgon of the Jimyōin line, Princess Junshi's younger brother. However, after significant conflict, Go-Daigo successfully regained the throne in 1333, initiating the Kenmu Restoration. This period was characterized by Go-Daigo's attempts to establish a new imperial government, but it quickly faced internal strife and external challenges, ultimately leading to the onset of the Nanboku-chō period, a prolonged era of civil war between the rival Northern and Southern Courts.

3.2. Marriage to Emperor Go-Daigo

As part of his strategy to consolidate power and neutralize the potential threat posed by Emperor Kōgon and the Jimyōin family, Emperor Go-Daigo orchestrated a marriage with Princess Junshi. This union, which took place in December 1333 (Genkō^Japanese 3, 12th month, 7th day), saw Princess Junshi enthroned as Empress (Chūgū). At the time of their marriage, Emperor Go-Daigo was 46 years old, and Princess Junshi was 23. This marriage occurred shortly after the death of Go-Daigo's beloved principal consort, Saionji Kishi, in October 1333, which had deeply affected him. The timing of Junshi's enthronement coincided with other significant political moves, including the bestowal of the title of Daijō Tennō (Retired Emperor) upon Kōgon and the marriage of Go-Daigo's daughter, Imperial Princess Kanshi (from his union with Saionji Kishi), to Emperor Kōgon. These events collectively represented a large-scale appeasement policy towards the Jimyōin line.

3.3. Political Significance and Strategy

The marriage between Emperor Go-Daigo and Princess Junshi was a highly strategic alliance designed to bridge the deep divide between the Daikakuji and Jimyōin imperial lines. By marrying a princess from the rival Jimyōin line, Go-Daigo aimed to foster reconciliation and create a unified imperial front, which was crucial for the stability of his newly established Kenmu Restoration. The marriage also served to placate the powerful Saionji family, Princess Junshi's maternal relatives, whose influence had waned with the fall of the Kamakura shogunate. Saionji Kimimune, Princess Junshi's cousin and a former Kantō Mōshitsugi, was appointed as the Chūgū Daibu (Chief of the Empress's Household), further demonstrating Go-Daigo's efforts to integrate the Saionji into his new government.

Historians, such as Ryūshō Miura, have highlighted the profound significance of this marriage, suggesting it was a crucial, albeit largely overlooked, political maneuver for the Kenmu government's survival. It is believed that Go-Daigo may have intended for a future son born to Junshi, who would carry the blood of both imperial lines, to become the legitimate heir, thereby ensuring a smoother succession and broader acceptance of his rule. This interpretation is supported by the fact that while Imperial Prince Tsuneyoshi, son of Go-Daigo and his concubine Ano Renko, was named Crown Prince a month after Junshi's enthronement, he may have been considered an interim heir, with the expectation that Junshi would bear the ultimate successor.

4. Pregnancy and Birth

Princess Junshi's pregnancy was a highly anticipated event, marked by elaborate ceremonies and an unprecedented level of devotion from Emperor Go-Daigo, who commissioned extensive prayer rituals for a successful birth.

4.1. Pregnancy and Ceremonies

The year after their marriage, Princess Junshi became pregnant. In October 1334 (Kenmu^Japanese 1, 10th month, 16th day), the traditional Obi-iwai (着帯の儀_{chakutai no gi}^Japanese), a ceremony for the fifth month of pregnancy, was performed. This ritual, where a special sash is wrapped around the expectant mother's abdomen, symbolized prayers for a safe delivery and the healthy development of the child. The preparations for the birth were extensive, reflecting the high hopes placed on the imperial couple to produce an heir.

4.2. Imperial Prayer Rituals

Emperor Go-Daigo's profound affection for Princess Junshi and his earnest desire for a successful birth were evident in the extraordinary scale of the prayer rituals he commissioned. Records show that a remarkable sixty-six prayer rituals were conducted from February 5, 1335, until mid-March, the expected delivery date. This number was the highest recorded for any imperial consort during that period, far exceeding the average number of prayers commissioned by other emperors for their consorts. For instance, Emperor Go-Fushimi averaged 24.2 times per birth, Emperor Go-Fukakusa 23 times, and Emperor Kameyama 20.3 times. Even Go-Daigo's previous beloved consort, Saionji Kishi, received an average of 33.3 times per birth, making Junshi's sixty-six prayers double that average, underscoring Go-Daigo's deep personal investment.

The prayers were not only funded by Go-Daigo's family and retainers but also received support from the Jimyōin imperial family and the prominent Saionji aristocratic house, further highlighting the political significance of the pregnancy. For example, Emperor Kōgon (Junshi's brother) and his wife, Imperial Princess Kanshi (Go-Daigo's daughter), contributed to the funding. Imperial Prince Sonchō Hōshinnō (later Prince Munenaga), Go-Daigo's fourth son and the head of the Tendai sect at Enryaku-ji, acted as both a sponsor and an executor of the prayers. Even prominent warriors like Ashikaga Takauji and Nitta Yoshisada, who had been instrumental in Go-Daigo's restoration, participated as sponsors.

The delivery took place at the Tokiwai-dono, the same residence where Princess Junshi was born. This choice of location was significant as it served as a symbolic nexus for the Daikakuji, Jimyōin, and Saionji families. Furthermore, Go-Daigo appointed Hamuro Nagaaki, a close retainer of Emperor Kōgon, as the Osan Bugyō (Delivery Commissioner). This appointment demonstrated Go-Daigo's continued efforts to maintain a conciliatory approach towards the Jimyōin line, even in such a personal matter.

The table below illustrates the number of prayer rituals commissioned for imperial consorts during this period, as recorded in the "Osan Goki Mokuroku" (御産御祈目録):

Imperial Prayer Rituals (from "Osan Goki Mokuroku")
Japanese Calendar	Western Calendar	Consort	Empress Title	Spouse	Number of Rituals
Kōchō 2	1262	Saionji Kimiko	Tōnijō-in	Emperor Go-Fukakusa	27
Kōchō 2	1262	Tōin Kisshi	Kyōgoku-in	Emperor Kameyama	27
Bun'ei 2	1265	Tōin Kisshi	Kyōgoku-in	Emperor Kameyama	10
Bun'ei 2	1265	Saionji Kimiko	Tōnijō-in	Emperor Go-Fukakusa	26
Bun'ei 4	1267	Tōin Kisshi	Kyōgoku-in	Emperor Kameyama	15
Bun'ei 7	1270	Saionji Kimiko	Tōnijō-in	Emperor Go-Fukakusa	15
Kenji 2	1276	Konoe Ishi	Shin'yōmeimon-in	Emperor Kameyama	25
Kōan 2	1279	Konoe Ishi	Shin'yōmeimon-in	Emperor Kameyama	9
Ken'en 2	1303	Saionji Eishi	Shōkunmon-in	Emperor Kameyama	36
Enkyō 3	1311	Saionji Neishi	Kōgimon-in	Emperor Go-Fushimi	51
Shōwa 2	1313	Saionji Neishi	Kōgimon-in	Emperor Go-Fushimi	34
Shōwa 3	1314	Saionji Kishi	Gokyōgoku-in	Emperor Go-Daigo	35
Shōwa 4	1315	Saionji Kishi	Gokyōgoku-in	Emperor Go-Daigo	22
Shōwa 4	1315	Saionji Neishi	Kōgimon-in	Emperor Go-Fushimi	16
Bunpō 3	1319	Saionji Neishi	Kōgimon-in	Emperor Go-Fushimi	10
Genkō 1	1321	Saionji Neishi	Kōgimon-in	Emperor Go-Fushimi	10
Karyaku 1	1326	Saionji Kishi	Gokyōgoku-in	Emperor Go-Daigo	43
Kenmu 2	1335	Princess Junshi	Shin-Muromachi-in	Emperor Go-Daigo	66
Kenmu 4	1337	Imperial Princess Kanshi	Sen'seimon-in	Emperor Kōgon	10

5. Historical Impact

The outcome of Princess Junshi's pregnancy and the subsequent events had profound, albeit indirect, consequences that significantly influenced the course of Japanese history, particularly the collapse of the Kenmu Restoration and the escalation of the Nanboku-chō period.

5.1. Consequences of the Daughter's Birth

In mid-March 1335 (Kenmu^Japanese 2), Princess Junshi gave birth. Despite the immense prayers and expectations, the child was an imperial daughter, Imperial Princess Sachiko (幸子内親王^Japanese). The failure to produce a male heir from this politically significant union had immediate and far-reaching implications. Just three months after the birth, on June 22, Princess Junshi's cousin, Saionji Kimimune, was arrested for plotting the assassination of Emperor Go-Daigo. Kimimune, who had previously wielded immense power as the Kantō Mōshitsugi, had seen his influence wane significantly after the fall of the Kamakura shogunate. While the exact reasons for his plot remain unclear, some historians suggest it stemmed from his frustration over the decline of the Saionji family's power. Had Princess Junshi given birth to a son, who would have carried the blood of both the Jimyōin and Daikakuji lines and potentially ascended the throne, it is highly questionable whether Kimimune would have dared to conspire against the emperor.

5.2. Contribution to the Nanboku-chō Period

The assassination plot by Saionji Kimimune, triggered by the absence of a male heir and the perceived decline of the Saionji family, marked a critical turning point. Almost concurrently, Hōjō Tokiyuki, a surviving heir of the Hōjō clan, launched the Nakasedai Rebellion in the Kantō region. Ashikaga Tadayoshi, brother of Ashikaga Takauji, was defeated by Tokiyuki, prompting Takauji to march east to assist. This chain of events led to the Kenmu Rebellion, a direct conflict between Emperor Go-Daigo and Ashikaga Takauji, which ultimately resulted in the collapse of the Kenmu government. The Kimimune incident is thus seen as the beginning of the end for the Kenmu Restoration.

While military chronicles like Taiheiki often portray the Kenmu Restoration as a period of misrule that inevitably led to its downfall, modern historical research, particularly since the 2010s, largely refutes this view. Scholars like Yūichi Goza argue that Emperor Go-Daigo's reforms were practical and effective, and the collapse of his government was not a foregone conclusion but rather a series of unfortunate, accidental events. One significant factor in this chain of events was the gender of Princess Junshi's child. The birth of a daughter, rather than a son, indirectly contributed to the political instability, the Saionji family's discontent, and the subsequent rebellions that plunged Japan into the prolonged Nanboku-chō wars. This outcome was a tragic turn of events for which no one could be held responsible.

6. Later Life and Death

Following the birth of her daughter and the collapse of the Kenmu Restoration, Princess Junshi's life continued amidst the escalating civil war.

6.1. Life during the Nanboku-chō Period

After the fall of the Kenmu government and the onset of the Nanboku-chō wars in January 1337 (En'en^Japanese 1 / Kenmu^Japanese 3, 12th month, 21st day), it remains uncertain whether Princess Junshi stayed in Kyoto, the capital of the Northern Court, or followed Emperor Go-Daigo to the provisional Southern Court capital at Yoshino Imperial Palace. However, given that she was formally recognized as Empress by the Northern Court for approximately one month after the conflict began, it is plausible that she remained in Kyoto. Conversely, if the theory that her daughter became Imperial Princess Sachiko of the Southern Court is correct, it is also possible that Junshi, despite her nominal affiliation with the Northern Court, accompanied her husband to Yoshino with their infant child.

6.2. Death

Princess Junshi received the imperial title of Shin-Muromachi-in from the Northern Court on February 17, 1337 (En'en^Japanese 2 / Kenmu^Japanese 4, 1st month, 16th day). Her elevation to Nyōin (Empress Dowager or Retired Empress) status meant that officials of her Empress's Household, such as Chūgū Daibu Horikawa Tomochika, Chūgū Gon-Daibu Imadegawa Sanetada, and Chūgū Suke Hamuro Nagamitsu, resigned their posts.

Princess Junshi died on June 11, 1337 (En'en^Japanese 2 / Kenmu^Japanese 4, 5th month, 12th day), at the age of 27 (by traditional Japanese reckoning). Her daughter was only three years old at the time. Her husband, Emperor Go-Daigo, passed away two years later, on September 19, 1339 (En'en^Japanese 4 / Ryakuō^Japanese 2, 8th month, 16th day), at the age of 52.

7. Legacy and Cultural Contributions

Princess Junshi's legacy is primarily characterized by Emperor Go-Daigo's deep personal affection for her and the potential contributions of her daughter to Japanese poetry, underscoring her indirect but significant role in a pivotal era.

7.1. Emperor Go-Daigo's Affection and Poetry

Despite their marriage being a political arrangement, Emperor Go-Daigo harbored deep affection for Princess Junshi. This sentiment is beautifully captured in two waka poems he composed for her on a screen during her enthronement ceremony in 1333. These poems are considered exceptional works, having been included in both the imperial anthology Shinshūi Wakashū (新拾遺和歌集^Japanese) and the quasi-imperial anthology Shin'yō Wakashū (新葉和歌集^Japanese).

One of these poems, from Shinshūi Wakashū (Winter, 622), also appears in Shin'yō Wakashū (Winter, 501) with a slight variation:
袖かへす天つ乙女も思ひ出ずや吉野の宮の昔語りを^Japanese
(Sode kaesu / Amatsu otome mo / Omoidezu ya / Yoshino no miya no / Mukashigatari o)
This poem, roughly translated, means: "Even you, heavenly maiden who turns her sleeves (in dance), should recall the old tales of Yoshino Palace." It alludes to the legendary Gosechi no Mai (五節舞^Japanese), a dance performed by "heavenly maidens," and the historical connection of Yoshino to Emperor Tenmu. It implies that Princess Junshi's grace rivals that of a heavenly maiden, and she should remember the historical significance of Yoshino, where Emperor Tenmu was said to have been captivated by a similar dance. A monument inscribed with this poem (from the Shin'yō Wakashū version) stands at the Yoshino Imperial Palace ruins in Yoshino, Nara, serving as a tangible reminder of the bond between the imperial couple.

The second poem, from Shin'yō Wakashū (Shinto, 594), also found in Shin Senzai Wakashū (Shinto, 982), speaks of the Kasuga Festival:
立ちよらばつかさづかさも心せよ藤の鳥居の花の下陰^Japanese
(Tachiyoraba / Tsukasa-zukasa mo / Kokoro seyo / Fuji no torii no / Hana no shitakage)
This poem can be interpreted as: "If one approaches, let all officials take heed, beneath the shade of the wisteria torii flowers." It refers to the Kasuga Festival at Kasuga Grand Shrine in Nara, where only members of the Fujiwara clan were permitted to pass through the "wisteria torii." The poem suggests that just as the Kasuga Festival is solemn, so too is this marriage. It implores all court officials to pay close attention not to the plum blossoms (the "flowers" in the context of the festival's season), but to their shade, implying the profound beauty and noble lineage of Princess Junshi, a descendant of the Saionji (Fujiwara) family, who is now embarking on her new role as empress.

The "wisteria *torii*" at Kasuga Grand Shrine in Nara, mentioned in Emperor Go-Daigo's poem for Princess Junshi.

7.2. Daughter's Legacy

The exact fate of Princess Junshi's daughter remains uncertain. However, some historical theories, including one by Naoshige Tsukui in the 18th-century Nanchō Kōin Shōunroku and supported by modern historians like Ryūshō Miura, suggest that she may have been Imperial Princess Sachiko (幸子内親王^Japanese). If this theory is correct, Imperial Princess Sachiko survived until at least 1365 (Shōhei^Japanese 20 / Jōji^Japanese 4), when she participated in a poetry gathering as a "newcomer." She developed into a distinguished poet of the Southern Court, with six of her waka poems included in the Shin'yō Wakashū. Notably, one of her poems in the travel section (Shin'yō Wakashū, Kikyō, 571) is placed immediately before a famous poem by Emperor Go-Daigo reminiscing about the warrior Nawa Nagatoshi, indicating her significant role in guiding the reader to her father's imperial verse.

7.3. Historical Evaluation

Princess Junshi's life, though not marked by direct political power or grand achievements, holds significant historical importance as an indirect influencer of major events. Her marriage to Emperor Go-Daigo was a crucial political maneuver that aimed to reconcile the warring imperial lines and stabilize the Kenmu Restoration. The failure to produce a male heir from this union, a factor beyond her control, inadvertently contributed to the discontent that fueled the assassination plot by her cousin and subsequently escalated into the Nanboku-chō wars. Her story highlights the intricate gender dynamics within the imperial court, where imperial consorts, despite their limited direct political agency, could profoundly impact succession and political stability through their lineage and childbearing. Emperor Go-Daigo's enduring affection for her, as expressed in his poetry, also provides a poignant glimpse into the personal side of a monarch during a tumultuous era, adding a human dimension to the historical narrative.