Teishi-naishinnō

, also known as , was an empress consort of Emperor Go-Suzaku of Japan. She wielded major influence during the reign of her son, Emperor Go Sanjo (1068-1073), but she was de facto ruler from 1073 to 1094, during the early reign of Emperor Shirakawa. Life She was the third daughter of Emperor Sanjō and the mother of Emperor Go-Sanjō. In 1023, she had her coming of age ceremony, and was elevated to the title of First Princess. In 1027, she married her second cousin, the Crown Prince. Reportedly, she cried miserably at her wedding because she didn’t want to marry the prince. Not long after her mother, Empress Dowager Kenshi died, but Grand Empress Dowager Shoshi cared for her. She was also adored by the powerful chief minister Michinaga. She gave birth to Prince Takahito in 1032, so it was obvious that she will ascend the throne one day, so it helped to secure the Crown Princess’s position. During the tenure as crown princess, she was her husband’s only wife, which was rare at that time. So it seems that they became an affectionate couple. Empress 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. 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. Later life 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.