Princess Tochi
Encyclopedia
was a Japanese princess during the Asuka period
of Japanese history. She was a daughter of Emperor Temmu and the Empress-consort of Emperor Kōbun
.
She married Prince Ōtomo, today known as Emperor Kōbun
, and gave birth to a son, Prince Kadono. She and her son followed Prince Ōtomo and lived in the capital of Omikyō in Ōmi Province
(today in Ōtsu
, Shiga). Prince Ōtomo acceded the Imperial dignity after his father, Emperor Tenji
, had died, and then she accordingly became the Empress-consort.
In 672, Prince Ōtomo was killed in the Jinshin War
. Lost her husband, she moved with her son to the palace of Asuka Kiyomihara
(today it is in Asuka
, Nara
), where Emperor Temmu built a new capital after he won the war.
to see Princess Ōku, who was staying there as a Saiō
(斎王) to serve the goddess of the shrine.
In 678, Princess Tōchi was appointed a Saiō by divination and was supposed to leave her residence to stay in the abstinence palace (斎宮, Saikū) in the 7th day of the 4th month, when she suddenly died in the residence. According to Nihonshoki, it is recorded that she died from sudden illness, but quite a few historians insist that she killed herself.
composed for her three verses of lament, which are all of his verses that were collected in Man'yōshū. Not a few people believe that he secretly loved her, not only because these poems contain strong feelings of love to her, but because the people hope that, since she probably had to be in a very tough situation after the Jinshin War as "enemy's wife," she would've been happier than reality.
Asuka period
The , was a period in the history of Japan lasting from 538 to 710 , although its beginning could be said to overlap with the preceding Kofun period...
of Japanese history. She was a daughter of Emperor Temmu and the Empress-consort of Emperor Kōbun
Emperor Kobun
was the 39th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Kōbun's reign lasted only a few months in 671–672.-Traditional narrative:...
.
Genealogy
Princess Tōchi was a daughter of Emperor Temmu. Her mother was Princess Nukata, who was known as a renowned court poet.She married Prince Ōtomo, today known as Emperor Kōbun
Emperor Kobun
was the 39th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Kōbun's reign lasted only a few months in 671–672.-Traditional narrative:...
, and gave birth to a son, Prince Kadono. She and her son followed Prince Ōtomo and lived in the capital of Omikyō in Ōmi Province
Omi Province
is an old province of Japan, which today comprises Shiga Prefecture. It was one of the provinces that made up the Tōsandō circuit. It is nicknamed as .Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, is located at the center of the province...
(today in Ōtsu
Otsu, Shiga
is the capital city of Shiga, Japan. The city was founded on October 1, 1898. As of October 1, 2010, the city has an estimated population of 338,629 with an average age of 40.7 years and a population density of 905.28 persons per km²...
, Shiga). Prince Ōtomo acceded the Imperial dignity after his father, Emperor Tenji
Emperor Tenji
, also known as Emperor Tenchi, was the 38th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Tenji's reign spanned the years from 661 through 671.-Traditional narrative:...
, had died, and then she accordingly became the Empress-consort.
In 672, Prince Ōtomo was killed in the Jinshin War
Jinshin War
The was a succession dispute in Japan which broke out in 672 following the death of Emperor Tenji. The name refers to the jinshin or ninth year of the sixty-year Jikkan Jūnishi calendrical cycle, corresponding to the Western year 673....
. Lost her husband, she moved with her son to the palace of Asuka Kiyomihara
Asuka, Yamato
was one of the Imperial capitals of Japan during the Asuka period , which takes its name from this place. It is located in the present-day village of Asuka, Nara Prefecture....
(today it is in Asuka
Asuka, Nara
is a village located in Takaichi District, Nara, Japan.As of September 1, 2007, the village has an estimated population of 6,146 and a density of 255.23 persons per km². The total area is 24.08 km².Asuka is the land where ancient palaces were located...
, Nara
Nara Prefecture
is a prefecture in the Kansai region on Honshū Island, Japan. The capital is the city of Nara.-History:The present-day Nara Prefecture was created in 1887, making it independent of Osaka Prefecture....
), where Emperor Temmu built a new capital after he won the war.
After the Jinshin War
No activities regarding her are recorded after the war, except the event that in the second month of 675 she visited the Ise Jingu shrine with Princess AbeEmpress Gemmei
, also known as Empress Genmyō, was the 43rd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession.Gemmei's reign spanned the years 707 through 715....
to see Princess Ōku, who was staying there as a Saiō
Saio
A , also known as "Itsuki no Miko", was an unmarried female relative of the Japanese emperor, sent to Ise to serve at Ise Grand Shrine from the late 7th century until the 14th century. The Saiō's residence, Saikū , was approximately 10 km north-west of the shrine...
(斎王) to serve the goddess of the shrine.
In 678, Princess Tōchi was appointed a Saiō by divination and was supposed to leave her residence to stay in the abstinence palace (斎宮, Saikū) in the 7th day of the 4th month, when she suddenly died in the residence. According to Nihonshoki, it is recorded that she died from sudden illness, but quite a few historians insist that she killed herself.
Her love affairs
When she died, Prince TakechiPrince Takechi
was a member of the royal family in Japan during the Asuka Period. He was the eldest son of Emperor Tenmu. He fought on the side of his father in the Jinshin War , a battle of succession, which resulted in his father becoming Emperor...
composed for her three verses of lament, which are all of his verses that were collected in Man'yōshū. Not a few people believe that he secretly loved her, not only because these poems contain strong feelings of love to her, but because the people hope that, since she probably had to be in a very tough situation after the Jinshin War as "enemy's wife," she would've been happier than reality.
Where was she buried?
According to Nihonshoki, she was buried at a place named Akō. Today the location of Akō is not known exactly, though some historians are giving proposals of the estimation.Shrines related to her
- Himegamisha ShrineHimegamisha Shrine, NaraThe Himegamisha Shrine is a Shinto shrine in the city of Nara, in Nara Prefecture, Japan. It is built in 1981 by the people of this neighborhood on the tomb called Hime-zuka that is estimated to be a burial place of Princess Tōchi, an Empress-consort of Emperor Kōbun...
– built in 1981 and located in NaraNara, Narais the capital city of Nara Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. The city occupies the northern part of Nara Prefecture, directly bordering Kyoto Prefecture...
, enshrining her, propitious for good marriage. - Tsutsumori ShrineTsutsumori ShrineThe Tsutsumori Shrine is a Shinto shrine in Ōtaki, Chiba, in Chiba Prefecture, Japan.A folklore in the Chiba area says that Prince Ōtomo did not die in the Jinshin War and he escaped from the Ōmikyō Palace to the East with his wife, Princess Tōchi...
– located in ŌtakiOtaki, Chibais a town located in Isumi District, Chiba, Japan, occupying the center of the Bōsō Peninsula. The town is known for its association with Edo period general Honda Tadakatsu and its prominent castle. As of 2010, the town had an estimated population of 10,794 and a population density of 83.1 persons...
, Chiba PrefectureChiba Prefectureis a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region and the Greater Tokyo Area. Its capital is Chiba City.- History :Chiba Prefecture was established on June 15, 1873 with the merger of Kisarazu Prefecture and Inba Prefecture...
, enshrining her, propitious for an easy delivery. - Shingū Shrine – located in Nankoku, Kōchi PrefectureKochi Prefectureis a prefecture of Japan located on the south coast of Shikoku. The capital is the city of Kōchi.- History :Prior to the Meiji Restoration, Kōchi was known as Tosa Province and was controlled by the Chosokabe clan in the Sengoku period and the Yamauchi family during the Edo period.- Geography...
, having some secret traditions on her.