Imperial Princess Muneko (統子内親王)
Imperial Princess Muneko (August 20, 1126 - September 9, 1189) was the daughter of Emperor Toba (her mother was Empress FUJIWARA no Shoshi), and she had two maternal brothers, Emperor Sutoku and Emperor Goshirakawa. She became Sai-in (Imperial Princess appointed to serve the deities of the Kamo-jinja Shrines). She became Junbo (a woman who was given the status equivalent to the emperor's birth mother) of Emperor Goshirakawa, and his Empress. Her original name was Koko, and her homyo (a name given to a person who enters the Buddhist priesthood) was Kongoshin Shinnyori. She became nyoin (a close female relative of the Emperor or a woman of comparable standing) when being given ingo (a title of respect given to close female relatives of the Emperor or a woman of comparable standing) under the imperial proclamation, and came to be called Josaimonin. According to "Imakagami" (The Mirror of the Present), she was beautiful beyond compare.
Brief Personal History
Born in 1126, and granted the title of imperial princess under the imperial proclamation
In 1127, decided by fortunetelling to be ranked as Jusango (honorary rank next to the three Empresses: Great Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager, and Empress) and to become Sai-in
In 1132, withdrew from Sai-in due to disease
In 1134, renamed from Koko to Muneko in accordance with a report submitted by FUJIWARA no Atsumitu, Shikibu no taifu (Senior Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Ceremonies)
In 1141, Emperor Sutoku, her elder maternal brother, succeeded to the throne, and Emperor Konoe, her younger brother with a different mother, succeeded to the throne
In 1143, moved into the newly built Sanjo Karasuma-tei
In 1145, Mother, Shoshi, died
In 1147, moved into Sanjo Higashinotoin-tei
In 1155, Emperor Konoe died, and Emperor Goshirakawa, her younger maternal brother, succeeded to the throne
In 1156, Father, Emperor Toba, died, and the Hogen War broke out
In 1158, became Kisai no miya (empress) as Junbo of Emperor Goshirakawa
In 1159, given ingo under imperial proclamation
As a result, became nyoin called 'Josaimonin'
In 1160, entered into priesthood at Hokongo-in Temple of Ninna-ji Temple
In 1183, escaped to Itsutusji-tei of Imperial Princess Shoshi with Kisai no miya Imperial Princess Ryoshi when the Battle of Hoju-ji Temple broke out
In 1189, died at Rokujo-in, and was buried at Hanazono-no-Higashi-no-Misasagi