Princess Wakatarashihime
| Wakatarashihime 稚足姫 皇女 | |
|---|---|
A depiction of the Princess from the Zenken Kojitsu | |
| Saiō | |
| Tenure | 456 – 459 |
| Predecessor | Princess Iwashi |
| Successor | Princess Sasage |
| Died | 459 Isuzu River |
| House | Imperial house of Japan |
| Father | Emperor Yūryaku |
| Mother | Katsuragi no Karahime |
Princess Wakatarashihime (稚足姫皇女; Wakatarashi-hime) was a Japanese princess and Saiō of Ise Jingū Grand Shrine. Her father was Emperor Yūryaku and her mother was Katsuragi no Karahime.[1][2]
Life
Born to Emperor Yūryaku, and a consort named Katsuragi no Karahime,[1] Wakatarashihime became Saiō in 456.[1][a] However three years into her tenureship as Saiō, Ae no Kunimi accused a man named Takehiko, who was a son of Iokibe no Kikoyu, of having sex (possibly raping) with the princess and impregnating her.[3][4][5] The saiō was supposed to remain a virgin and unmarried, and breaking this could cost a woman the title.[6] For example, in 578 Princess Uji, daughter of Emperor Bidatsu, lost the title less than a year into her job after being raped, thus no longer being a virgin.[7] The princess pleaded her innocence, stating:
Thy handmaiden knows nothing.
and took out a sacred mirror, and recited a poem.[b][4][9]
Death
Following her poem, the Princess soon went missing, and the Emperor had people search for her.[4][10] The princess had left for Isuzu River, and committed suicide by hanging herself.[8] The princess's mirror was found buried near Isuzu River, and soon after the princess's body was found.[4][10][11] Her body was soon cut open, where it was found that she had not in fact been pregnant, thus proving her and Takehiko's innocence; however by this point Takehiko was also dead after being murdered by his father.[4]
Takehiko's father was relieved at his son's innocence, however was remorseful at murdering his son. So he murdered Kunimi and fled to Isonokami Shrine.[8]
Notes
- ^ She is said to have committed suicide three years after becoming Saiō. She is estimated to have died in 459, hence the estimation that she became Saiō in 456.
- ^ The Shaku Nihongi specifies the Yata no Kagami. William Aston makes no reference to the poem in his translation of the Nihon Shoki.
References
- ^ a b c 日本人名大辞典+Plus, デジタル版. "稚足姫皇女(わかたらしひめのおうじょ)とは？ 意味や使い方". コトバンク (in Japanese). Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ^ 伊勢神宮に行こう (in Japanese). 学研パブリッシング. 2013. ISBN 978-4-05-610047-1.
- ^ 大平裕 (2023-03-24). 「倭の五王」の謎を解く: 雄略天皇は"興"だった (in Japanese). PHP研究所.
- ^ a b c d e Vol.14 of the Nihon Shoki
- ^ 高寬敏 (2001-12-20). 倭国王統譜の形成 (in Japanese). 雄山閣. ISBN 978-4-639-01756-1.
- ^ "Saio-dai (The heroine of Aoi Matsuri Festival)". 京都ガイド. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
- ^ The Nihon Shoki entry for the seventh year of the reign of Emperor Bidatsu
- ^ a b c Aston, W. G. (William George) (1896). Nihongi : chronicles of Japan from the earliest times to A.D. 697. Smithsonian Libraries and Archives. London : Published for the Society by Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübrer & Co., Limited.
- ^ 大平裕 (2015-10-01). 暦で読み解く古代天皇の謎 (in Japanese). PHP研究所.
- ^ a b 平安文学研究 (in Japanese). 平安文学研究会. 1982.
- ^ 直木孝次郎 (2009-01-20). 直木孝次郎古代を語る: 伊勢神宮と古代の神々 (in Japanese). 吉川弘文館. ISBN 978-4-642-07885-6.