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;[4][9]
At the banks of the Isuzu River, she went to pay her respects, sought out a place where no one walked, buried the mirror, and died.
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 Infact 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.
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.