Empress Meisho
Empress Meishô was a reigning empress of the early Edo period.
She was the eldest of three daughters of Emperor Go-Mizunoo by his consort Tôfukumon-in (aka Tokugawa Masako or Kazuko), a daughter of Tokugawa Hidetada. Though Go-Mizunoo had sons by other consorts, a daughter with familial connections to the Tokugawa clan was selected as his successor for political reasons.
She took the throne in 1629 following Go-Mizunoo's abdication. Her formal accession ceremony was held on 1630/9/12, but celebrations were held again in 1634, with Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu in attendance. This would prove the final visit of a shogun to Kyoto for over two hundred years.
Meishô abdicated in 1643, and was succeeded by one of her half-brothers, who took the throne as Emperor Go-Kômyô.
| Preceded by Emperor Go-Mizunoo |
Emperor of Japan 1629-1643 |
Succeeded by Emperor Go-Kômyô |