Saho-Hime
狭穂姫命 | |
---|---|
Empress Consort of Japan | |
Empress consort of Japan | |
Reign | 28-25 BC (3 years) |
Predecessor | Mimaki-hime |
Successor | Hibasu-hime |
Born | ? |
Died | 25 BC |
Spouse | Emperor Suinin |
Issue | Homutsuwake no Mikoto |
Father | Hikoimasu |
Mother | Sahono Okuramitome |
Religion | Shinto |
Saho-Hime (狭穂姫命) was Empress Consort of Japan from 28 BC to 25 BC.[1][2]
In both the Nihon Shoki and the Kojiki, she was a granddaughter of Emperor Kaika and gave birth to one son who, according to the Nihon shoki couldn't speak.[3] Saho-Hime died during a rebellion caused by her older brother, Sahohiko.[2] Sahohiko tried to persuade her to kill her husband emperor Suinin. He asked her who she loved more himself or the emperor, when she said the emperor he reminded her that he had other mistresses. This plan worked and she agreed to kill Emperor Suinin.[4] Saho-Hime almost killed the Emperor but she cried and her tears woke the emperor up, she revealed the plot by her brother to him out of guilt.[4][5] Infuriated that her brother tried make her kill him, the emperor sends his troops to her brother's palace to kill him.[3] It is believed she is the deity that lives on Mt.Saho and is goddess of Spring.[6]
There is a poem attributed to Emperor Go-Toba about her:
"The hazy clothes of Princess Saho are faded, and the flower brocades are quickly faded” - Emperor Go-Toba
After her husband sends troops to her brother's castle, in the Nihon shoki, Saho-Hime goes to her brother's palace with their son out of guilt for attempting to kill the emperor, and refuses to leave until it burns down. As it was burning, her brother escapes, along with Saho-hime's son but the empress dies. [4][3]
In The kojiki after emperor Suinin wakes up and Saho-hime goes to her brother's castle the Empress gives birth. The emperor orders his guards to turn away until she gives birth, and then retrieve her. While the palace still burning she gives birth.[7] As the Emperor's men come to retrieve Saho-Hime's newly born, the child is placed outside the fortress and Saho-hime shaves her head, and her clothes. As the men take Saho-hime, her clothes fall off, as does her hair allowing her to escape. [5][7] The emperor is angered and as she's escaping ask's her to choose a name for the child. She chooses the name Homutsuwake (Fire-possessing Lord) as the palace was burning whilst she was giving birth. Whilst she and her brother are escaping Suinin kills her brother and Saho-hime herself. [4][5][7]