Empress Go-Sakuramachi

Empress Go-Sakuramachi was the last of eight women to take on the role of empress regnant in the history of Japan. She ascended to the throne in 1762, after her brother Emperor Momozono abdicated in her favor. Her nephew, Prince Hidehito, was only four years old at the time, and she was expected to occupy the throne until he would be able to take on the burden of responsibility. However, she wielded only ceremonial powers, as the shoguns of the Tokugawa family controlled Japan. The only significant event during her reign was an unsuccessful outside plot that intended to displace the shogunate with restored imperial powers. She abdicated in 1771, in favor of her nephew, who became Emperor Go-Momozono. He died eight years later without an heir, and a possible succession crisis was averted when he hastily adopted an heir on his deathbed upon the insistence of his aunt. Empress Go-Sakuramachi became a "guardian" to the adopted heir, Emperor Kōkaku, until her death in 1813. She was known for her efforts to reform the imperial court and promote education among the nobility. She also patronized arts and culture, and encouraged the compilation of historical records. She was posthumously honored with the name Go-Sakuramachi, which means "later Sakuramachi", after her father. She was buried in the Tsuki no wa no misasagi (Moon Ring Imperial Mausoleum) in Kyoto.