Saiō Explained

or [1] was the title of the unmarried female members of the Japanese Imperial Family, sent to serve at Ise Grand Shrine from the late 7th century to the 14th century. The 's residence,, was about north-west of the shrine. The remains of Saikū are situated in the town of Meiwa, Mie Prefecture, Japan.[2]

Origins

According to Japanese legend, around 2,000 years ago the divine Yamatohime-no-mikoto, daughter of the Emperor Suinin, set out from Mount Miwa in Nara Prefecture in search of a permanent location to worship the goddess Amaterasu-ōmikami.[3] Her search lasted for 20 years and eventually brought her to Ise, Mie Prefecture, where the Ise Shrine now stands.[4] Prior to Yamatohime-no-mikoto's journey, Amaterasu-ōmikami had been worshiped at the Imperial Palaces in Yamato.

According to the (The Anthology of Ten Thousand Leaves), the first to serve at Ise was Princess Ōku, daughter of Emperor Tenmu, during the Asuka period of Japanese history. Mention of the is also made in the, and chapters of The Tale of Genji, as well as in the 69th chapter of The Tales of Ise .

In the 13th century, Jien recorded in the that during the reign of Emperor Suinin, the first High Priestess was appointed for Ise Shrine.[5] Hayashi Gahō's 17th-century is somewhat more expansive, explaining that since Suinin's time, a daughter of the emperor was almost always appointed as high priestess, but across the centuries, there had been times when the emperor himself had no daughter; and in such circumstances, the daughter of a close relative of the emperor would have been appointed to fill the untimely vacancy.[6]

Role

The role of the was to serve as High Priestess at Ise Shrine on behalf of the Emperor, to represent the role first set out by Yamatohime-no-mikoto. Three rituals a year were conducted at the Shrine in which the prayed for peace and protection. In June and November each year, she journeyed to the Shrine to perform the Tsukinamisai Festival. In September in the lunisolar calendar, she performed the Kannamesai Festival to make offerings to the of the year's new grain harvest.[7]

For the rest of the year, the lived in Saikū, a small town of up to 500 people approximately north-west of Ise, in modern Meiwa, Mie Prefecture. Life at Saikū was, for the most part, peaceful. The would spend her time composing verses, collect shells on the shore of Ōyodo beach, or set out in boats and recite poetry upon the water and wait to be recalled to Kyoto.[7]

Selection process

When an Emperor died or abdicated the throne, when the 's relative died, or when certain political power required, she would be recalled to the capital and a new selected from one of the new Emperor's unmarried female relatives using divination by either burnt tortoise shell or deer bones. The new would then undergo a period of purification before setting out with her retinue of up to 500 people for Saikū, never to return to the capital until recalled by the next Emperor.

Upon the selection of the new, the current and her retinue would return to the capital to resume their lives as part of the Imperial Court. Often, a was quite young when she left the capital for Saikū, and would only be in her mid-teens or early twenties when she returned to the capital. It was considered a great honor to marry a former and her time at Saikū improved her own position at court and those of the people who served with her.

Procession to Saikū

The procession routes of the changed after the capital was moved to Heian-kyō in 794.

The procession began in what is today the Arashiyama district on the west side of Kyoto. In the Heian period, successive imperial princesses stayed in the Nonomiya Shrine for a year or more to purify themselves before becoming representatives of the imperial family at the Ise Shrine.[8] Contemporary annual processions recreate a scene from a picture scroll of the imperial court during the Heian period, starting from the shrine and continuing as far as the Togetsu-kyo Bridge, Arashiyama.[9]

The procession of the from Kyoto to Saikū, the 's official residence in Ise, was the largest procession of its kind in Japan for its time. Up to 500 people would set out from Kyoto as a part of the 's retinue for the journey, which lasted six days and five nights. From Kyoto, they travelled in an eastward direction, passing through the Suzuka Pass, which was without doubt the most difficult part of the journey. Once clearing the pass, the retinue would descend into the Ise region and turn south, eventually reaching the . Here, the would stop to perform a final cleansing ritual before crossing the river and travelling the short distance to Saikū.[10]

The was expected to remain at Saikū until the emperor whom she represented either died or abdicated the throne. The was permitted to return to Kyoto only on the provision of a close relative's death. When returning to Kyoto, a different route was taken through the mountains to Nara, then to Osaka Bay where a ceremony was to be performed before she could finally return to the capital.

From Japanese literature

Princess Ōku

The (The Anthology of Ten Thousand Leaves), tells the story of Princess Ōku, the first to serve at Ise Shrine. The daughter of Emperor Tenmu, Japan's 40th emperor (according to the traditional order of succession), Princess Ōku and her younger brother, Prince Ōtsu, survived the Jinshin incident. After taking up her role as, her brother was put to death for treason in 686 and Princess Ōku was relieved of her duties and returned to Yamato. Here, she enshrined her brother's remains on Mt. Futakami before she died the age of 41.[11]

Princess Yoshiko

The Tale of Genji tells the story of Rokujo-no-miyasudokoro, which is believed to be based on Princess Yoshiko, who served as from 936 to 945. In The Tale of Genji, Rokujo-no-miyasudokoro became the of Ise Shrine at the young age of 8, serving at the shrine for 9 years. After returning to the capital, she became a consort to Emperor Murakami and gave birth to Princess Noriko. She became famous throughout Kyoto for her colorful life, devoting herself to waka poetry and music. According to the story, she falls in love with Prince Genji, but her jealous nature brings about the death of two of her rivals. When her daughter is chosen as at the age of 13, Rokujo-no-miyasudokoro decides to join her in Saikū to help her overcome her feelings for Genji.[11]

Princess Yasuko

The love story of Ariwara-no-Narihira and the 31st, Princess Yasuko (served as from 859 to 876), is told in the 69th chapter of The Tales of Ise. Ariwara-no-Narihira, well known in his time for his good looks, is married to Princess Yasuko's cousin, but on meeting at the Saikū, they fall into forbidden love. Giving in to temptation, they secretly meet under a pine tree on the shore of Ōyodo Port to reveal their feelings for one another and to promise to meet again the following night. But this first secret meeting would also be the last, as Narihira was due to depart that next day for Owari Province. Princess Yasuko came to see Narihira off, and they were never to see each other again, though it is said that Princess Yasuko bore a child as a result of the brief love affair.[12]

End of the system

It is not precisely clear when the system ended, but what is known is that it occurred during the turmoil of the Nanboku-chō period when two rival Imperial courts were in existence, in Kyoto and Yoshino. The system had been in steady decline up to this period, with Saikū reverting to just another rural rice farming village after the system's collapse.

Though the area of Saikū remained, it was unclear exactly where the old Imperial town stood until pottery remains were unearthed in 1970 during the construction of housing in the Saikū area, Meiwa Town. A modern museum was built on the site of the first finds and archaeological excavations are continuing, held each summer with the aid of volunteer school children from all over Japan. Though a site for the main residence has been discovered, a large percentage of it lies beneath the main Kintetsu Ise railway line and is inaccessible. Itsukinomiya Historical Experience Hall, a reconstruction of the building using traditional techniques, was built in the 1990s and stands beside Saikū station on the local Kintetsu rail line, no more than from the original site.

Festivals

The, the first of the three main festivals held in Kyoto each year, re-enacts the Heian period march of the to the Shimigamo Shrine (lower Kamo Shrine) in Sakyo Ward. This festival is held every year on May 15 and in 2006 consisted of 511 people dressed in traditional Heian court clothing and 40 cows and horses, stretching around from start to finish. This festival is said to have started in the 6th century when the Emperor sent his representatives to Shimogamo and Kamigamo Shines to pray from good harvests.

The is held in the town of Meiwa, Mie Prefecture, on the first weekend of June each year. First held in 1983, it re-enacts the march of the from her residence at Saikū, to the nearby Ise Shrine. More than 100 people dressed in traditional Heian-period dress along a section of the old Ise (pilgrimage road), before ending in the grounds of the Saikū Museum.

List of

After the establishment of the system by Emperor Tenmu, these were priestesses of Ise Shrine.

[13]
rowspanDaterowspanrowspanJapanese namerowspanBirth / Death yearrowspanAppointed byrowspan"Relationship to the Emperor
673–686Princess ŌkuJapanese: 大来皇女661–701Emperor TenmuDaughter
698–701Princess TakiJapanese: 多紀皇女?–751Emperor MonmuAunt
701–706?Princess IzumiJapanese: 泉内親王?–734Emperor MonmuDistant relative
706–707?Princess TakataJapanese: 田形内親王?–728Emperor MonmuAunt
715?–721Princess KuseJapanese: 久勢女王Empress GenshōUnknown
721–730?Princess InoeJapanese: 井上内親王717–775Emperor ShōmuDaughter
744?–749 Princess AgataJapanese: 県女王Emperor ShōmuUnknown
749–756? Princess OyakeJapanese: 小宅女王Empress KōkenDistant relative
758–764? Princess YamaoJapanese: 山於女王Emperor JunninUnknown
772–775? Princess SakahitoJapanese: 酒人内親王754–829Emperor KōninDaughter
775?–781?Princess KiyoniwaJapanese: 浄庭女王Emperor KōninDistant relative
782–796 Princess AsaharaJapanese: 朝原内親王779–817Emperor KanmuDaughter
796–806 Princess FuseJapanese: 布勢内親王?–812Emperor KanmuDaughter
806–809Princess ŌharaJapanese: 大原内親王?–863Emperor HeizeiDaughter
809–823 Princess YoshikoJapanese: 仁子内親王?–889Emperor SagaDaughter
823–827 Princess UjikoJapanese: 氏子内親王?–885Emperor JunnaDaughter
828–833 Princess YoshikoJapanese: 宜子女王Emperor JunnaNiece
833–850 Princess HisakoJapanese: 久子内親王?–876Emperor NinmyōDaughter
850–858Princess YasukoJapanese: 晏子内親王?–900Emperor MontokuDaughter
859–876 Princess YasukoJapanese: 恬子内親王?–913Emperor SeiwaSister (different mother)
877–880 Princess SatokoJapanese: 識子内親王874–906Emperor YōzeiSister (different mother)
882–884 Princess NagakoJapanese: 掲子内親王?–914Emperor YōzeiAunt
884–887 Princess ShigekoJapanese: 繁子内親王?–916Emperor KōkōDaughter
889–897 Princess MotokoJapanese: 元子女王Emperor UdaDistant relative
897–930 Princess YasukoJapanese: 柔子内親王?–959Emperor DaigoSister (same mother)
931–936 Princess MasakoJapanese: 雅子内親王909–954Emperor SuzakuSister (different mother)
936Princess SayokoJapanese: 斉子内親王921–936Emperor SuzakuSister (different mother)
936–945 Princess KishiJapanese: 徽子女王929–985Emperor SuzakuNiece
946Princess HanakoJapanese: 英子内親王921–946Emperor MurakamiSister (different mother)
947–954 Princess YoshikoJapanese: 悦子女王Emperor MurakamiNiece
955–967 Princess RakushiJapanese: 楽子内親王952–998Emperor MurakamiDaughter
968–969 Princess SukekoJapanese: 輔子内親王953–992Emperor MurakamiDaughter
969–974 Princess TakakoJapanese: 隆子女王?–974Prince AkiakiraDaughter
975–984 Princess NorikoJapanese: 規子内親王949–986Emperor MurakamiDaughter
984–986 Princess SaishiJapanese: 済子女王Prince AkiakiraDaughter
986–1010Princess KyōshiJapanese: 恭子女王984–?Prince TamehiraDaughter
1012–1016 Princess MasakoJapanese: 当子内親王1001–1023Emperor SanjōDaughter
1016–1036 Princess SenshiJapanese: 嫥子女王1005–1074Prince TomohiraDaughter
1036–1045 Princess NagakoJapanese: 良子内親王1029–1077Emperor Go-SuzakuDaughter
1046–1051 Princess YoshikoJapanese: 嘉子内親王–?Emperor Go-Reizei
1051–1068 Princess TagakoJapanese: 敬子女王Emperor Go-Reizei
1069–1072 Princess ToshikoJapanese: 俊子内親王1056–1132Emperor Go-Sanjō
1073–1077 Princess AtsukoJapanese: 淳子女王Emperor Shirakawa
1078–1084 Princess YasukoJapanese: 媞子内親王1076–1096Emperor Shirakawa
1087–1107 Princess YoshikoJapanese: 善子内親王1077–1132Emperor Horikawa
1108–1123 Princess AikoJapanese: 恂子内親王1093–1132Emperor Toba
1123–1141 Princess MorikoJapanese: 守子女王1111–1156Emperor Sutoku
1142–1150 Princess YoshikoJapanese: 妍子内親王?–1161Emperor Konoe
1151–1155 Princess YoshikoJapanese: 喜子内親王Emperor Konoe
1156–1158 Princess AsakoJapanese: 亮子内親王1147–1216Emperor Go-Shirakawa
1158–1165 Princess YoshikoJapanese: 好子内親王1148–1192Emperor Nijō
1165–1168 Princess NobukoJapanese: 休子内親王1157–1171Emperor Rokujō
1168–1172 Princess AtsukoJapanese: 惇子内親王1158–1172Emperor Takakura
1177–1179 Princess IsakoJapanese: 功子内親王1176–?Emperor Takakura
1185–1198 Princess SayokoJapanese: 潔子内親王1179–after 1227Emperor Go-Toba
1199–1210 Princess SumikoJapanese: 粛子内親王1196–?Emperor Tsuchimikado
1215–1221 Princess HirokoJapanese: 熙子内親王1205–?Emperor Juntoku
1226–1232 Princess ToshikoJapanese: 利子内親王1197–1251Emperor Go-Horikawa
1237–1242 Princess TerukoJapanese: 昱子内親王1231–1246Emperor Shijō
1244–1246 Princess AkikoJapanese: 曦子内親王1224–1262Emperor Go-Saga
1262–1272 Princess YasukoJapanese: 愷子内親王1249–1284Emperor Kameyama
1306–1308 Princess MasakoJapanese: 弉子内親王1286–1348Emperor Go-Nijō
1330–1331 Princess YoshikoJapanese: 懽子内親王1315–1362Emperor Go-Daigo
1333–1334Princess SachikoJapanese: 祥子内親王Emperor Go-Daigo

References

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: スーパー大辞林. Super Daijirin.
  2. Web site: 斎宮歴史博物館 Reduced-scale reconstruction of the Saikuryo.
  3. Brown Delmer et al. (1979). Gukanshō, p. 253; Varley, H. Paul. (1980). Jinnō Shōtōki, pp. 95-96; Titsingh, Isaac. (1834). Annales des empereurs du japon, p. 10.
  4. The Deep Purple Story of Meiwa (紫紺の語り部) (Meiwa Town Office, 2003), p. 3.
  5. Brown, p. 253.
  6. https://books.google.com/books?id=18oNAAAAIAAJ&pg=PP9&dq=nipon+o+dai+itsi+ran#PRA1-PA9,M1 Titsingh, p. 10
  7. The Deep Purple Story of Meiwa, p. 9.
  8. Kyoto City Tourism and Culture Information Site: Nonomiya Shrine.
  9. Kyoto City: Saigū Procession; Events, October 2006.
  10. Saiō Procession (Documentary movie, Saikū Historical Museum).
  11. The Deep Purple Story of Meiwa, p. 6.
  12. The Deep Purple Story of Meiwa, p. 5.
  13. Saikū Historical Museum, Meiwa, Mie: wall-display information table

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