Lady Nijo
Encyclopedia
was a Japan
ese historical figure. She was a concubine of Emperor Go-Fukakusa
from 1271 to 1283, and later became a Buddhist
nun. After years of travelling, around 1304–7 she wrote an autobiographical novel, Towazugatari (literally "An Unasked-For Tale", commonly translated into English as The Confessions of Lady Nijo), the work for which she is known today, and which is also the only substantial source of information on her life.
Lady Nijo was a member of the powerful Fujiwara
Nijo Family
. Her father and paternal grandfather held important positions at the imperial court, and many of her relatives and ancestors had high reputations for their literary abilities. Her real name does not survive. The name "Nijo" was given to her at the court: it was common practice at the time to designate court ladies by street names, and "Nijo" ("Second Avenue") designates a high rank. According to the Towazugatari, Emperor Go-Fukakusa
was in love with Nijo's mother, Sukedai. However, she died shortly after Nijo was born, and Go-Fukakusa turned his affections to Nijo. She was taken to the court at the age of four, and was subsequently raised there. The Towazugatari begins in 1271, when Nijo, aged 14, is given by her father to Go-Fukakusa as a concubine.
The novel proceeds to describe Nijo's life at the court, which was plagued by numerous troubles. Her father died when she was 15, and her relationship with the emperor was strained from the beginning, because she took several other lovers over the years, including one whom she knew before becoming a concubine. Matters were complicated further by Nijo's pregnancies: the only child she bore to Go-Fukakusa died in infancy, and the other three children she had were not by the emperor. Go-Fukakusa's consort, Higashi-nijō, was greatly displeased with Nijo's behaviour and Go-Fukakusa's apparent affinity for the concubine. Ultimately, it was due to Higashi-nijō's request that Nijo was expelled from the court in 1283.
Nijo's fate is revealed in books 4 and 5 of Towazugatari. Like many women in Medieval Japan whose lives met with unfortunate circumstances, Nijo became a Buddhist
nun. She traveled to saсred and historical places, returning to the capital regularly. Book 4 begins in 1289, skipping several years (thus leading scholars to believe that some material may be missing); book 5 skips some more years and describes Nijo's grief at Go-Fukakusa's death in 1304. Towazugatari ends in 1306, and nothing is known about what happened to Nijo afterwards or when she died.
Nijo's autobiography did not enjoy wide circulation. A single 17th-century copy was discovered in the 20th century, with several gaps in book 5, noted by the scribe. The scholar who found Towazugatari was Yamagishi Tohukei. The book was published in 1950, with a complete annotated edition following in 1966. There were two English translations:
's play Top Girls
.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese historical figure. She was a concubine of Emperor Go-Fukakusa
Emperor Go-Fukakusa
was the 89th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. This reign spanned the years 1246 through 1260....
from 1271 to 1283, and later became a Buddhist
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
nun. After years of travelling, around 1304–7 she wrote an autobiographical novel, Towazugatari (literally "An Unasked-For Tale", commonly translated into English as The Confessions of Lady Nijo), the work for which she is known today, and which is also the only substantial source of information on her life.
Lady Nijo was a member of the powerful Fujiwara
Fujiwara
, literally "wisteria field", is a Japanese surname.The name can refer to:-People:* The Fujiwara clan and its members** Fujiwara no Kamatari* Northern Fujiwara clan** Fujiwara no Kiyohira...
Nijo Family
Nijo family
The was one of five regent houses, branches of the Fujiwara clan, a powerful noble family that monopolized regent positions Sesshō and Kampaku in Japan. The family was founded by Kujō Michiie's second son Nijō Yoshizane, while his third son Ichijō Sanetsune founded Ichijō family.-External links:* ...
. Her father and paternal grandfather held important positions at the imperial court, and many of her relatives and ancestors had high reputations for their literary abilities. Her real name does not survive. The name "Nijo" was given to her at the court: it was common practice at the time to designate court ladies by street names, and "Nijo" ("Second Avenue") designates a high rank. According to the Towazugatari, Emperor Go-Fukakusa
Emperor Go-Fukakusa
was the 89th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. This reign spanned the years 1246 through 1260....
was in love with Nijo's mother, Sukedai. However, she died shortly after Nijo was born, and Go-Fukakusa turned his affections to Nijo. She was taken to the court at the age of four, and was subsequently raised there. The Towazugatari begins in 1271, when Nijo, aged 14, is given by her father to Go-Fukakusa as a concubine.
The novel proceeds to describe Nijo's life at the court, which was plagued by numerous troubles. Her father died when she was 15, and her relationship with the emperor was strained from the beginning, because she took several other lovers over the years, including one whom she knew before becoming a concubine. Matters were complicated further by Nijo's pregnancies: the only child she bore to Go-Fukakusa died in infancy, and the other three children she had were not by the emperor. Go-Fukakusa's consort, Higashi-nijō, was greatly displeased with Nijo's behaviour and Go-Fukakusa's apparent affinity for the concubine. Ultimately, it was due to Higashi-nijō's request that Nijo was expelled from the court in 1283.
Nijo's fate is revealed in books 4 and 5 of Towazugatari. Like many women in Medieval Japan whose lives met with unfortunate circumstances, Nijo became a Buddhist
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
nun. She traveled to saсred and historical places, returning to the capital regularly. Book 4 begins in 1289, skipping several years (thus leading scholars to believe that some material may be missing); book 5 skips some more years and describes Nijo's grief at Go-Fukakusa's death in 1304. Towazugatari ends in 1306, and nothing is known about what happened to Nijo afterwards or when she died.
Nijo's autobiography did not enjoy wide circulation. A single 17th-century copy was discovered in the 20th century, with several gaps in book 5, noted by the scribe. The scholar who found Towazugatari was Yamagishi Tohukei. The book was published in 1950, with a complete annotated edition following in 1966. There were two English translations:
- Karen Brazell. The Confessions of Lady Nijo. A Zenith book published by Arrow Books Ltd., London, 1973. ISBN 0600208133
- Wilfrid Whitehouse and Eizo Yanagisawa. Lady Nijo's own story; Towazugatari: the candid diary of a thirteenth-century Japanese imperial concubine. Tuttle, Rutland, Vt. 1974. ISBN 0804811172
In Popular Culture
Lady Nijo appears as a character in Caryl ChurchillCaryl Churchill
Caryl Churchill is an English dramatist known for her use of non-naturalistic techniques and feminist themes, the abuses of power, and sexual politics. She is acknowledged as a major playwright in the English language and a leading female writer...
's play Top Girls
Top Girls
Top Girls is a 1982 play by Caryl Churchill. It is about a woman named Marlene, a career-driven woman who is employed at the 'Top Girls' employment agency. The play examines issues of gender discrimination present in the Thatcherite society that it is set in...
.