Saiin (Priestess)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Saiin (斎院 Saiin?) were female relatives of the Japanese emperor (termed saiō) who served as High Priestesses in Kamo Shrine, while those Saiō who served in Ise Shrine were called Saigu or Saiku (斎宮). Saiin princesses were usually elected from royalty (内親王, Naishino) or princess (女王, Joou). In principle, Saiin remained unmarried, but there were exceptions. Some Saiin became consorts of the Emperor, called Nyougo in Japanese. The Saiin order of priestesses existed throughout the Heian and Kamakura periods.
Saiin is also the name given to the palace where the Saiin Priestesses lived and served the Shinto deities.
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[edit] Saiin in Literature
In The Tale of Genji a famous work of Japanese literture there is a story about a man named Hikaru Genji who yearned for a Saiin Princess named Asagao, but Asagao maintained a platonic relationship with Genji.
[edit] Historical Saiin
[edit] Princess Shikishi
Princess Shikishi Naishin [1] , 3rd daughter of emperor Go-Shirikawa and Fujiwara Seishi, was appointed High Prestess of Kamo shrine in 1159, at the age of six. She resigned her position in 1169 due to illness. After her resignation Shikishi went on to become an accomplished poet. 399 of her poems remain in existence today.
