Empress Suiko of Japan
Empress Suiko (推古天皇) (554-628) was the 33rd imperial ruler of Japan and the first woman to hold this position. She was a daughter of the Emperor Kimmei. Her mother was a woman of the clan of Soga. She married her half-brother Emperor Bidatsu. After a while the empress of him died and Suiko became the new empress. She had five childeren between him; two princes and three daughters.
After the death of Bidatsu she had influence in politics. She was known a wise and prudent woman with strong will. After the death of her brother Emperor Yomei two princes fought for the throne. With the clan of Soga, Suiko supported Hatsusebe, later the Emperor Sushun. After the clan of Soga assassinated Sushun, her uncle and the head of the Soga clan, Soga no Umako expected strongly her sit on the throne. She accepted and became the first female imperial ruler of Japan.She reigned from 593 to 628, but took little active part in affairs of state, which were handled by Prince Shotoku, the son of her brother Emperor Yomei and married with Suiko's daughter. Prince Shotoku was her regent and probably the most possible candidate of the successor of the imperial throne, but died before Suiko.
Suiko was one of the first Buddhist monarchs in Japan and had taken the vows of a nun shortly before becoming empress. She founded Horyu-ji in Ikaruga, Yamato province, today in Nara Prefecture.
She left no testimony as for her imperial heir and was suceeded by the grandson of her brother Emperor Bidatsu.
