| Wakatarashihime 稚足姫 皇女 | |
|---|---|
 A depiction of the Princess from theZenken Kojitsu | |
| Saiō | |
| Tenure | 456 – 459 |
| Predecessor | Princess Iwashi |
| Successor | Princess Sasage |
| Died | 459 Isuzu River |
| House | Imperial house of Japan |
| Father | Emperor Yūryaku |
| Mother | Katsuragi no Karahime [ja] |
Princess Wakatarashihime (稚足姫 皇女; Wakatarashi-hime) was a Japanese princess andSaiō ofIse Jingū Grand Shrine. Her father wasEmperor Yūryaku and her mother wasKatsuragi no Karahime [ja].[1][2]
Born to Emperor Yūryaku, and a consort named Katsuragi no Karahime,[1] Wakatarashihime became Saiō in 456.[1][a] However three years into her tenureship as Saiō,Ae no Kunimi [ja] accused a man named Takehito, who was a son ofIokibe no Kikoyu [ja], of having sex (possibly raping) with the princess and impregnating her.[3][4][5] The saiō was supposed to remain a virgin and unmarried, and breaking this could cost a woman the title.[6] For example, in 578Princess Uji, daughter ofEmperor Bidatsu, lost the title less than a year into her job after being raped, thus no longer being a virgin.[7] The princess pleaded her innocence, and took out a sacred mirror, and recited a poem;[4][8]
At the banks of the Isuzu River, she went to pay her respects, sought out a place where no one walked, buried the mirror, and died.
Following her poem, the Princess soon went missing, and the Emperor had people search for her.[4][9] The princess had left forIsuzu River, and committed suicide. The princess's mirror was found buried near Isuzu River, and soon after the princess's body was found.[4][9][10] Her body was sooncut open, where it was found that she had not Infact been pregnant, thus proving her and Takehito's innocence, however by this point Takehito was also dead after being murdered by his father.[4]