Empress Kōgyoku (Saimei)

Empress Kōgyoku (594–661), born Princess Takara, ruled Japan twice: as the 35th sovereign, Kōgyoku, and from 655 as the 37th, Saimei. She ascended in 642 amid Soga clan domination. In 645 her son Prince Naka no Ōe killed Soga no Iruka in the Isshi incident, after which she abdicated for her brother Emperor Kōtoku.

Her Saimei reign saw large building works at Asuka. After Paekche fell in 660 she marched to its aid but died in Kyūshū the next year before the expedition sailed.