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Hachijō-in no Takakura (八条院高倉, c. 1176 - c. 1248) (believed to be the same person referred to as Takakura-dono, and Kunyo) was a waka poet and Japanese noblewoman active in the early Kamakura period. [1] She is designated as a member of the New Thirty-Six Immortals of Poetry (新三十六歌仙, Shinsanjūrokkasen). [2]
Originally, she served as a lady in waiting to Hachijo-in, who was the third of Emperor Go-Toba's daughters. [3] When Emperor Go-Toba read one of Takakura's poems, he was struck by it, and encouraged her to write poems for various competitions and events in the court. [3] It was noted that she was able to read Japanese and Chinese, and she was known for her intelligence.
Rumour - and some documents - suggested that Takakura was the secret daughter of Princess Yoshiko (who was both a daughter of Go-Toba and the widow of Emperor Nijo) and a Buddhist priest, Choken. [1] Princess Yoshiko died very soon after Takakura's birth, and Takakura's aunt, Hachijo-in, may have sent the young child to be raised by the poet Fujiwara no Shunzei. Once Takakura was old enough, she came to be a lady in waiting to Hachijo-in. [1]
After the death of her mistress Hachijo-in, Takakura took religious vows and became a nun. She took the name Kunyo, and resided primarily at Shokutei-in on the grounds of the Daigoji temple complex at Kyoto, later moving to live at Hokkeji. [1] [2] She formed a close relationship with a fellow nun - and fellow former lady in waiting - Jizen. [1]