Empress Dowager Teimei
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born Princess Sadako Kujo (九条節子 kujō sadako) (June 25, 1884 - May 17, 1951) was the consort of the Taisho Emperor and the mother of Emperor Hirohito. She was born in Tokyo, the daughter of Prince Michataka Kujo, member of a branch of the Fujiwara clan.
When she gave birth to Emperor Hirohito, she was the first wife of a Crown Prince or Emperor to do so since 1750. She became Empress when her husband ascended to the throne in 1912. She was a strong influence on imperial life and she was patron of Japan's Red Cross Society.
During World War II she openly objected to Japan's involvement, which caused disagreement with her son. She died at Omiya Palace in Tokyo, aged 66, and was buried at the imperial mausoleum in Tokyo.
After her husband's death, she became known as the Empress Dowager Teimei ((貞明皇后 teemee kōgō).ja:貞明皇后