Has Japan ever had any Powerful Empresses in the Imperial bloodline?

Question

I would just like to know whether Japan's royal family has had any powerful Empresses in the Imperial Dynasty. If not, does it mean that Japan's royal dynasty which is the longest in the world (2000 years) has just been controlled by males in the royal family???

Answer 1

Yes. From Empress Suiko to Empress Suiko are existed Empresses.

However, Imperial families haven't controlled Japan very much. There was no need either Emperor or Empress to be powerful and strong in Japan. Even in the feudal era, feudal lords and Samurais had respected Imperial court (as a matter of form). Feudal lords and generals holded powers virtually. However, they never overthrow Imperial families. Imperial family has been needed and used for the purpose to unify Japan as one. They are a symbol of Japan even today. Ppl like them.

And Japanese Empress is very different from the Chinese Empress. Japanese Empresses were not feared dictators basically.

Answer 2

They've had ruling empresses:

Empress Suiko 593-628 - first ruling empress

Empress Kogyoku 642-645 - formerly Princess Takara Empress Saimei 655-661 (same person as Kogyoku)

Empress Jitō 690-697

Empress Gemmei 707-715

Empress Genshō 715-724 - formerly Princess Hidaka

Empress Kōken 749-758

Empress Shōtoku 764-770 (same person as Koken)

Empress Meishō 1629-1643

Empress Go-Sakuramachi 1762-1771 - last empress