This article is within the scope of WikiProject Biography, a collaborative effort to create, develop and organize Wikipedia's articles about people. All interested editors are invited to join the project and contribute to the discussion. For instructions on how to use this banner, please refer to the documentation.BiographyWikipedia:WikiProject BiographyTemplate:WikiProject Biographybiography
This article is within the scope of WikiProject Japan, a collaborative effort to improve the coverage of Japan-related articles on Wikipedia. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the project, participate in relevant discussions, and see lists of open tasks. Current time in Japan: 03:14, January 24, 2025 (JST, Reiwa 7) (Refresh)JapanWikipedia:WikiProject JapanTemplate:WikiProject JapanJapan-related
This article is within the scope of WikiProject China, a collaborative effort to improve the coverage of China related articles on Wikipedia. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the discussion and see a list of open tasks.ChinaWikipedia:WikiProject ChinaTemplate:WikiProject ChinaChina-related
This article is within the scope of WikiProject Women's History, a collaborative effort to improve the coverage of Women's history and related articles on Wikipedia. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the discussion and see a list of open tasks.Women's HistoryWikipedia:WikiProject Women's HistoryTemplate:WikiProject Women's HistoryWomen's History
"Lost to posterity" is a little grandiose. It is more likely she had never had an official, recorded given name. In the Japanese medieval period, and at least into the early Edo period, women were not granted surnames (neither were commoners), and though I haven't read of an official policy, from my own studies of Japanese women in history, it does not appear that they had officially recorded personal names, either. At least, not at birth, though if she became a nun (for example) the convent she entered might record her new Buddhist name. In some cases, women in history were notable enough that their names appeared frequently in letters or court records; in other cases, a personal name or nickname might be recorded at the Buddhist temple after death, along with the Buddhist posthumous name. See examples such as Murasaki Shikibu, Komatsuhime, Lady Saigo. Boneyard90 (talk) 14:31, 3 August 2011 (UTC)Reply