Empress Suiko (554-628) was the thirty-third ruler of Japan. She was the first empress regnant, and during her 35-year reign the 12 grades in court ranking--in the cap ranks--and the Seventeen-article Constitution were proclaimed.

Suiko was the second daughter of Emperor Kimmei and was known as Toyo-mike Kashiki-ya-hime. In her childhood she was called princess Nukada-be. According to Nihongi, her appearance was beautiful and her conduct was marked by propriety. At the age of 18 she was appointed empress-consort of Emperor Bidatsu (reigned 572-585).

When Emperor Sujun (reigned 588-593) was murdered by the great imperial chieftain Mumako no Sukune, ministers besought Nukada-be, the widow of Emperor Bidatsu, to ascend the throne. She refused, but the public functionaries urged her in memorials three times until she consented.

Actually, it was Soga no Umako who made Nukada-be, his own niece, empress of Japan after the powerful Soga chieftain caused Emperor Sujun to...