About Princess Tajima
Lived 650 – 708 (aged 57–58). Princess Tajima was a Japanese poet and writer.
(died 708) was the daughter of Emperor Tenmu of Japan. Her mother was Lady Higami (氷上娘), whose father was Fujiwara no Kamatari, who co-worked with Emperor Tenji when they slew Soga no Iruka in the Taika Reform in 645.
Marriage Tajima was married to Prince Takechi by the Emperor's order, but she was not happy with him because he was much older than she was and looked like her father. She secretly loved her half-brother, Prince Hozumi. Some of her poems suggesting her love of him were collected in the Man'yōshū. One is about her longing for him, while another mentions the disapproval her affair with him caused when it became public knowledge. She died in 708, possibly suicide. Her grave site is located on the hill of Ikai at Yonabari near Hatususe.
After her death in 708, he produced a lament poem on her, which was also collected in the Man'yōshū.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
Family & relationships
People in Princess Tajima's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Princess Tajima's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Princess Tajima?
Japanese princess
When was Princess Tajima born?
Princess Tajima was born in 650.
When did Princess Tajima die?
Princess Tajima died on 17 July 708 in Fujiwara-kyō.
What was Princess Tajima's occupation?
Princess Tajima was a poet and writer.
What nationality was Princess Tajima?
Princess Tajima was Japanese.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Princess Tajima. https://biography.guide/princess-tajima/
MLA: "Princess Tajima." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/princess-tajima/.
Chicago: "Princess Tajima." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/princess-tajima/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:04 UTC