Sadako Shijō

was a Japanese noblewoman born in 1196 to and Dainagon Sanmi. She had two daughters, both of whom became empress consorts. She is best remembered for her long life, as she lived to 106.

She became the wet nurse of Emperor Shijō; however, Shijō died in an accident after attempting to trip two court ladies with talc.

A conflict ensued over succession, with Prince Kunihito ultimately winning. The court nobles initially opposed Kunihito, and so Saionji Kintsune enthroned the prince in the house of Sadako's brother.

Her 90th birthday saw a grand celebration at her manor. In the traditional Japanese calendar, Sadako was born in Kenkyū 7 (1196) and died in Shōan 4 (1302) making her 105 or 106. Descendants Through her daughter Kisshi, she lived to be the grandmother of two emperors, great-grandmother of two more, and great-great-grandmother of a further two, as well as great-grandmother of one shōgun. The following are the descendants she lived to see become emperor and shōgun: Emperor Go-Fukakusa (r. 16 February 1246 – 9 January 1260) Emperor Fushimi (r. 27 November 1287 – 30 August 1298) Emperor Go-Fushimi (r. 30 August 1298 – 2 March 1301) Shōgun Prince Hisaaki (r. 24 October 1289 – 20 August 1308) Emperor Kameyama (r. 9 January 1260 – 6 March 1274) Emperor Go-Uda (r. 6 March 1274 – 27 November 1287) Emperor Go-Nijō (r. 2 March 1301 – 10 September 1308)