the three empresses (Empress, Empress Dowager, Grand Empress Dowager)
Historical term referring collectively to the Empress, Empress Dowager, and Grand Empress Dowager. See also 三后.
See also: 三后
Chūgū refers to the three empresses: the Empress, the Empress Dowager, and the Grand Empress Dowager.
emperor's second consort
In the Heian period, the title given to the emperor's second consort, distinct from the principal empress (皇后).
Emperor Ichijō's second consort was Fujiwara no Teishi.
empress; empress's palace
Can refer to the empress herself or her residence. The palace sense is less common in modern usage.
The empress was surrounded by many court ladies.
Beautiful flowers bloomed in the garden of the empress's palace.
middle shrine building
In Shinto shrine architecture, a building situated on middle ground within the shrine complex.
The middle shrine building of this shrine is located between the main hall and the worship hall.
imperial palace grounds
Refers to the demesne or enclosed land of the imperial palace. See also 皇居.
See also: 皇居
On the vast grounds of the imperial palace, several palaces stood in rows.
From Middle Chinese 中宮 (ʈɨuŋ kɨuŋ, literally 'middle palace'). The term was adopted into Japanese with various historical meanings related to the imperial court.