Honorific title for the empress or empress dowager, literally 'mother of the nation'. Used in historical or formal contexts. Compare with 国母 (こくぼ), a more direct Sino-Japanese equivalent.
See also: 国母
As the mother of the nation, the empress is deeply loved and respected by the people.
Compound of 国 (くに, 'country') + の (possessive particle) + 母 (はは, 'mother'). Literally 'mother of the country', an honorific title for the empress or empress dowager.