后こう宮ぐう

noun

empress's palace; queen's palace; harem quarters

Refers to the physical palace building or quarters where the empress or queen resides, often within a larger imperial/royal complex.

• 后こう宮ぐうは紫し禁きん城じょうの奥おく深ふかくにあった。

  The empress's palace was located deep within the Forbidden City.

noun

empress; queen

Metonymic use: the palace stands for the person. Refers to the empress or queen herself, especially in historical or literary contexts.

• 后こう宮ぐうは自みずから兵へいを率ひきいて戦せん場じょうに立たった。

  The queen herself led the troops onto the battlefield.