woman with the title "in"; imperial lady granted the "in" title
Historical honorific title given to an empress, imperial princess, or high-ranking consort, often after taking Buddhist vows or upon retirement. The title is part of the 院 (in) system; see cross-reference to 院 sense 6.
See also: 院
Kenreimon-in was a daughter of Taira no Kiyomori and became a nyoin as the empress of Emperor Takakura.
The title of nyoin was granted frequently from the Insei period through the Kamakura period.
Standard kanji spelling for this historical title.
Compound of 女 (woman) and 院 (the 'in' title). The term emerged in the Heian period as part of the 院 system, where retired emperors and certain high-ranking women were granted the honorific title 'in'.