Fujiwara no Kanshi

Fujiwara no Kanshi (藤原歓子, 1021–1102), also known as Ono no Kōtaigō (小野皇太后) was an empress consort of Emperor Go-Reizei of Japan.

From 1051 onward, she lived with her brother Jōen, a monk, in Ono at the base of Mount Hiei, spending her days in Buddhist prayer.

According to the Eiga Monogatari, Kanshi was known as a small and graceful beauty, proficient with the biwa and at painting, particularly in the Tang style.

A famous anecdote states that in 1091, late in Kanshi's life, as she was living out her remaining days at her retreat in Ono, the retired Emperor Shirakawa suddenly resolved to go snow-viewing and came by to visit.

Hearing of this from an attendant, Kanshi stated that it would not do to make one who came for a snow-viewing come indoors, and attractively arranged some seats in the garden.