藤原道長
, also known as , the eldest daughter of Fujiwara no Michinaga, was Empress of Japan from c. 1000 to c. 1011. Her father sent her to live in the Emperor Ichijō's harem at age 12. Because of his power, influence and political machinations she quickly achieved the status of . As empress she was able to surround herself with a court of talented and educated ladies-in-waiting such as Murasaki Shikibu, author of "The Tale of Genji".