She abdicated, became a nun, and returnedSourced
An empress gave up the throne, then came back under another name.
Japan's Empress Kōken abdicated in 758 in favour of Emperor Junnin. She later became a Buddhist nun and shaved her head. After a political struggle, she returned to the throne in 764 as Empress Shōtoku.
One ruler held the throne under two names.
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Reviewed: 2026-10-02