Taikenmon'in no Horikawa

Lady Horikawa, attendant to Empress Taiken (待賢門院堀河) was a waka poet and Japanese noblewoman active in the Heian period.

As a poet, her work is also included in the Kin'yō Wakashū.

Life
In 1142, she ordained as a Buddhist nun in her own temple she built called Hōkongō-in. Most likely to have been occurred when Sutoku was exiled, with her included.

She was the consort of Emperor Toba when she was to be better known under the name of Taikenmon'in. She was a member of the Minamoto clan, as her father was Fujiwara no Kinzane, who was Dainagon "大納言" (Chief Chancellor of State) at the time.

She had one child named whom she named "Sutoku" who also is known as "Akihito."

Her other name "Horikawa" is assumed to be given to her when she served as a nun in the Convent of the Imperial Board of Ceremonies.

Poetry
One of her poems is included in the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu: