Empress Kōgyoku, also known as Empress Saimei, was a monarch of Japan who ruled twice and is considered the 35th and 37th ruler according to traditional succession.
Empress Kōgyoku reigned twice, first as Kōgyoku from 642 to 645, and then again as Saimei from 655 to 661.
642: Kōgyoku became empress but stepped down after Soga no Iruka's assassination. 645: Kōgyoku abdicated to her brother, Emperor Kōtoku. 654: Emperor Kōtoku died and the throne was empty. 655: Kōgyoku became empress again, now known as Saimei. 661: Saimei died and the throne was vacant again.
This one woman ruled twice from 642 to 645 and from 655 to 661..
Kōgyoku was a Japanese empress who ruled twice in the 7th century. She was the second woman to rule as empress, after Suiko-tennō. Six more women became empresses after her.