In the Ritsuryo codes there is a distinction made between imperial princes (shinno) and princes (o); although the distinction between genders is not mentioned, women are referred to as imperial princesses (naishinno) or princesses (jyoo).
律令では、親王と王(皇族)の別があり、とくに性別を分ける記述はないが、女性はそれぞれ、内親王、女王と称せられた。