The current nyoin (a close female relative of the Emperor or a woman of comparable standing) such as Kokamonin, who were ladies who were at the ranks of Chugu or Empress Dowager as the legal princess or empress were at the similar rank as the retired emperor that they were not in the position to serve the retired emperor.
皇嘉門院のように、只今の女院、かつて天皇の正妃・母后として中宮・皇太后の尊位にあった女性は、上皇とほぼ同等の身位にあり、上皇に随侍する立場にない。