The title Grand Empress Dowager was given to Emperor's grandmother who had had the title Koi of Empress Dowager and of Empress; the title Empress Dowager was given to Emperor's mother who had had the title Koi of Empress; and the title Empress was given to Emperor's legitimate wife.
太皇太后は天皇の祖母にして后位（皇太后・皇后）にあった者、皇太后は天皇の母にして后位（皇后）にあった者、皇后は天皇の嫡妻に対して与えられた。