Toshiko Higashikuni

Princess Toshiko
泰宮聡子内親王
Princess Yasu
Spouse Prince Naruhiko Higashikuni
Issue Prince Morihiro Higashikuni
Prince Moromasa Higashikuni
Prince Akitsune Higashikuni
Prince Toshihiko Higashikuni
Full name
Toshiko (聡子)
House Imperial House of Japan
Father Emperor Meiji
Mother Sono Sachiko
Born 11 May 1896
Tokyo, Japan
Died 5 March 1978 (aged 81)
Tokyo, Japan
Religion Shinto

Toshiko Higashikuni (東久邇聡子 Higashikuni Toshiko), born Toshiko, Princess Yasu (泰宮聡子内親王 Yasu-no-miya Toshiko Naishinnō, 11 May 1896 – 5 March 1978), was the fourteenth child and ninth daughter of Emperor Meiji of Japan and one of his consorts, Lady Sachiko.

Biography

She was born in Japan, daughter of Emperor Meiji and Lady Sachiko. She held the childhood appellation "Yasu no miya" (Princess Yasu).

She married Prince Naruhiko Higashikuni on 18 May 1915. Emperor Meiji granted Prince Naruhiko the title Higashikuni-no-miya and permission to start a new branch of the imperial family before their marriage on 3 November 1906. The couple had four sons:

  1. Prince Higashikuni Morihiro (盛厚王 Morohiro Ō, May 6, 1916 – February 1, 1969); married Princess Shigeko, the eldest daughter of Emperor Shōwa and Empress Kōjun.
  2. Prince Moromasa (師正王 Moromasa Ō, 1917 – September 1, 1923); died in the Great Kanto Earthquake.
  3. Prince Akitsune (彰常王 Akitsune Ō, May 13, 1920 – August 30, 2006); renounced imperial title and created Marquis Awata Akitsune, 1940
  4. Prince Toshihiko (俊彦王 Toshihiko Ō, born March 24, 1929); renounced imperial title and created Count Tarama Toshihiko, 1943; relocated to Lins, São Paulo, Brazil, 1950.

In October 1947, the Higashikuni and the other branches of the Japanese Imperial Family were divested of their titles and privileges during the American occupation of Japan and became commoners. She died on 5 March 1978, aged 81, the last surviving child of the Meiji Emperor.

Titles and styles

Styles of
Toshiko, Princess Yasu
(before the abolition of titles in 1947)
Reference style Her Imperial Highness
Spoken style Your Imperial Highness
Alternative style Ma'am

Honours

National honours

Sources