Toshiko Higashikuni

In this Japanese name, the family name is Higashikuni.

Princess Toshiko 泰宮聡子内親王
Princess Yasu
Born	(1896-05-11)11 May 1896 Tokyo, Japan
Died	Tokyo, Japan
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
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 Kantō 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, March 24, 1929 – April 15, 2015); 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 Emperor Meiji.

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

• 11 May 1896 – 18 May 1915: Her Imperial Highness The Princess Yasu
• 18 May 1915 – 14 October 1947: Her Imperial Highness The Princess Higashikuni
• 14 October 1947 – 5 March 1978: Mrs. Naruhiko Higashikuni

Honours

National honours

• Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown