Yuriko, Princess Mikasa
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Yuriko, Princess Mikasa (崇仁親王妃百合子 Takahito Shinnōhi Yuriko), born Yuriko Takagi (高木百合子 Takagi Yuriko) on 4 June 1923, is the widow of Takahito, Prince Mikasa, the fourth son of Emperor Taishō and Empress Teimei, and through marriage, a member of the Imperial House of Japan. She is sister-in-law to Emperor Shōwa and aunt of the present emperor, Akihito. The Princess is the second daughter of Viscount Masanari Takagi. She is currently the oldest member of the Imperial Family.
Biography
Princess Mikasa graduated from Gakushuin Women's Academy in 1941. The engagement of Takahito, Prince Mikasa and Yuriko Takagi was announced on 29 March 1941 and the engagement ceremony was held on 3 October 1941. The wedding ceremony took place on 22 October 1941. The Prince and Princess had five children. In addition to their five children, they had nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren as of 2015.[1] The couple's two daughters left the Imperial Family upon marriage. All of their sons predeceased them.
Children
- Princess Yasuko of Mikasa (甯子内親王 Yasuko Naishinno, born 26 April 1944); married on 16 December 1966 to Mr. Tadateru Konoe, younger brother of former Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa and adopted grandson (and heir) of former Prime Minister Fumimaro Konoe, currently President of the Japanese Red Cross Society. They have a son named Tadahiro through whom Yuriko has three great-grandchildren. Following the marriage, Princess Yasuko gave up her imperial title and left the Imperial Family as required by 1947 Imperial Household Law, took the surname of her husband and became known as "Yasuko Konoe" (近衛やす子 Konoe Yasuko).
- Prince Tomohito of Mikasa (寬仁親王 Tomohito Shinnō, 5 January 1946 – 6 June 2012); heir apparent; married on 7 November 1980 to Miss Nobuko Asō (born 9 April 1955), third daughter of the late Mr. Takakichi Asō, chairman of Aso Cement Co., and his wife, Kazuko, the daughter of former Prime Minister Yoshida Shigeru; had two daughters.
- Yoshihito, Prince Katsura (桂宮宜仁親王 Katsura-no-miya Yoshihito Shinnō, 11 February 1948 – 8 June 2014); created Katsura-no-miya on 1 January 1988.
- Princess Masako of Mikasa (容子内親王 Masako Naishinnō, born 23 October 1951); married on 14 October 1983 to Mr. Soshitsu Sen (born 7 June 1956), the elder son of Soshitsu Sen XV, and currently the sixteenth hereditary grand master (iemoto) of the Urasenke Japanese Tea Ceremony School; and has two sons, Akifumi and Takafumi, and a daughter, Makiko. Following the marriage, Princess Masako gave up her imperial title and left the Imperial Family as required by 1947 Imperial Household Law, took the surname of her husband and became known as "Masako Sen" (千容子 Sen Masako).
- Norihito, Prince Takamado (高円宮憲仁親王 Takamado-no-miya Norihito Shinnō, 29 December 1954 – 21 November 2002); created Takamado-no-miya on 1 December 1984; married on 6 December 1984 to Miss Hisako Tottori (born 10 July 1953), eldest daughter of Mr. Shigejiro Tottori, former President of Mitsui & Co. in France; and had three daughters.
Public service
Princess Mikasa is honorary president of various charitable organisations, especially those concerned with the preservation of traditional Japanese culture. She also plays an active role in the Japanese Red Cross Society.[2]
In 1948, the Princess became President of the Imperial Gift Foundation Boshi-Aiiku-kai, a position that she resigned from in September 2010. She has participated on several formal occasions in Tokyo and other parts of Japan and she associated with charities that are concerned with mother and child health and their situations.[2]
Titles and styles
| Styles of Princess Mikasa | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Reference style | Her Imperial Highness |
| Spoken style | Your Imperial Highness |
| Alternative style | Ma'am |
Born as a daughter of Viscount Masanari Takagi, she was styled as The Honourable Yuriko Takagi. After her marriage, she is styled as Her Imperial Highness The Princess Mikasa.
Honours
See also List of honours of the Japanese Imperial Family by country
National honours
-
Japan: Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown. - Japan: Dame of the Decoration of the Red Cross.[3]
- Japan: Recipient of the Red Cross Medal.[3]
Foreign honours
-
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Iran: Member of the Order of the Pleiades, 2nd Class.[4] - Empire of Iran : Commemorative Medal of the 2500th Anniversary of the founding of the Persian Empire (14 October 1971).[5]
Honorary positions
- Reserve Member of the Imperial House Council.
- Honorary Vice-President of the Japanese Red Cross Society.
Issue
| Name | Birth | Marriage | Issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Princess Yasuko of Mikasa | 26 April 1944 | 16 December 1966 | Tadateru Konoe | Tadahiro Konoe |
| Prince Tomohito of Mikasa | 5 January 1946 died 6 June 2012 | 7 November 1980 | Nobuko Asō | Princess Akiko of Mikasa Princess Yōko of Mikasa |
| Yoshihito, Prince Katsura | 11 February 1948 died 8 June 2014 | |||
| Princess Masako of Mikasa | 23 October 1951 | 14 October 1983 | Soshitsu Sen | Akifumi Sen Takafumi Sen Makiko Sen |
| Norihito, Prince Takamado | 29 December 1954 died 21 November 2002 | 6 December 1984 | Hisako Tottori | Princess Tsuguko of Takamado Princess Noriko of Takamado Princess Ayako of Takamado |
References
- ↑ Prince Mikasa turns 100
- 1 2 "Activities of Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Mikasa and their family". kunaicho.go.jp. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
- 1 2 , Red Cross Medals
- ↑ Persepolis
- ↑ Badraie
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Princess Mikasa. |
- Kunaicho | Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Mikasa and their family
- Japan Red Cross Society |At a glance
| Order of precedence in Japan | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by The Princess Hitachi |
Ladies HIH The Princess Mikasa |
Succeeded by Princess Tomohito of Mikasa |
Japanese princesses by marriage | ||
|---|---|---|
The Japanese princesses by marriage since Emperor Meiji's reign, who in his time the Empire of Japan was formed. | ||
| 1st generation |  | |
| 2nd generation | ||
| 3rd generation | ||
| 4th generation | ||
* also a princess of Japan in her own right. | ||