Fusako Kitashirakawa

Fusako Kitashirakawa (北白川房子, Kitashirakawa Fusako), born Fusako, Princess Kane (周宮房子内親王, Kane-no-miya Fusako Naishinnō, 28 January 1890 – 11 August 1974), was the eleventh child and seventh daughter of Emperor Meiji of Japan and one of his consorts, Sono Sachiko.

Biography

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

On April 29, 1909, Princess Kane married Prince Kitashirakawa (1887–1923), the son of Prince Kitashirakawa Yoshihisa and Princess Tomiko. Prince Naruhisa succeeded as head of the house of Kitashirakawa-no-miya after the death of his father in November 1895 during the First Sino-Japanese War. Prince and Princess Kitashirakawa had one son and three daughters:

1. Prince Nagahisa Kitashirakawa (北白川宮永久王, Higashikuni Nagahisa Ō, 19 February 1910 – 4 September 1940)
2. Princess Mineko Kitashirakawa (美年子女王, Mineko Joō, 6 May 1911 – 10 March 1970); Married Viscount Tachibana Tanekatsu
3. Princess Sawako Kitashirakawa (佐和子女王, Sawako Joō, 21 October 1913 – 1 July 2001); Married Viscount Higashizono Motofumi
4. Princess Taeko Kitashirakawa (多惠子女王, Taeko Joō, 15 March 1920 – 5 November 1954); Married Tokugawa Yoshihisa.

In October 1947, the Kitashirakawa 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. The former princess served as custodian and chief priestess of the Ise Shrine until her death on 11 August 1974, aged 84.

Titles and styles

• 28 January 1890 – 29 April 1909: Her Imperial Highness The Princess Kane
• 29 April 1909 – 1 April 1923: Her Imperial Highness The Princess Kitashirakawa
• 1 April 1923 – 14 October 1947: Her Imperial Highness The Dowager Princess Kitashirakawa
• 14 October 1947 – 11 August 1974: Mrs. Naruhisa Kitashirakawa

Honours

National honours

• Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown