Masako Sen

Masako Sen (千容子, Sen Masako, born 23 October 1951), formerly Princess Masako of Mikasa (容子内親王, Masako Naishinnō), is the fourth child and second daughter of Takahito, Prince Mikasa and Yuriko, Princess Mikasa. She married Soshitsu Sen on 14 October 1983. As a result, she gave up her imperial title and left the Japanese Imperial Family, as required by law.

For her early education as a child, Sen attended Gakushuin Elementary School and then Gakushuin Women's Secondary School. She later enrolled in the Department of Japanese Language and Literature, Faculty of Letters, Gakushuin University. After completing three years, she was sent to a boarding school in Switzerland and moved to Paris for studying in the University of Sorbonne.

Princess Masako married Soshitsu Sen (b. 1956) on 14 October 1983. Upon her marriage, she left the Imperial Family and took the surname of her husband. Soshitsu Sen is the elder son of Soshitsu Sen XV, and currently the sixteenth hereditary grand master (Iemoto) of the Urasenke, Japanese Tea Ceremony School.

The couple have two sons and one daughter:

1. Akifumi Kikuchi (born 10 November 1984)
2. Makiko Sen (born 11 July 1987)
3. Takafumi Sen (born 6 July 1990)

• 23 October 1951 – 14 October 1983: Her Imperial Highness Princess Masako of Mikasa
• 14 October 1983 – present: Mrs. Soshitsu Sen

National honours

• Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown