was a member of the
Imperial House of Japan
The , also referred to as the Imperial Family or the House of Yamato, comprises those members of the extended family of the reigning Emperor of Japan who undertake official and public duties. Under the present Constitution of Japan, the Emperor i ...
and the second son of
Takahito, Prince Mikasa and
Yuriko, Princess Mikasa
(born ; 4 June 1923), is a member of the Imperial House of Japan as the widow of Takahito, Prince Mikasa, the fourth son of Emperor Taishō and Empress Teimei. The Princess is the last surviving paternal great-aunt-in-law of Emperor Naruhito, an ...
. He was a first
cousin
Most generally, in the lineal kinship system used in the English-speaking world, a cousin is a type of familial relationship in which two relatives are two or more familial generations away from their most recent common ancestor. Commonly, " ...
of
Emperor Akihito. Originally known as Prince Yoshihito of Mikasa, he received the title Prince Katsura (Katsura-no-miya) and authorization to start a new branch of the Imperial Family on 1 January 1988 at age 39. He died of a heart attack on 8 June 2014, aged 66.
Early life and education
![Princess Mikasa and her children](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5a/Princess_Mikasa_and_her_children.jpg)
The Prince was born at the Mikasa Family Home at Kamiōsaki, Shinagawa, Tokyo.
He graduated from the Department of Political Studies in the Faculty of Law of
Gakushuin University
is a private university in Mejiro, Toshima Ward, Tokyo. It was re-established after World War II as an affiliate of the Gakushūin School Corporation. The privatized successor to the original Gakushūin University (or "Peers School") was estab ...
in 1971. Between 1971 and 1973, he studied at the Graduate School of the
Australian National University
The Australian National University (ANU) is a public research university located in Canberra, the capital of Australia. Its main campus in Acton encompasses seven teaching and research colleges, in addition to several national academies and ...
, in
Canberra
Canberra ( )
is the capital city of Australia. Founded following the federation of the colonies of Australia as the seat of government for the new nation, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The ci ...
, Australia. After his return to Japan, he worked as an administrator at the
Japan Broadcasting Corporation
, also known as NHK, is a Japanese public broadcaster. NHK, which has always been known by this romanized initialism in Japanese, is a statutory corporation funded by viewers' payments of a television license fee.
NHK operates two terrestria ...
from 1974 to 1985.
Public service
In 1982, the Prince returned to Australia as part of the Japanese delegation in honor of the tenth anniversary of the Australia-Japan Society. He also visited New Zealand to strengthen ties and friendly
diplomatic relations. Despite his disabilities following a series of strokes in 1988, he took an active role in public service, and appeared regularly at award ceremonies, diplomatic events, and as President of various charity organizations.
In July 1997, Prince Katsura again visited Australia, to help promote an exhibition of the traditional sport of
sumo
is a form of competitive full-contact wrestling where a ''rikishi'' (wrestler) attempts to force his opponent out of a circular ring (''dohyō'') or into touching the ground with any body part other than the soles of his feet (usually by thr ...
, with exhibition matches held in
Sydney
Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...
and
Melbourne
Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...
.
Health problems and death
Prince Katsura experienced a series of strokes in May 1988 and had surgery for acute
subdural hematoma.
He used a
wheelchair
A wheelchair is a chair with wheels, used when walking is difficult or impossible due to illness, injury, problems related to old age, or disability. These can include spinal cord injuries ( paraplegia, hemiplegia, and quadriplegia), cerebr ...
, but remained active in public life and appeared regularly at award ceremonies, diplomatic events, and as president of various charity organizations. However, he had been hospitalized on and off since 2008 due to
sepsis
Sepsis, formerly known as septicemia (septicaemia in British English) or blood poisoning, is a life-threatening condition that arises when the body's response to infection causes injury to its own tissues and organs. This initial stage is follo ...
.
[ In early 2014, the Prince was diagnosed with an unspecified illness that affected and deteriorated his heart. In the early morning hours of 8 June 2014, he experienced a massive heart attack, and despite best efforts he was pronounced dead at 10:50 AM local time. He was 66 years old. On 17 June 2014, the main funeral service for Prince Katsura, called "Renso no Gi", was held at Toshimagaoka Imperial Cemetery in Tokyo. About 560 dignitaries including the members of Imperial Family attended the funeral. Prince and Princess Mikasa, Prince Katsura's parents, acted out the duty of chief mourners and his niece, Princess Akiko, hosted the ceremony.
Prince Katsura never married and left no legitimate children. At the time of his death, he was sixth in line to the Japanese throne.
]
Honours
National
* Grand Cordon of the Order of the Chrysanthemum (27 February 1968)
Foreign
* : Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
The Order of Merit of the Italian Republic ( it, Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana) is the senior Italian order of merit. It was established in 1951 by the second President of the Italian Republic, Luigi Einaudi.
The highest-ranking ...
(09/03/1982)Italian Presidency
, S.A.I. Yoshihito di Mikasa Principe del Giappone
Honorary positions
* President of the Japan Australia New Zealand Society, Inc.
* President of the Agricultural Society of Japan
* President of the Japan Forestry Association
* President of the Japan Art Crafts Association
* President of the Japanese Urushi Craft•Art Association
Ancestry
Patrilineal descent
;Imperial House of Japan
# Descent prior to Keitai is unclear to modern historians, but traditionally traced back patrilineally to
Emperor Jimmu
#
Emperor Keitai, ca. 450–534
#
Emperor Kinmei
was the 29th Emperor of Japan, Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 欽明天皇 (29) retrieved 2013-8-22. according to the traditional order of succession. Titsingh, Isaac. (1834)pp. 34–36 Brown, Delmer. (1979) ''Gukanshō,'' pp. 261– ...
, 509–571
#
Emperor Bidatsu
was the 30th Emperor of Japan,Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'')敏達天皇 (30) retrieved 2013-1-31. according to the traditional order of succession.
The years of reign of Bidatsu start in 572 and end in 585; however, there are no c ...
, 538–585
# Prince Oshisaka, ca. 556–???
#
Emperor Jomei
was the 34th emperor of Japan,Kunaichō 斉明天皇 (34)/ref> according to the traditional order of succession.
Jomei's reign spanned the years from 629 through 641.
Traditional narrative
Before Jomei's ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, ...
, 593–641
#
Emperor Tenji, 626–671
# Prince Shiki, ???–716
#
Emperor Kōnin
was the 49th emperor of Japan, Emperor Kōnin, Tahara no Higashi Imperial Mausoleum, Imperial Household Agency according to the traditional order of succession. Kōnin's reign lasted from 770 to 781.
Traditional narrative
The personal name of ...
, 709–786
#
Emperor Kanmu
, or Kammu, was the 50th emperor of Japan, Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 桓武天皇 (50) retrieved 2013-8-22. according to the traditional order of succession. Kanmu reigned from 781 to 806, and it was during his reign that the sco ...
, 737–806
#
Emperor Saga, 786–842
#
Emperor Ninmyō, 810–850
#
Emperor Kōkō, 830–867
#
Emperor Uda
was the 59th emperor of Japan, Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 宇多天皇 (59)/ref> according to the traditional order of succession.
Uda's reign spanned the years from 887 through 897.
Traditional narrative
Name and legacy
Befo ...
, 867–931
#
Emperor Daigo, 885–930
#
Emperor Murakami
was the 62nd emperor of Japan, Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 村上天皇 (62)/ref> according to the traditional order of succession.
Murakami's reign spanned the years from 946 to his death in 967.
Biography
Before he ascended to ...
, 926–967
#
Emperor En'yū
was the 64th emperor of Japan,Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 円融天皇 (64)/ref> according to the traditional order of succession.
En'yū's reign spanned the years from 969 through 984.
Biography
Before his ascension to the Chrysa ...
, 959–991
#
Emperor Ichijō
was the 66th emperor of Japan,Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 一条天皇 (66)/ref> according to the traditional order of succession.
Ichijō's reign spanned the years from 986 to 1011.
Biography
Before he ascended to the Chrysanthem ...
, 980–1011
#
Emperor Go-Suzaku
was the 69th emperor of Japan,Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 後朱雀天皇 (69)/ref> according to the traditional order of succession.
Go-Suzaku's reign spanned the years from 1036 through 1045.
This 11th-century sovereign was name ...
, 1009–1045
#
Emperor Go-Sanjō
was the 71st emperor of Japan,Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 陽成天皇 (71)/ref> according to the traditional order of succession.
Go-Sanjō's reign spanned the years from 1068 through 1073.
This 11th century sovereign was named a ...
, 1034–1073
#
Emperor Shirakawa
was the 72nd emperor of Japan, Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 白河天皇 (72)/ref> according to the traditional order of succession.
Shirakawa's reign lasted from 1073 to 1087.
Genealogy
Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Th ...
, 1053–1129
#
Emperor Horikawa
was the 73rd emperor of Japan, Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 堀河天皇 (73)/ref> according to the traditional order of succession.
Horikawa's reign spanned the years from 1087 through 1107.
Biography
Before his ascension to the ...
, 1079–1107
#
Emperor Toba, 1103–1156
#
Emperor Go-Shirakawa, 1127–1192
#
Emperor Takakura
was the 80th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1168 through 1180.
Genealogy
Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name (his ''imina'') was Norihito''-shi ...
, 1161–1181
#
Emperor Go-Toba, 1180–1239
#
Emperor Tsuchimikado, 1196–1231
#
Emperor Go-Saga
was the 88th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. This reign spanned the years 1242 through 1246.
This 13th-century sovereign was named after the 8th-century Emperor Saga and ''go-'' (後), translates literally as ...
, 1220–1272
#
Emperor Go-Fukakusa, 1243–1304
#
Emperor Fushimi
was the 92nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. His reign spanned the years from 1287 through 1298.
Name
Before his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, his personal name (his ''imina'') was .
Although the ...
, 1265–1317
#
Emperor Go-Fushimi, 1288–1336
#
Emperor Kōgon, 1313–1364
#
Emperor Sukō
(May 25, 1334 – January 31, 1398) was the third of Emperors of Northern Court during the Period of the Northern and Southern Courts in Japan. According to pre- Meiji scholars, his reign spanned the years from 1348 through 1351.Titsingh, Isaa ...
, 1334–1398
#
Prince Yoshihito Fushimi, 1351–1416
#
Prince Sadafusa Fushimi, 1372–1456
#
Emperor Go-Hanazono
(July 10, 1418 – January 18, 1471) was the 102nd emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'')後花園天皇 (102) retrieved 2013-8-28. His reign spanned the years from 1428 throu ...
, 1419–1471
#
Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado, 1442–1500
#
Emperor Go-Kashiwabara
was the 104th emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. He reigned from November 16, 1500, to May 19, 1526. His personal name was Katsuhito (勝仁). His reign marked the nadir of Imperial authority during the Ashikaga ...
, 1464–1526
#
Emperor Go-Nara
was the 105th Emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. He reigned from June 9, 1526 until his death in 1557, during the Sengoku period. His personal name was Tomohito (知仁).
Genealogy
He was the second son of Emper ...
, 1495–1557
#
Emperor Ōgimachi, 1517–1593
#
Prince Masahito
, also known as Prince Sanehito and posthumously named Yōkōin ''daijō-tennō'', was the eldest son of Emperor Ōgimachi. He predeceased his father.
Masahito's eldest son was , who acceded to the Chrysanthemum Throne on the abdication of Em ...
, 1552–1586
#
Emperor Go-Yōzei
was the 107th Emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Go-Yōzei's reign spanned the years 1586 through to his abdication in 1611, corresponding to the transition between the Azuchi–Momoyama period and the Edo period ...
, 1572–1617
#
Emperor Go-Mizunoo, 1596–1680
#
Emperor Reigen
was the 112th emperor of Japan,Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'') 霊元天皇 (112)/ref> according to the traditional order of succession.Ponsonby-Fane, Richard. (1959). ''The Imperial House of Japan'', pp. 117. Reigen's reign spanned t ...
, 1654–1732
#
Emperor Higashiyama, 1675–1710
#
Prince Naohito Kanin, 1704–1753
#
Prince Sukehito Kanin, 1733–1794
#
Emperor Kōkaku
was the 119th Emperor of Japan, according to the traditional order of succession. Imperial Household Agency (''Kunaichō'')光格天皇 (119)/ref> Kōkaku reigned from 16 December 1780 until his abdication on 7 May 1817 in favor of his son, Empe ...
, 1771–1840
#
Emperor Ninkō, 1800–1846
#
Emperor Kōmei, 1831–1867
#
Emperor Meiji
, also called or , was the 122nd emperor of Japan according to the traditional order of succession. Reigning from 13 February 1867 to his death, he was the first monarch of the Empire of Japan and presided over the Meiji era. He was the figur ...
, 1852–1912
#
Emperor Taishō, 1879–1926
#
Takahito, Prince Mikasa
# Yoshihito, Prince Katsura
References
External links
His Imperial Highness Prince Katsuraat the Imperial Household Agency website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Katsura, Prince
1948 births
2014 deaths
Australia–Japan relations
Australian National University alumni
Gakushuin University alumni
Japanese expatriates in Australia
Japanese people with disabilities
Japanese princes
NHK
People from Tokyo
People with paraplegia
Royalty and nobility with disabilities
Heirs apparent who never acceded
Knights Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
Recipients of the Order of the White Eagle (Poland)