Figure 1.-- Emperor Taishō' wasjudged too unstable to rule as emperor. He did produce four sons to continue the royal line. Here they are in 1921: Princes Hirohito, Takahito, Nobuhito, and Yasuhito. Prince Hirohito by this time had begun acting as regent fr his father and of course became emperor a few years later. The youngest brother, Prince Mikasa (Takahito/Summi), is particulrly interesting because he alerted his brother of the barbaric behvior and war crimes being committed by the Japanese Army in China.

Yoshihito was the oldest son of the Emperor Meiji. As was common at the time, his mother was a cocubine. We have very little information on his childhood or boyhood clothing. He appears to have contracted meningitis in infancy which impaired both his physical and mental development. Prince Yoshihito's education was limited, in part because he was considered intelectually impaired. His education was primarily devoted to physical training. Apparentlt his parents and cout officials gave up on any real academic studies. His education was, however, notable. He was the first heir to the throne to attend a school rather than being educated by tutors. This had begun to be done at the time among European royals which may have affected the decision in Japan. Prince Yoshihito was enrolled in the Gakushuin (Peers) School (1887). He was meant to study Western subjects and Chinese classics, but his academic achievement was very limited. He attended Gakushuin for 8 years. After that he was privately tutored. His mother, Empress Teimei, was Princess Sadako, the fourth daughter of Prince Michitaka Kujo. Prince Yoshihito marriied the Princess Sadako, the fourth daughter of Prince Michitaka Kujo. Their children included: Hirohito (the oldest son and Crown Prince), Takamatsu, Mikasa (The Prince and his wife have three sons, Prinnce Tomohito, Prince Katsura, Prince Takamado.), Chichibu, and Takamatsu. Crown Prince Yoshihito in spite of being regarded as having serious phisical and mental impairments, ascend the throne on his father, the Emperor Meiji's death (1912). He became the Taisho Emperor. Problems began almost immediately. Repersentatives were shocked when he began to make a telescope out of a speech he was susposed to read opening the 1913 Diet. He used it to peer at the Prime Minister, his government and the opposition. After that inauspicious beginning, the new Emperor began more time away from Tokyo and the demands of his office. He spent his time at various imperial retreats. Japanese officials came to the conclusion that Yoshihito simply could not even fulfill the ritualistic demands of office and he disappeared from public view (1919). Crown Prince Hirohito was appointed Regent (1921). The Crown Prince continued in that post until Emperor Yoshihito died (1926).

Parents

Yoshihito was the oldest son of the Emperor Meiji. As was common at the time, his actual mother was a cocubine. His royal mother, Empress Teimei, was Princess Sadako, the fourth daughter of Prince Michitaka Kujo.

Boyhood

We have very little information on his childhood or boyhood clothing. He appears to have contracted meningitis in infancy which impaired both his physical and mental development.

Eduction

Prince Yoshihito's education was limited, in part because he was considered intelectually impaired. His education was primarily devoted to physical training. Apparentlt his parents and cout officials gave up on any real academic studies. His education was, however, notable. He was the first heir to the throne to attend a school rather than being educated by tutors. This had begun to be done at the time among European royals which may have affected the decision in Japan. Prince Yoshihito was enrolled in the Gakushuin (Peers) School (1887). He was meant to study Western subjects and Chinese classics, but his academic achievement was very limited. He attended Gakushuin for 8 years. After that he was privately tutored.

Marriage

Prince Yoshihito marriied the Princess Sadako, the fourth daughter of Prince Michitaka Kujo.

Children

Their children included: Hirohito (the oldest son and Crown Prince), Yashuito (Prince Chichibu), Nobuhito (Prince Takamatsu), and Takahito (Prince Mikasa). Hirohito of course becaeme !1926) and reigned over Japan during an after World War II. Prince Chichibu (1902-53) became the patron of several sporting, medical, and international exchange organizations. He ws fluent inEnglish and he and his wife attempted promote good relations between Japan and Britain. He reportedly developed positive relatios with the British Royal Family. is brother did not dare, however, to restrain the Japnese military, nor is it entirely clear he desired to do so. All if Hirohito's brothers were expected to be active-duty military officers. Prince Chichibu served in the the Imperial Japanese Army before and during World war II.. Prince Takamatsu (1905–87) as a matter of imperial policy pursued a career in the Japanese Imperial Navy, as his older brother pursued an army career. He rose to the rank of captain. After the War, the Prince was known for promoting a wde rnge of charitable organizations and activities. He is particularly associated with philanthropic activities. Prince Mikasa also known As Tkahito/Sumi (1915- ) ws the the fourth and youngest son of Emperor Taishō and Empress Teimei. He erved as a After serving as a junior cavalry officer in China during World war II. He observedfirst hand thge barbatity of the Japanese Army as well learned that theArmy was engaging in biolgical warfare. He repoted bot to his other brother Emeror Hirohito. Thus the Emperor hd direct informastion about Jpanese war crimes. Afer the War, the prince began a carer embarked upon a postwar career as a scholar and part-time lecturer in Middle Eastern studies and Semitic languages.

Reign

Crown Prince Yoshihito in spite of being regarded as having serious phisical and mental impairments, ascend the throne on his father, the Emperor Meiji's death (1912). He became the Taisho Emperor. Problems began almost immediately. Repersentatives were shocked when he began to make a telescope out of a speech he was susposed to read opening the 1913 Diet. He used it to peer at the Prime Minister, his government and the opposition. After that inauspicious beginning, the new Emperor began to spend more time away from Tokyo and the demands of his office. He spent his time at various imperial retreats. Japanese officials came to the conclusion that Yoshihito simply could not even fulfill the ritualistic demands of office and he disappeared from public view (1919). Crown Prince Hirohito was appointed Regent (1921). The Crown Prince continued in that post until Emperor Yoshihito died (1926).

Created: 6:53 AM 9/2/2015
Last updated: 6:53 AM 9/2/2015