Yuriko, Princess Mikasa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yuriko |
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| Princess Mikasa | |
Yuriko in 1980
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| Born | Yuriko Takagi (高木百合子) 4 June 1923 Tokyo City, Japan |
| Died | 15 November 2024 (aged 101) Chūō, Tokyo, Japan |
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| House | Imperial House of Japan |
| Father | Masanari Takagi |
| Mother | Kuniko Irie |
Yuriko, Princess Mikasa (born Yuriko Takagi on 4 June 1923), was a special member of the Imperial House of Japan. She was the wife of Takahito, Prince Mikasa. Prince Mikasa was the fourth son of Emperor Taishō and Empress Teimei.
Princess Yuriko was the last surviving great-aunt by marriage of the current emperor, Emperor Naruhito. Before she passed away on 15 November 2024, she was the oldest member of the imperial family. She was also the last living person in the family who was born during the Taishō era in Japan.
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Early Life of Princess Yuriko
Princess Mikasa was born Yuriko Takagi on 4 June 1923. Her family home was in Tokyo, Japan. She was the second daughter of Viscount Masanari Takagi and his wife, Kuniko Irie.
Yuriko's father came from the Takagi clan. This family used to be lords of a small area called Tan'nan. Her mother's family, the Yanagihara clan, was also noble. Her mother was a second cousin of Emperor Shōwa.
Yuriko finished her studies at Gakushuin Women's Academy in 1941.
Marriage and Family Life
On 29 March 1941, it was announced that Yuriko would marry her distant cousin, Takahito, Prince Mikasa. Their engagement ceremony took place on 3 October 1941. They got married on 22 October 1941. After her marriage, Yuriko became known as Her Imperial Highness The Princess Mikasa.
Princess Mikasa often visited her husband in the hospital during his last months. On 22 October 2016, they celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary. This special day happened in his hospital room. Prince Mikasa passed away five days later, with Princess Yuriko by his side. The Princess led her husband's funeral ceremony as the main mourner.
The Prince and Princess had five children together. Two of their children are still living today. Their two daughters left the imperial family when they got married. Sadly, all three of their sons passed away before them. Besides their five children, they also had nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren by 2022.
Their Children
- Yasuko Konoe (born 26 April 1944): She was formerly Princess Yasuko of Mikasa. She married Tadateru Konoe on 16 December 1966. She is now the President of the Japanese Red Cross Society. She has one son, Tadahiro, who has three children.
- Prince Tomohito of Mikasa (5 January 1946 – 6 June 2012): He was the heir to the Mikasa family. He married Nobuko Asō on 7 November 1980. They had two daughters.
- Yoshihito, Prince Katsura (11 February 1948 – 8 June 2014): He became Prince Katsura on 1 January 1988.
- Masako Sen (born 23 October 1951): She was formerly Princess Masako of Mikasa. She married Sōshitsu Sen on 14 October 1983. He is the leader of the Urasenke Japanese tea ceremony School. They have two sons and one daughter.
- Norihito, Prince Takamado (29 December 1954 – 21 November 2002): He became Prince Takamado on 1 December 1984. He married Hisako Tottori on 6 December 1984. They had three daughters.
Public Service and Charity Work
Princess Mikasa was the honorary president of several charitable organizations. She especially supported groups that worked to preserve traditional Japanese culture. She also played an active role in the Japanese Red Cross Society.
In 1948, the Princess became the President of the Imperial Gift Foundation Boshi-Aiiku-kai. She held this position until September 2010. She attended many official events in Tokyo and other parts of Japan. These events were often related to charities that helped mothers and children with their health.
Later Life and Passing
Princess Yuriko had a pacemaker since 1999 to help her heart. She was not able to attend the 2019 enthronement of Emperor Naruhito.
In September 2020, at 97 years old, she was hospitalized. She had symptoms of heart failure and pneumonia. She was released after two weeks.
She was admitted to St. Luke's International Hospital in March 2021. This was due to an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia). Her condition was not serious, and she was discharged within a few days.
In July 2022, the Princess tested positive for COVID-19. She was hospitalized at St. Luke's International Hospital. She turned 100 years old on 4 June 2023.
In early March 2024, the Princess was again hospitalized at St. Luke's International Hospital. This time it was for a mild cerebral infarction, which is a type of stroke. By 11 March, she was moved from the intensive care unit to a regular ward. This showed she was getting better. She could not eat but started drinking water. On 18 March, the Imperial Household Agency announced that she had more symptoms of heart failure and stroke. It was hard for her to move her right arm and leg. She continued to receive treatment at the hospital.
On 25 March, her heart failure and stroke symptoms improved a lot. She began rehabilitation. She celebrated her 101st birthday on 4 June in the hospital. Her daughter-in-law, Hisako, Princess Takamado, and her granddaughters, Princess Akiko, Princess Yōko, and Princess Tsuguko, visited her. On 16 August, Yuriko was moved back to the intensive care unit. She was diagnosed with pneumonia. By 9 September, she returned to the general ward as her condition improved.
An examination on 7 November 2024, showed her body functions were declining. This included her heart and kidneys. She had been doing rehabilitation, like sitting in a wheelchair, since March. On 9 November, after her declining health was announced, Princess Akiko returned from the United Kingdom. She visited her grandmother with Princess Yōko, Princess Hisako, and Yasuko Konoe. Princess Nobuko canceled her trip to Kyoto to see her mother-in-law. On 11 November, the Imperial Household Agency said Princess Yuriko's health was getting worse quickly. Princesses Akiko, Hisako, and Tsuguko visited her one after another. Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were told about her condition and were concerned. On the same day, it was reported that she was "in a reduced state" of consciousness. More members of the Imperial family came to visit her. On 14 November, the Imperial Household Agency said Yuriko was losing consciousness. In the afternoon, Princesses Akiko, Hisako, and Tsuguko visited again.
On 15 November 2024, at 6:32 am (Japan Standard Time), Princess Mikasa passed away. She was at St. Luke's International Hospital in Tokyo. She was 101 years old. Her granddaughters Akiko, Yōko, and Tsuguko, and daughter-in-law Princess Hisako, were with her. The Imperial Household Agency announced her death on Instagram. Later that day, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, and Princess Aiko visited the Mikasa residence to pay their respects. Yuriko's body was then taken back to Tokyo. The imperial family entered a period of mourning. Emperor Naruhito's family, the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita, Crown Prince Akishino's family, and the Prince and Princess Hitachi observed five days of mourning. The Mikasa and Takamado families mourned for thirty days. Emperor Naruhito also canceled his official duties.
The Imperial Household Agency stated that her official cause of death was "old age." The Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita also sent their condolences on November 15.
Funeral
Princess Yuriko's funeral was held on 26 November 2024. Her granddaughter, Princess Akiko, was the chief mourner. The Imperial Household Agency also announced on Instagram that people could sign a condolence book at the Mikasa residence.
Awards and Titles
National Awards
Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown
Dame of the Decoration of the Red Cross- Recipient of the Red Cross Medal
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International Awards
Empire of Iran: Member 2nd Class of the Order of the Pleiades- Empire of Iran: Commemorative Medal of the 2500th Anniversary of the founding of the Persian Empire (14 October 1971)
Netherlands: Inauguration Medal 1980 (30 April 1980)
Special Roles
- Reserve Member of the Imperial House Council
- Honorary Vice-President of the Japanese Red Cross Society
Images for kids
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Yuriko in 1980
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Princess Yuriko and her three eldest children
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Princess tree, Paulownia tomentosa, designated imperial personal emblem of Yuriko
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Princess Yuriko in 2012
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Mon of the Mikasa branch of the Imperial Family
See also
In Spanish: Yuriko de Mikasa para niños
