Sanjō Chieko

Princess Chieko, wife of Prince Jinninnomiya (Kohito-Shinnō), born on June 30, 1872 (May 25, Meiji 5) and died on March 19, 1947 (Showa 22), was a member of the Japanese Imperial Family. She was the consort of Prince Jinninnomiya, with the rank of princess consort, and held the honorific "Her Highness" within the Imperial House Law. Through her maternal lineage, she was a seventh-generation granddaughter of Emperor Tōsang.

Biographical Summary

Life

She was born on June 30, 1872 (May 25, Meiji 5), as the second daughter of Duke Sanjō M totally. Her mother was the ninth daughter of Takaijū Shōkihi, named Haruko. Her birth name was Sanjō Chieko.

Education

Beginning around age six, she attended Atomi Girl's School and studied under Hanaki Atomi. She was highly skilled in painting, practicing the figures of the Four Major Schools (Shijō-ha) and the Nanshū School of literati painting, and was known by the art name "Han tei."

Marriage and Offspring

In 1891 (Meiji 24), she married Prince Jinninnomiya. They had the following children:

- Atsuhi Prince (died in childhood)

- Queen Kyō (married Mr. Nobuaki Andō)

- Queen Shige (married Mr. Nagatomo Kuroda)

- Queen Tokiko

- Prince Haru

- Queen Hiroko

- Queen Hanako (married Mr. Hironobu Kato, and later Mr. Tōtarō Toda)

All three elder sisters attended Atomi Girl's School, while Prince Haru studied at Gakushuin, and the lower two sisters attended Joshi Gakushuin. Prince Atsuhi and Queen Tokiko died before reaching adulthood due to kidney disease, and Queen Hiroko perished in the Great Kanto Earthquake.

Educational and Social Activities

She established an academic institute within her residence, inviting teachers and actively engaged in education. She also participated in various public service activities; serving as president of the Japan Women's Education Association and the Japanese Red Cross Society Women Nurses' Corps, and during the Russo-Japanese War, she was appointed president of the Patriotic Ladies' Society.

Death

She passed away on March 19, 1947 (Showa 22) at the Jinninnomiya residence in Odawara City, Kanagawa Prefecture. She was 74 years old at the time of her death. Her funeral was held on March 26 of the same year at Tōshimaoka Cemetery in Bunkyō, Tokyo.

Honors

While specific awards and decorations are not detailed in this document, as a princess consort of her era, she likely received various medals and honors associated with her status.

References and Related Materials

- Nihon Shireki Hensan Kai, "Gendai Kazoku Fu Yō" (Modern Aristocracy Directory), Nihon Shoseki Kyōkai, January 15, 1929. NDL: 1879484.

- Odawara City, "Odawara City Archives," Volume 1: "History Section" (Second Edition), Odawara City, January 15, 1967. NDL: 2992816.

External Links

The Wikimedia Commons contains categories related to Princess Jinninnomiya Chieko, and Wikisource features records from the Japanese Red Cross Society from 1920. Materials such as records from the Japanese Red Cross and royal family portraits are also preserved.