Prince Kaya Tsunenori

Prince Kaya Tsunenori (賀陽宮恒憲王, Kaya no miya Tsunenori ō), born on July 23, 1900, and deceased on January 3, 1978, was a member of the Japanese imperial family and held the position of the second head of the Kaya-no-miya collateral branch. He served as a general in the Imperial Japanese Army. He was a first cousin to Empress Kōjun (Nagako), the consort of Emperor Shōwa (Hirohito).

Early Life

Prince Kaya Tsunenori was born in Tokyo. His parents were Prince Kaya Kuninori and Daigō Yoshiko. His education comprised primary and secondary schooling at the boys’ department of the Gakushuin Peers’ School. On December 8, 1909, he succeeded his father as the head of the Kaya-no-miya house.

Military Career

Following a career military path consistent with other imperial princes of his generation, Prince Kaya served in the Imperial Japanese Army. In 1920, he completed training with the 32nd class of the Imperial Japanese Army Academy and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the cavalry. After serving a term in the House of Peers, he became a captain and commander of the Tenth Cavalry Regiment in August 1925. Subsequently, he graduated from the 38th class of the Army Staff College.

He was promoted to major in the cavalry in 1926, and he served as an instructor at the Army Staff College. In 1933, he joined the Imperial Japanese Army General Staff. By 1935, he had achieved the rank of colonel. In 1934, he and Princess Kaya undertook a seven-month world tour, visiting countries including the United States, Great Britain, France, and Germany.

After returning to Japan, he succeeded his uncle, Prince Asaka Yasuhiko, as the emperor’s personal envoy to Nanking following the Nanjing Massacre in January 1938. He was promoted to major general in 1940 and to lieutenant general in 1943. During World War II, he commanded the IJA 43rd Division and later became the commander of the Third Imperial Guard Division in 1944. He also served briefly as president of the Army Staff College during the final phase of the war.

Post-War and Commoner Life

Following the enforcement of reforms by the American occupation authorities, Prince Kaya Tsunenori and his family were divested of their imperial status on October 14, 1947, and became commoners. Consequently, he was barred from holding public office due to his military background. The Japanese government provided him with a lump sum payment from the reconstituted Imperial Household Council to "maintain his dignity."

In later years, he served on the boards of directors for Taishō Life Insurance Company and Nissan Mutual Life Insurance Company. He was the honorary president of the International Martial Arts Federation from its founding in 1953 until 1965. He was an enthusiast and supporter of Japanese baseball and founded a retirement home in Nagano Prefecture in 1970.

Death and Legacy

Prince Kaya Tsunenori died of a heart ailment at his residence in Chiba Prefecture on January 2, 1978. The location of his former residence, the Kaya-no-miya palace, is now the site of the Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery in Tokyo.

Marriage and Family

On May 3, 1921, he married Kujō Toshiko (May 16, 1903 – March 23, 1993), daughter of Prince Kujō Michizane, a prominent figure of the Fujiwara clan's Five regent houses. Kujō Toshiko was also a niece of Empress Teimei, consort of Emperor Taishō.

The couple had seven children:

1. Prince Kaya Kuninaga (April 21, 1922 – April 19, 1986)

2. Princess Kaya Michiko (July 29, 1923 – April 21, 2009)

3. Prince Kaya Harunori (July 3, 1926 – June 5, 2011)

4. Prince Kaya Akinori (August 17, 1929 – November 4, 1994)

5. Prince Kaya Fuminori (July 12, 1931 – February 16, 2021)

6. Prince Kaya Munenori (November 24, 1935 – December 23, 2017)

7. Prince Kaya Takenori (August 5, 1942 – July 20, 2017)