Hatsuko Joō

Hatsukojo Ō (dates of birth and death unknown) was a member of the Japanese imperial family during the Meiji and Taishō periods. She was born on April 16, 1911 (Meiji 44), as the first daughter of Takao Kuni-no-miya and his wife Shizuko (also called Shizuko-no-hime), of the Kuni-no-miya family.

Her father was Prince Takao of Kuni-no-miya, and her mother was Shizuko, the daughter of Tadusuke Minase. Shizuko was born as the eldest daughter. Her siblings included Princess Hatsukojo, Princess Kōko, Prince Yakihiko, Kujō Kyūji, Uji Iehiko (Prince Iehiko), and Tokuhiro Nibie.

On the early morning of June 21, 1915 (Taishō 4), Princess Hatsukojo suddenly developed a high fever, vomiting, and mucopurulent diarrhea, leading to convulsions. Her condition gradually worsened, and by 4:20 p.m. on June 25, she was in a critical state. She passed away at 8:00 a.m. on June 26.

Her funeral was held about one week after her death, on July 2, at a gravesite in the Imakumano Town area of Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto (then in Higashiyama Ward). The site was formerly the location of Hōan-ji Temple.

There are few records concerning her age at death or detailed accounts of her life. Given that her lifespan was only about four years, her period of existence was extremely brief. Through her father Takao and her mother Shizuko’s kinship, she was connected to the imperial bloodline.

Resources about Princess Hatsukojo’s genealogy and familial relationships are limited, and detailed information about her background and life remains scarce. Her body was buried in Kyoto, and she is recorded as being a member of the imperial family of Japan during that era.