Prince Tanehito

Tanehito-ō (born September 22, 1887, Meiji 20 – died April 7, 1908, Meiji 41) was a member of the Japanese imperial family during the Meiji era. He was the first prince and second son of Prince Kuninomiya 威仁 (Iehito) of Arisugawa. His mother was the fourth daughter of Keinei Maeda, Yasuko. His court rank was "Dai Kun'i" (Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun), and his military rank was Naval Ensign.

Details of his life are as follows: He was born at 11:30 p.m. on September 22, 1887, as the first son of Prince Iehito and Yasuko. He was named "Tanehito" at the royal naming ceremony (Qinoya) held on September 28 of the same month. In June 1901 (Meiji 34), during an imperial visit with Prince Iehito, Emperor Meiji personally ordered him to become an officer of the Imperial Navy, following his father’s peers.

On January 30, 1902 (Meiji 36), he moved to a separate residence within the Naval Academy, and by November 4, 1913 (Meiji 37), it was decided by Emperor Meiji that he would become a naval student. Subsequently, he enrolled as a student of the 36th class at the Naval Academy on December 2, 1904 (Meiji 38), at Etajima, Hiroshima Prefecture.

On September 22, 1907 (Meiji 40), his 20th birthday, Tanehito-ō was appointed as a peerage member of the House of Peers as an honorary title. Just before graduation, in the early morning of March 2, 1908 (Meiji 41), he was struck by severe abdominal pain and diagnosed by a doctor as appendicitis. His condition worsened, and by March 8, symptoms of collapse appeared. While recuperating at his residence within the Naval Academy, he was visited by his father Iehito and sister Jitsuko-jojo.

That night, a surgery was performed by Dr. Kanhiro Takagi, but his post-operative course was deemed to be good. On the 20th, his father and sister returned to Tokyo, but on April 2, his condition suddenly deteriorated again, prompting another visit. He was diagnosed with intestinal obstruction, with no available treatment options, and by 4:10 p.m. on April 3, he fell into a critical state. Several hours later, at 1:00 p.m. on April 5, he departed from Etajima accompanied by his father and sister, and returned home on April 6. He ultimately passed away at 4:10 p.m. on April 7. He was 20 years old (22 by age reckoning).

During this period, on April 4, he was awarded the Grand Order of Dainagon and the Order of the Chrysanthemum, and on April 6, he was commissioned as a Naval Ensign. His funeral was held at Toyoshimaoka Cemetery.

The Arisugawa-no-miya house was abolished after his death because, under Article 42 of the Imperial House Law, adoption was prohibited. His father, Prince Iehito, wrote to Hirobumi Ito, then Resident-General of Korea, expressing regret over the loss of his heir and emphasizing the necessity of adopting an heir for lineage succession. Ito, adhering to legal regulations, advised on measures to address the situation.

Later, Emperor Taishō bestowed the titles of the former Arisugawa-no-miya and Takamatsu-no-miya on his third imperial son, Prince Shinnō, ensuring the continuation of the religious rites and effectively serving as a successor. This act was considered extraordinary and beyond normal legal procedures.

Tanehito-ō did not marry. While marriage to his niece, Kiko Tokugawa, was contemplated, the process was hindered by the fact that the house of Arisugawa-no-miya was led by Princess Riko, who suffered from mental illness. As he died young, he did not marry.

Regarding his character, during his time at the Naval Academy, his family tutor Shinzō Ukawa visited the imperial residence and, upon hearing him play the piano, praised his talent.

With these records and achievements, Tanehito-ō passed away in 1908 at the age of 20.