Kuniko Nijō

Kuni Ko Nijō (Nijō Kuniko, May 18, 1917 – July 6, 2002) was a member of the Japanese imperial family and a noble lady. During her time as a royal, she held the title Queen Kuni Ko.

Birth and Family Background

She was born at 4:00 PM on May 18, 1917 (Taisho 6) in Kyoto Prefecture, as the third daughter of Takami-no-miya (Kuni-no-miya family). Her mother was Shizuko (Takami-no-miya Princess Shizuko), the eldest daughter of Viscount Tadatsukasa Water Gate. Her father, Takami-no-miya, was a royal of the Kuni-no-miya family, and her mother, Shizuko, was from an esteemed noble lineage. She had sisters including Princess Hoshiko, Princess Noriko, Prince Takahiko, Uji Iehiko (Iehiko-ō), and Nishimoto Norihiko (Norihiko-ō).

Education

She graduated from Kyoto Prefectural Kyoto First Girls High School.

Marriage and Subsequent Life

On December 9, 1938 (Showa 13), she was granted permission to marry Duke Bunya Nijō, one of the five regent houses. Subsequently, on March 23, 1939 (Showa 14), she was awarded the Second Class of the Order of the Precious Crown, and she married Bunya Nijō on April 2 of the same year. Duke Bunya Nijō was the 29th head of the Nijō family and held the title of duke.

Children and Family Details

After her marriage, Kuni Ko Nijō had four children. Her eldest daughter was Masako Ume-yama (born in 1941, married to Tsūmei Ume-yama), her second daughter was Kazuko Iida (born in 1943, married to Satoshi Iida), and her eldest son was Motonori Nijō (born in 1944), who became the 30th head of the Nijō family.

Honors and Titles

She received the Second Class of the Order of the Precious Crown on March 23, 1939.

Lineage and Blood Relations

Her lineage includes her father Takami-no-miya, her mother Shizuko, her sisters Princess Hoshiko, Princess Noriko, Prince Takahiko, Uji Iehiko, and Nishimoto Norihiko. Her husband, Bunya Nijō, was a duke and the head of the Nijō family. Her children include Masako (daughter), Kazuko (daughter), and Motonori (son).

Additional Information

She attended Kyoto Prefectural Kamo High School, and it is recorded that a landscape painting she drew at age 11 by Princess Kuni Ko is stored in the Digital Collection of the National Diet Library.