Princess Sawako Kitashirakawa

Sawako Higashizono (October 21, 1913 – July 1, 2001) was a member of the Japanese Imperial family. She was born as the second princess between Prince Naruhisa Kitashirakawa and his consort, Princess Fusa, the seventh daughter of Emperor Meiji. Details about her birthplace and specific birthplace are not recorded.

Her former name was Princess Sawako (Sawako Joō), and before leaving the Imperial family registry, her titles included princess. In the Imperial Household Law, her honorific title was "Her Highness." Her siblings include Prince Nagahisa Kitashirakawa, older sister Princess Mieko Tachibana, and younger sister Princess Taeko Tokugawa. Her ancestors trace back to Emperor Meiji’s lineage.

Born in 1913 (Taisho 2), her father, Prince Naruhisa, died in an accident on April 1, 1923, in the outskirts of Paris. After his death, her mother, Princess Fusa, also sustained serious injuries. From childhood until she reached adulthood in 1933 (Showa 8), she was cared for and educated as a member of the Imperial family by Ishikawa Renpei, who was the head of the Hokuhirakawa family.

On December 17, 1934 (Showa 9), she was awarded the Second Class of the Order of the Rising Sun with Paulownia Blossom. Subsequently, she married Viscount Kihumi Higashizono. After marriage, she retained her Imperial status but left the Imperial family registry.

She died of respiratory failure at her home in Tokyo on July 1, 2001, at the age of 87. During her lifetime, she served as the chairwoman of the alumni association "Jōtankai" of Gakushuin Girls' School.

Her honors include the Great Establishment Commemorative Medal (awarded November 10, 1928) and the Second Class of the Order of the Crown of Thorns (awarded December 17, 1934).

Her relatives include her father Prince Naruhisa Kitashirakawa, her mother Princess Fusa, her older brother Prince Nagahisa, and her sisters Princess Mieko Tachibana and Princess Taeko Tokugawa.

She and her husband, Kihumi Higashizono, have children: Kih Masa, who serves as an executive director of Gakushuin Educational Institution; Yoko Iwase, an executive at Mitsukoshi and wife of Kieichiro Iwase; Kihiro, president of Huis Ten Bosch; Kiharu, COO of Wise Therapeutics; and Riko Kawasaki, wife of Fumichiro Kawasaki, president of Kawasaki Denko.

Additionally, materials and information about her are included in the category of Wikimedia Commons.