Princess Hiroko

Queen Hiroko (born February 21, 1906 — died September 1, 1923) was a member of the Japanese Imperial Family. She was the fourth daughter (sixth child) of Prince Kan'in Nosuke (Kun'in Miya Jani no Miya). Her mother was Chieko, the daughter of Duke Sanjo Sanetomi.

Regarding her birth and family composition, she was born in Tokyo on February 21, 1906. Her father was Prince Kan'in Nosuke, and her mother was Chieko. Her siblings included Atsuhito, Queen Kyoko, Princess Shige, Princess Kiko, Prince Haruhito, Princess Hiroko, and Princess Hanako.

On September 1, 1923, during the Great Kanto Earthquake, she was staying at the Kan'in Palace residence in Odawara, Kanagawa Prefecture. The residence was destroyed by fire and collapse caused by the earthquake, resulting in her being crushed under the debris and losing her life at age 17. Her parents and younger sister Princess Hanako were also caught under the collapse but were rescued without serious injuries. During this earthquake, Queen Sakariko (the wife of Prince Yamagata and sister-in-law of the Emperor) and Prince Koreyasu of the Higashikuni family also perished, bringing the total number of imperial family members who died to three.

Her body was transported to Shibaura on the destroyer "Yu-Nagi" on the night of the 4th. A funeral service was held at the Kan'in Palace residence on September 10, 1923, and she was buried at the Tōjō-oka Cemetery in Bunkyō, Tokyo. On the anniversary of her death, September 1, 1948, her brother Haruhito, who had renounced imperial status, established a Jizo statue at their Odawara villa for memorial purposes.

Queen Hiroko was awarded the Second Class of the Order of the Sacred Crown on September 1, 1923.

According to records from that era, details about marriages and descendants of the imperial family are very sparse. After her death, there are few detailed records regarding her family or relatives' subsequent activities.

**Family composition:**

- Father: Prince Kan'in Nosuke

- Mother: Princess Chieko (daughter of Duke Sanjo Sanetomi)

- Siblings: Atsuhito, Queen Kyoko, Princess Shige, Princess Kiko, Prince Haruhito, Princess Hiroko, Princess Hanako

**Main events:**

- February 21, 1906: Birth

- September 1, 1923: Death in the Great Kanto Earthquake

- 1948: Involved in body disposal and the establishment of a Jizo statue

**References:**

- Honor: Second Class of the Order of the Sacred Crown (awarded on September 1, 1923)