Sakako Higashizono

Etsuko Higashizono (born February 18, 1868 (Kōtō 4 / Meiji 1, January 25) – January 9, 1949 (Showa 24)) was a Japanese viscountess. She was the second daughter of Prince Chichibu no Miya Yasuhiko and the wife (courtesy wife) of Viscount Motonae Higashizono.

Throughout her life, she was recorded as visiting the imperial court and various locations, meeting with members of the imperial family, and participating in events related to the imperial family, as a member of the royal family. She was born on February 18, 1868, as a member of the imperial lineage, raised as the second daughter of Prince Chichibu no Miya Yasuhiko. On April 18, 1883 (Meiji 16), she was called upon by Empress Shoken and observed cherry blossoms within the Imperial Palace Garden. On February 7, 1885 (Meiji 18), she attended the 70th birthday celebration of Prince Akihito of Yamashina. The following year, in 1886 (Meiji 19), she participated in the audiences and banquets with Empress Shōken, and in 1889 (Meiji 22), she met with Empress Dowager Eishō alongside Princess Ogino, Princess Suko, and Princess Shōko.

Subsequently, she participated in various imperial events, travelling to places such as Shinagawa, Nikkō, and Kyoto. She was involved in court affairs including visits to Ise Yzaki in 1890, trips in the Osaka-Nara region in 1892, and a visit to Nikkō in 1893. In 1896, she met with the Empress Dowager at Fushimi-no-miya’s residence, then traveled to Kamakura, where records mention her staying around the area in the early 1900s.

On September 5, 1899 (Meiji 32), she received imperial permission from Emperor Meiji to marry. On September 21, she visited the Imperial Palace and met with Empress Dowager Shōken, receiving gifts. She married Motonae Higashizono on September 26 of the same month. Even after her marriage, she continued to participate in imperial court events, and although she had no children, her husband Motonae Higashizono died on November 10, 1920 (Taishō 9).

In her later years, she spent her time at home and died of angina pectoris on January 9, 1949, at her residence in Mizu no Ko, Atami City.

In terms of honors, she was awarded the Honorary Membership Badge of the Japan Red Cross Society on May 22, 1890 (Meiji 23), and received the Grand Service Order of the Sacred Treasure on November 10, 1915 (Taishō 4).