Have you ever pondered where a prince resides? Here at the Residence of Prince Mikasa, history whispers. This residence is within the Akasaka Estate in Motoakasaka, Minato, Tokyo. It has been home to Prince Mikasa since November 1970.
Prince Mikasa was a fascinating figure. Born Takahito on December 2, 1915, he was the youngest son of Emperor Taisho and Empress Teimei. Imagine growing up in the Tokyo Imperial Palace. He was the last surviving child of his parents. His eldest brother was Emperor Showa, also known as Hirohito.
Prince Mikasa’s life took many turns. He served as a junior cavalry officer in the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. After the war, he became a scholar. He lectured on Middle Eastern studies and Semitic languages. He even developed a special interest in Jewish studies.
Consider this. Prince Mikasa married Yuriko Takagi in 1941. They had five children together. Sadly, Prince and Princess Mikasa outlived all three of their sons. Prince Mikasa became the oldest living member of the Imperial House of Japan in 2004. He remained active until shortly before his death at 100 years old.
During his military service, Prince Mikasa saw some terrible things. He was critical of the Japanese military’s conduct in China. He spoke of being shocked by the treatment of Chinese prisoners of war. He even showed Emperor Hirohito a film of Japanese atrocities.
After the war, Prince Mikasa urged Emperor Hirohito to abdicate. He wanted him to take responsibility for Japan’s defeat. General Douglas MacArthur insisted that Hirohito remain on the throne.
Following his military career, Prince Mikasa pursued academics. He studied at the University of Tokyo. He directed the Japanese Society for Middle East Studies for many years. He also taught at various universities. People knew him as the Imperial scholar.
Imagine Prince Mikasa in his later years. He lived at this residence with Princess Mikasa. He used a wheelchair and underwent heart surgery in 2012. Still, he exercised daily and enjoyed watching sumo and music programs. He celebrated his 100th birthday in 2015. He was the first member of the imperial family to become a centenarian.
Prince Mikasa passed away on October 27, 2016. His funeral was held at Toshimagaoka Imperial Cemetery. Many people attended including members of the imperial family and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
The Residence of Prince Mikasa stands as a reminder of a long and eventful life. It is a place where history was made. It is a place where a prince lived a life of service, scholarship, and reflection.