Imperial Household (Japan)

The Imperial Household (内廷皇族 Naitei kōzoku, also known as the Inner court), is the term for the Emperor of Japan's direct family and includes the Empress, the Empress dowager, the Grand Empress Dowager, the Imperial Crown Prince, (皇太子, kōtaishi, the heir to the throne who is son of the current Emperor), and the Imperial Crown Princess (皇太子妃, kōtaishihi, the wife of the Imperial Crown Prince), and any unmarried children of the above.

Currently Prince Fumihito holds the title of kōshi (皇嗣) as he is not the son of the current emperor, thus is not part of the Imperial household. His wife, Princess Kiko, currently holds the title kōshihi (皇嗣妃), as she is the wife of the crown prince, and not the wife of the Imperial Crown Prince. Princess Abe is the only woman to have held the title Imperial Crown Prince in her own right.

The Empress Emerita, based on the Emperor Abdication Law, is considered an equivalent to Empress Dowager (a title she will receive should her husband predecease her). The Emperor and Emperor Emeritus are usually excluded from this.

History

During the Taishō era, the Imperial Household comprised the following:

During the Shōwa era, the Imperial Household comprised the following:

During the Heisei era, the Imperial Household comprised the following:

Current members

These are the current members of the Imperial Household:

Despite Akihito's abdication, Michiko is still part of the Imperial Household. Should Akihito die before her, Michiko would become Empress Dowager.

Extended imperial family

The imperial family of Japan is split into the following branches:

• The Imperial Household
• The Akishino-no-miya, led by Prince Fumihito
• The Hitachi-no-miya, led by Prince Masahito
• The Tomohito Mikasa-no-miya, led by Princess Tomohito of Mikasa
• The Mikasa-no-miya, led by Princess Akiko of Mikasa
• The Takamado-no-miya, led by Princess Hisako

Notes

References