Atsuko, Princess Yori – The fourth daughter

Atsuko, Princess Yori was born on 7 March 1931 as the fourth daughter of Emperor Hirohito of Japan and Empress Nagako.

Her elder sisters are Shigeko, Princess Teru (born 1925), Sachiko, Princess Hisa (born 1927 – died 1928), and Kazuko, Princess Taka (born 1929). Her younger siblings are Emperor Emeritus Akihito (born 1933), Masahito, Prince Hitachi (born 1935) and Takako, Princess Suga (born 1939).

The birth of a fourth daughter was a disappointment as women cannot succeed to the Chrysanthenum throne. The New York Times reported, “The 90,000,000 subjects of the Emperor of Japan had hoped that the infant would be a son, to succeed Emperor Hirohito to the throne.”¹ The Empress was nicknamed “onno bara’, literally “girl womb” or “girl tummy” by the Imperial Household Agency, who also tried to insist that the Emperor should take a concubine to produce a male heir.² It wasn’t until 1933 that a son was born to the couple.

The newborn Princess received her name seven days after her birth. The New York Times reported, “Japan’s tiniest bit of royalty was named Yori Atsuko today on the seventh day after the Princess’s birth and shortly thereafter, in accordance with time-honored rites, Emperor Hirohito reported the name to the spirits of the imperial ancestors. The name was chosen from ancient Japanese scriptures, Yori meaning ‘obedience to heaven’ and Atsuko meaning ‘generosity to those on earth.'”³

Atsuko was raised with her two elder sisters at a separate household from her parents. She attended the prestigious Gakushūin Peer’s School and also received English language tutoring from Elizabeth Gray Vining. Elizabeth gave all her students an English name, and Atsuko’s name was Patricia.⁴ Atsuko was “pleased” with her English name.⁵

Elizabeth described Atsuko, “I recognized Atsuko from her resemblance to the Crown Prince and her look of well-being. She was dressed exactly like the others, but her blue serge was not shabby, and she was well shod. She had curly hair and an unusually fair skin, a shy, rather eager smile. She liked science and volley ball and took little interest in clothes.”⁶ In March 1952, she graduated from Gakushūin University Women’s College.

Atsuko would soon be leaving the imperial family. Any Princess who married a commoner was required to relinquish their imperial titles and leave the family as per the Imperial House Law. On 2 September 1952, the New York Times reported, “Princess Atsuko, fourth daughter of Emperor Hirohito and known as the ‘Princess of Roses,’ will marry a farmer of noble blood next month, the Imperial Household Minister announced today. The Shinto ceremony uniting the Princess and Takamasa Ikeda will take place on Oct.10.”⁷

Takamasa Ikeda was the eldest son of former Marquis Nobumasa Ikeda, who had lost his title in 1947 during the American occupation. They were second cousin through the same great-grandfather, Asahiko, Prince Kuni. Their wedding plans had been postponed due to the period of mourning following the death of her grandmother, Empress Teimei.

It was reported that “For her wedding with Takamasa Ikeda, the tiny, 22-year-old Princess wore a rich white, green, gold and silver brocade robe over a purple skirt. The costume dated back to the Heian era of 1000 years ago. She wore her hair in the traditional osaberakashi – lifted up and back, and then falling over her back like a waterfall. Emperor Hirohito could not be present because of a cold. However, Empress Nagaki, Crown Prince Akihito, imperial relatives and close friends of the Ikeda family attended. The Princess and her 26-year-old husband will live on a farm in Okayama prefecture, where a newly-built cottage awaits them.”⁸

After their wedding, Atsuko became known as Mrs Takamasa Ikeda. They did not have any children together.

Atsuko succeeded her elder sister, Kazuko, as the most sacred priestess of the Ise Grand Shrine. She served in that role until 2017, when she was succeeded by her niece, Sayako. She was widowed in 2012.

1. New York Times
2. LA Times
3. New York Times
4. Windows for the Crown Prince by Elizabeth Gray Vining p.51
5. Windows for the Crown Prince by Elizabeth Gray Vining p.61
6. Windows for the Crown Prince by Elizabeth Gray Vining p.52
7. New York Times
8. St. Louis Post-Dispatch 1952-10-10: Vol 105 Iss 12 p.50