Kan'in-no-miya


The Kan'in-no-miya was the youngest of the four shinnōke, branches of the Imperial Family of Japan which were eligible to succeed to the Chrysanthemum Throne in the event that the main line should die out. It was founded by Prince Naohito, the son of Emperor Higashiyama.
Fearing extinction of the imperial house, Arai Hakuseki proposed that a new branch of the Imperial Family be created. In 1718, Emperor Emeritus Reigen bestowed upon his grandson the title of Kan'in-no-miya and land worth 1000 koku. This was the first new shinnōke formed since the Arisugawa-no-miya lineage in 1625.
The name Kan'in-no-miya is thought to have come from the title of Prince Sadamoto, a son of the Heian-era Emperor Seiwa.
Arai Hakusei's wisdom was soon proved with the second head of the house, Imperial Prince Sukehito. When Emperor Go-Momozono died, he had only a daughter. Sukehito's younger son was chosen to become Emperor Kōkaku.
The Kan'in House became extinct upon the death of its 5th head, Prince Kan'in Naruhito, in 1842, but was revived by Emperor Meiji, who assigned the name to Prince Kotohito, 16th son of Prince Fushimi Kuniie.
The line became extinct again with the death of his son, Kan'in Sumihito in 1988.
NameBornSucceededResignedDied
1Naohito, Prince Kan'in17041718.1753
2Sukehito, Prince Kan'in17331753.1794
3 Kan'in-no-miya Haruhito shinnō 17681794.1818
4 Kan'in-no-miya Tatsuhito shinnō 17921818.1824
5Prince Kan'in Naruhito18181828.1842
6Prince Kan'in Kotohito18651872.1945
7Prince Kan'in Haruhito1902194519471988