Prince Shiki
Prince Shiki, posthumously known as Emperor Kasuga, was a member of the royal family in Japan during the Asuka period.
Biography
Prince Shiki was the seventh son of Emperor Tenji. The prince led a life devoted to cultural fields such as waka poetry, rather than to politics. However, after his death, his sixth son, Prince Shirakabe married Princess Inoe and ascended the throne with the support of many ministers.He was buried in Tawara Nishi tomb of the Imperial Mausoleum in Nara.
Family
Parents- Father: Emperor Tenji
- Mother: Court Lady Koshi-no-michi no Iratsume
- Consort : Princess Taki, daughter of Emperor Tenmu
- * Son: Prince Kasuga
- * Son: Prince Yuhara
- Concubine: Ki no Tochihime, daughter of Ki no Shite
- * Daughter: Imperial Princess Nanba
- * Son: Prince Shirakabe, later Emperor Kōnin
- Concubine: Unknown women
- * Son: Prince Enai
- * Son: Prince Ichi
- * Daughter: Princess Kaijō
- * Daughter: Princess Kinunui
- * Daughter: Imperial Princess Sakaibe
Poems
A poem composed by Prince Shiki after he moved from Asakura Palace to Fujiwara Palace.
Uneme no/Sode fukikaesu /
Asukakaze/Miyako o tōmi/Itazura nu fuku.
Winds of Asuka
Blowing back the weaving sleeves
Of palaces women—
Now the capital is far,
And you blow in vain.
A Poem composed by Prince Shiki when he visited Naniwa Palace
Ashibe yuku/Kamo no hagai ni/Shimi furite/Samuke yūke wa/Yamato shi omōyu
In among the reeds
Go to mallards through the frost
Falling on their wings:
Cold twilight, the still hour
Of longing for Yamato.