Naruhiko Higashikuni 1887 – 1990

Biography

Naruhiko Higashikuni was born on December 3, 1887, in Kyoto, Japan, into a distinguished imperial family. Throughout his life, he carried the title and responsibilities of a Japanese prince, representing a lineage deeply woven into the nation’s history and culture. His birth in the ancient capital reflected the prominence of his family within Japanese society during the Meiji period.

Prince Higashikuni lived through one of Japan’s most transformative centuries, witnessing profound changes in his country’s political, social, and cultural landscape. His long life—spanning more than a century—allowed him to observe and experience the evolution of modern Japan across multiple generations and historical periods.

He passed away on January 20, 1990, in Tokyo at the remarkable age of 102, his death resulting from heart failure. His final resting place is Toshimagaoka Cemetery in Ōtsuka, Japan, where he was laid to rest with the honor befitting his station. Prince Higashikuni’s legacy endures as a connection to Japan’s imperial heritage and the dramatic historical transformations of the twentieth century.