Centenarian Japanese Prince Mikasa who loved dancing and hated war laid to rest

Mikasa’s death at the age of 100 – the oldest Japanese royal in recorded history – leaves just four heirs to the Chrysanthemum throne

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People pray at the altar after the funeral of late Prince Mikasa, uncle of the current Emperor Akihito, at the Toshimagaoka cemetery in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: EPA

Published: 4:36pm, 4 Nov 2016Updated: 10:47pm, 4 Nov 2016

Japanese Emperor Akihito’s uncle, Prince Mikasa, who served in China during the second world war and criticised the war waged in his older brother’s name, was laid to rest on Friday in solemn ceremonies attended by royals, the premier and other mourners.

Mikasa’s death at the age of 100 – the oldest Japanese royal in recorded history – leaves just four heirs to the Chrysanthemum throne.

His death comes amid renewed attention to the future of a monarchy whose past traditionalists say stretches back 2,600 years and whose future currently rests with one 10-year-old boy. Women cannot ascend to the throne.

A Shinto priest in white robes walked slowly ahead of the hearse at Tokyo’s Toshimagaoka cemetery under bright blue skies to the sound of “shakuhachi” flute music. Mikasa’s 93-year-old widow, Princess Yuriko, followed in a wheelchair.

Akihito’s heir, Crown Prince Naruhito and his wife, Crown Princess Masako, were in attendance along with dignitaries including Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy.

Centenarian Japanese Prince Mikasa who loved dancing and hated war laid to rest

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Mikasa’s death at the age of 100 – the oldest Japanese royal in recorded history – leaves just four heirs to the Chrysanthemum throne

Mikasa’s death at the age of 100 – the oldest Japanese royal in recorded history – leaves just four heirs to the Chrysanthemum throne