Emperor Taisho Biography: Nationality, Wikipedia, Age, Net Worth, Parents, Wife, Siblings, Children

Yoshihito, posthumously known as Emperor Taishō, was the 123rd Emperor of Japan, reigning from July 30, 1912, until his death on December 25, 1926.

He succeeded his father, Emperor Meiji, and was followed by his son, Emperor Shōwa (Hirohito). His reign, referred to as the Taishō era (meaning “Great Justice”), was marked by significant political and social transformation.

Domestically, the period witnessed the rise of Taishō Democracy, characterized by the expansion of parliamentary influence, the introduction of universal male suffrage, and a gradual decline in imperial authority.

On the international stage, Japan aligned with the Allied Powers during World War I and took part in the Siberian Intervention amidst the Russian Civil War.

Profile

• Full Name: Yoshihito
• Stage Name: Emperor Taisho
• Born: 31 August 1879
• Died: 25 December 1926
• Age: 47 years old
• Birthplace: Akasaka, Tokyo, Japan
• Nationality: Japanese
• Occupation: Former Emperor of Japan
• Height: Unknown
• Parents: Emperor Meiji, Empress Shōken, Yanagiwara Naruko
• Siblings: Princess Masako Takeda, Nobuko Asaka, Toshiko Higashikuni
• Spouse: Empress Teimei (m. 1900–1926)
• Children: Hirohito, Takahito, Prince Mikasa, Yasuhito, Prince Chichibu, Nobuhito, Prince Takamatsu
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: Unknown

Early Life And Education

Yoshihito was born on August 31, 1879, at Tōgū Palace in Akasaka, Tokyo, Japan.

He was the son of Emperor Meiji and Yanagiwara Naruko, one of the emperor’s concubines, though Empress Shōken (Haruko) was officially recognized as his mother in accordance with imperial tradition.

Following the early deaths of his two elder brothers, Yoshihito became the only surviving son of his mother.

As crown prince, he was the first imperial heir to receive a public education, attending the Peers’ School (now Gakushūin University), where he studied both Western subjects and traditional Japanese and Chinese classics.

He also received private instruction from Japanese and foreign tutors.

Yoshihito was of Japanese ethnicity and followed the Shinto religion.

Career

Emperor Taisho became crown prince in 1889 following the deaths of his elder brothers and ascended the throne in 1912 after Emperor Meiji‘s passing.

His reign, known as the Taishō era (1912–1926), marked a significant transitional period in Japan’s history, bridging the modernization of the Meiji period and the rising militarism of the Shōwa era.

Although his early years were marked by health challenges, Emperor Taishō assumed the throne during a time when Japan was emerging as a modern nation-state with growing international influence.

Domestically, the Taishō era is remembered for the emergence of “Taishō Democracy,” characterized by a shift toward representative government and liberal reforms.

Key developments included the achievement of universal male suffrage in 1925 and the elimination of property-based voting restrictions.

Political parties gained influence, and the Imperial Diet and cabinet ministers assumed greater authority, reducing the direct political role of the emperor.

These changes laid a foundation for Japan’s democratic institutions and reflected a broader trend toward political modernization.

On the international stage, Japan participated in World War I on the side of the Allies, leading to territorial gains and an enhanced global standing.

The country emerged from the conflict as a creditor nation and secured a permanent seat on the League of Nations Council, asserting its status as a world power.

Meanwhile, cultural life flourished, with Western influences shaping art, literature, and social movements.

Despite these achievements, Emperor Taishō‘s poor health increasingly limited his involvement in state affairs, and from 1921, Crown Prince Hirohito served as regent until his father’s death in 1926.

Social Media

Emperor Taisho does not have any social media accounts.

Personal Life

Emperor Taishō married Sadako Kujō in 1900, who became Empress Teimei upon their union.

She was the fourth daughter of Kujō Michitaka, head of the prominent Kujō family within the esteemed Fujiwara clan.

Their marriage marked a turning point in imperial tradition, as Empress Teimei bore four sons, effectively ending the practice of imperial concubinage and establishing monogamy within the imperial household.

The couple’s children included Emperor Shōwa (Hirohito), who succeeded Taishō, as well as Prince Chichibu (Yasuhito), Prince Takamatsu (Nobuhito), and Prince Mikasa (Takahito).

This lineage ensured a stable imperial succession and reinforced the modernization of imperial family practices in line with evolving societal values.

Emperor Taishō‘s health steadily declined in his later years, and in early December 1926, it was publicly announced that he had developed pneumonia.

He passed away on December 25, 1926, at the age of 47, bringing an end to a reign that had bridged eras of profound transformation in Japan.

Net Worth

Emperor Taishō‘s net worth is not publicly documented, as the Japanese imperial family’s wealth traditionally stems from state funding and imperial estates rather than personal assets.

During his reign (1912–1926), his income came from the government-allocated Imperial Household budget, which supported the family’s residences, upkeep, and official duties.