Cumazawa

The Cumazawa House (熊沢) is a branch of the Imperial Family. It is currently lead by HIH Tacanobu, Prince Cumazawa.

The origins of the Cumazawa branch date back to the Daicacudji branch of the Imperial Family, which alternated power with the Djimiòin branch from 1260 until 1331, when Emperor Go-Daigo was deposed, beginning, a few years later (1336) the Northern and Southern Courts period, when two rival claimants to the throne existed in Japan. This lasted until 1392, when the Southern Emperor, Gocameyama, returned the Imperial regalia to Quiòto, and ended the Southern Court's existence. The descendants of the Southern Emperors took the surname Cumazawa, and disappeared from history until the Meidji era. In Meidji 39 (1906), the Southern Court were recognized as the legitimate heirs, but the head, Cumazawa Taizen, was offered only a barony, which he declined. The official records list the Southern Court as the legitimate Emperors during the Northern and Southern Courts period, with the Northern Emperors considered pretenders to the throne. Thus far, history is the same as *here*.

They returned to the historical stage during the Xòwa era, beginning in Xòwa 5 (1937), when Cumazawa Hiromitxi, father of the current head of the house, began to call for the abdication of Emperor Xòwa, and the restoration of his lineage to the throne. This eventually led to the Japanese Civil War of Xòwa 10-19 (1942-1951). One of the articles of the treaty ending that war granted Cumazawa Hiromitxi and his descedants recognition as the Cumazawa branch of the Imperial Family, and assurance of permanent existence. The agreement also placed the Cumazawa branch in the line of succession.