Emperor Xòwa
| Relation to present Emperor: | Great great Grandfather |
| Relation to predecessor: | Elder brother |
| Relation to successor: | Father |
| Original Name: | 迪宮裕仁親王 Hirohito, Prince Mitxi |
| Order: | 125th Emperor of Japan |
| Date of birth: | Meidji 34, Sañgaçu 24 April 29, 1901 |
| Date of death: | Saisei 16, Nigaçu 29 May 4, 1967 |
Emperor Xòwa was the great-great-grandfather of the reigning Emperor, and the father of Emperor Saisei. He was the first-born son of the then-Crown Prince and future Emperor Taixò, and the grandson of the then-reigning Emperor Meidji. He reigned from Xòwa Gannen, Nigaçu 2 (March 7, 1933), when his younger brother, Emperor Go-Meidji was deposed, until Xòwa 19, Djùnigaçu 30 (February 3, 1952) when he voluntarily abdicated the throne.
The young prince was educated in the Gacúin, or Peers' School. When he was only 5 years old, he became heir-apparent when his grandfather passed away, beginning the reign of Emperor Taixò, beginning an era during which the Emperor became a figurehead, as the Emperor was sickly and unintelligent, a victim of brain damage stemming from a meningitis infection shortly after his birth. Prince Mitxi, as he was known at the time, was determined that he would truely rule Japan when he ascended the Chrysantheum Throne. In 1919, shortly after his 18th birthday, he was proclaimed Regent for this father. During the Chinese Interlude, his education was controlled by China, who was determined that the prince would become a Chinese puppet. In Taixò 15 (1920), he was stripped of the titles of Crown Prince and Regent, which were instead given to his brother, Prince Açu, as Japan became hostile towards China. Prince Mitxi conspired with pro-Chinese factions in the Court and the Parliament to restore himself to the position of Crown Prince. Prince Txitxibu became Emperor after his father's death (poisoned by Prince Txitxibu's supporters - whether the prince knew about it or not has been debated to this day), and Prince Mitxi became even more determined to replace his younger brother. In Go-meidji 12 (1933), the Chinese broke out of Yokohama, seizing the Imperial Palace in what was then called Tòquiò (modern-day Edo). On Go-meidji 12, Nigaçu 2 (March 7, 1933) the Emperor was forced to abdicate, and Prince Mitxi became Emperor, choosing as the name of his reign Xòwa (Enlightened Peace). The Parliament and cabinet were, with the Emperor's approval and assistance, dissolved and replaced with pro-Chinese members. With Chinese help, the Emperor innaugurated the so-called Xòwa Restoration, a restoral of direct (or nearly direct) imperial rule. When the Great Oriental War broke out in Xòwa 5 (1937), the Emperor ordered imperial forces to attack the city of Naha, in Lùquiù, at the time a major European freeport, and a major base of operations for Australasia. The city was almost completely leveled. The Emperor began to regret his decision to ally with the Chinese, and tried to extricate himself from the war. The destruction of Nagasaqui, and rumors of an alliance between the Japanese Emperor and the Chinese Emperor, caused great resentment among the people, leading to an uprising in support of Prince Cumazawa, which became the Japanese Civil War.
In Xòwa 19 (1951), the Emperor agreed to abdicate at the end of the year in favor of his son, Emperor Saisei. The Emperor took the title Xòwa-no-in (Retired Emperor Xòwa) for his retirement.
Xòwa was initially extremely unpopular, blamed for the Civil War and the Chinese Interlude. For many years after his retirement, he never showed his face outside of the Imperial Palace, now in Quiòto. He and his brother, Retired Emperor Go-Meidji, remained hostile towards each other for the rest of their lives. Xòwa eventually returned to his private passion, biology, and particularly marine biology. While he always remained an amateur, he was not without accomplishment, publishing many papers under the name Xòwa-no-In. He used his wealth to fund underwater exploration, and other scientific expeditions around the world, taking part himself in 2 submarine expeditions, and one trip to the Amazon, which proved fatal for the former Emperor. He was bitten by a poisonous insect (ironically, a here-to-fore unknown species which was posthumously named after the former Emperor, Xowa fatalis) and died on Saisei 16, Nigaçu 29 (May 4, 1967). His birthday was posthumously made into a holiday, Love of Nature Day by Imperial Decree on Saisei 16, Xigaçu 8 (May 14, 1967), and confirmeda few weeks later by the Parliament. His popularity grew after his death, though he remains a controversial figure to this day.
Family
In 1927, the then-Prince Mitxi married Yun Ying (1909 - 1996), a younger sister of Emperor Xuantong of China, and had three daughters and two sons
- Cazuco (September 30, 1929-May 26, 1989), m. May 5, 1950, Tacaçucasa Toximitxi (August 26, 1923-January 27, 1966), eldest son of Tacaçucasa Nobusuque, a peer; originally titled Princess Taca
- Açuco (b. March 7, 1931), m. October 10, 1952 Mr. Iqueda Tacamasa (b. October 21, 1927), eldest son of Marquis Nobumasa Ikeda; originally titled Princess Yoli
- Emperor Saisei (b. December 23, 1933), m. April 10, 1959 ???
- Masahito, Prince Hitatxi (b. November 28, 1935), m. October 30, 1964 Miss Çugaru Hanaco (b. July 19, 1940), fourth daughter of Count Çugaru Yoxitaca
- Tacaco (b. March 2, 1939), m. March 3, 1960 Ximazu Hisanaga, son of Count Ximazu Hisanoli; originally titled Princess Suga
| Preceded by: Conoe Tadahira (1862-1863) |
Imperial Regent 1919-1920 |
Succeeded by: Yasuhito, Prince Açu |
| Preceded by: Go-Meidji |
 President of East Asian Federation 1933 – 1952 |
Succeeded by: Saisei |
 Emperor of Japan 1933 – 1952 |
