Exhibition Outlines

The Late Prince Takamatsu Family was established in 1913. Prince Nobuhito of Takamatsu was born as the third son of the Crown Prince Yoshihito (Emperor Taisho) on January 3rd, 1905. The Late Prince Arisugawa family ceased because Prince Takehito of Arisugawa passed away on July 6th, 1913, and therefore, Prince Nobuhito received the Imperial family title Takamatsu from Emperor Taisho in order to succeed the Late Prince Arisugawa family rites, and became the head of the family at the young age of 8 years old. After studying at Gakushuin and the Naval Academy, the Prince married Tokugawa Kikuko on February 4th, 1930. The same year, he made an official trip to Great Britain and Spain in place of Emperor Showa, and travelled various European countries and the United States for over a year, for international goodwill. After he returned to Japan, during a time of unprecedented hardships, he spent busy days as a navy officer being sent to various areas in the country.

After the war, Prince Nobuhito became honorary presidents of various organizations of various fields such as international goodwill, welfare, arts and crafts, and sports, and attended commemorative ceremonies and tournaments along with the Princess, encouraging those engaged and warmly watched over the development of each field. Prince Nobuhito passed away on February 3rd, 1987 at age 82, after which the Princess became the head of the family. She contributed to the promotion of art and culture and expansion of social welfare until she passed away on December 18th, 2004 at age 92.

In this exhibition, we will introduce the deep relationship between Prince and Princess Takamatsu and art, through the various superior items succeeded from Emperor Taisho, Empress Teimei, and the Late Prince Arisugawa family, along with the items deeply related to Prince and Princess Takamatsu, among those donated to our museum.