The Followers Of Emperor Hirohito Do Not Like His Wife.

Empress Nagako, the eldest daughter of Prince Kuni, was wed to the emperor. When he was 16 and she was 14, their marriage was prearranged. Due to rumors that her relatives were colorblind, certain imperial leaders opposed their union. The devastating Tokyo earthquake caused a one-year postponement of the wedding. Many Japanese people did not particularly like the Empress Nagako.

During their first year of marriage, she and her husband had trouble getting along. Her major responsibility as empress was to bear a son and an heir. No prior emperor had taken a chance on this. All had numerous concubines, including Hirohito's father and grandfather. However, Hirohito took the uncommon step of dismissing the 39 royal concubines and confining himself to his wife.

But despite Nagako having given birth to four daughters, one of whom passed from infancy, after almost ten years of marriage, there was still no son. The nation was getting more and more unstable outside the palace gates. The military considered removing Hirohito and installing his violent brother, who had numerous sons, in his place. Rumors circulated that the emperor would marry a second woman and have sons. The emperor was urged by courtiers to bring the concubines back. Hirohito didn't seem to care. The current emperor, Akihito, was born on December 23, 1933, when Nagako got pregnant once more. There were festivities all around Japan. The next son arrived.