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[[File:Komatsu-akihito.jpg|right|thumb|320px|A statue of Prince Komatsu Akihito, erected in [[Ueno Park]], in [[Tokyo]], [[1912]].]]
*''Born: [[1846]]''
*''Died: [[1903]]/1/18''
*''Other Names'': 純仁法親王 ''(Junnin hou shinnou)'', 東伏見宮嘉彰 ''(Higashi Fushimi no miya Yoshiaki)''
*''Japanese'': 小松宮彰仁親王 ''(Komatsu no miya Akihito shinnou)''

Prince Komatsu-no-miya Akihito was an Imperial prince who commanded forces in the [[Boshin War]] and played a central role in the founding and early administration of the Japanese Red Cross.

Akihito was the eighth son of [[Prince Fushimi Kuniie|Prince Fushimi-no-miya Kuniie]], and was thus an older brother to a number of influential imperial princes, including [[Kitashirakawa Yoshihisa]], [[Prince Fushimi Sadanaru|Fushimi Sadanaru]], and [[Prince Yamashina Sadamaro|Yamashina Sadamaro]]. He entered [[Ninna-ji]] at age 12, in [[1858]], but returned to secular life in [[1867]] at the orders of [[Emperor Komei|Emperor Kômei]], taking on the name Higashi-Fushimi-no-miya Yoshiaki.

Yoshiaki took part in the [[Battle of Toba-Fushimi]] in [[1868]]/1 as commander of the subjugation of the East (''Seitô-tai-shôgun''), and in the [[Boshin War]] which followed as well. During the [[Satsuma Rebellion]] of [[1877]], the prince played a central role in the establishment of the Hakuai-sha, which provided medical attention to the wounded, and was named its president. In [[1882]], Prince Yoshiaki was renamed Komatsu-no-miya Akihito. The Hakuai-sha then became the Japanese Red Cross in [[1887]].

Meanwhile, in [[1881]], Prince Akihito served as the head of the welcoming committee for the visit of King [[David Kalakaua|David Kalākaua]] of Hawaiʻi, the first foreign head of state to visit Japan.<ref>King [[Sho Nei|Shô Nei]] of the [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû Kingdom]] is an exception, having been brought to Japan as a prisoner of war in [[1609]].</ref> During the king's visit, Prince Akihito accompanied Kalākaua on a number of occasions as he traveled across [[Tokyo]], as well as hosting a reception for the king at his princely residence, ... At a number of these events, the prince wore the Grand Cross of the [[Order of the Rising Sun]], an honor he shared with his brothers Prince Fushimi and Prince Kitashirakawa, among others. The princes were all also awarded the [[Order of Kamehameha I]] by King Kalākaua.<ref>Masaji Marumoto, "Vignette of Early Hawaii-Japan Relations: Highlights of King Kalakaua's Sojourn in Japan on His Trip around the World as Recorded in His Personal Diary", ''Hawaiian Journal of History'' 10 (1976), 52-63.</ref>

Prince Akihito died on [[1903]]/1/18, at the age of 58. A bronze statue of him, designed by [[Bunten]] judge [[Okuma Ujijiro|Ôkuma Ujihiro]], was erected within [[Ueno Park]] in February [[1912]].

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==References==
*Plaque associated with statue of Prince Komatsu at Ueno Park.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/8544787822/sizes/h/]
<references/>

[[Category:Imperial Family]]
[[Category:Meiji Period]]
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