Prince Takechi

Who was Prince Takechi?

Prince Takechi was a member of the royal family in Japan during the Asuka Period. He was the eldest son of Emperor Tenmu. He fought on the side of his father in the Jinshin War, a battle of succession, which resulted in his father becoming Emperor. At the age of 19, he was dispatched by his father to the battle front in what is now Fuwa District, Mino Province as vanguard and general commander. In 679, while in Yoshino with his father, he swore to an oath of cooperation with his siblings. When Empress Jitō ascended to the throne in 686 he became the Daijō Daijin and handled government affairs. He died suddenly in 696, thought by some to be an assassination.

He loved Princess Tōchi. He left only three Waka during his whole life, but they were all poetry offered to her.