u/rws_princeofxindino

Perhaps no one noticed the promotion Gray Wolf's card given out in this competition has the wrong spelling of scientific name. The correct scientific name is "Canis lupus lupus"

In Pontian, Johor, Malaysia

Special thanks to u/Ruy_Fernandez who helped me for correct the text, Humphrey and Viruherumu, who know about Japanese history, and thank friends/members in UsefulCharts community

For the chart file, please go to my DeviantArt

I created the first version of this project in 2024. Since then, I have continued researching the genealogy of Japanese royal descendants and have discovered numerous omissions, overlooked family members, and additional branches not included in the original chart.

Because of these findings, I decided to update and rebuild the project in 2026, including new members who were born in 2024 and 2025. New charts include many individuals who were absent from the 2024 chart, along with corrections and expanded lineage information.

As in the original 2024 series, the first chart is dedicated to the descendants of Takatsukasa Sukehira. Sukehira was the fourth son of Imperial Prince Naohito of Kan'in I, who was the fifth son of Emperor Higashiyama and the sixth great-grandfather to the current Emperor. Therefore, his descendants are the closest in bloodline to the current imperial family. Sukehira was adopted by the Takatsukasa regent family (a branch of the Konoe family, which was the senior line of the Northern Fujiwara clan) in 1743, and his family became the third Kobetsusekke.

This chart includes the descendants of Takatsukasa Sukehira's eldest son, Takatsukasa Masahiro, and sixth son, Tokudaiji Sanekata (his other sons entered the priesthood in accordance with aristocratic customs). Masahiro later inherited the Takatsukasa family, while Sanekata was adopted into the Tokudaiji family as heir and subsequently continued the family.

Sanekata had two sons, Kinseki and Michitoyo. Instead of inheriting from their biological father's family, they were adopted into the Yotsutsuji and Nakanoin families, respectively, becoming heirs to those houses and continuing their family lines. Sanekata himself then adopted his great-grandnephew (nominally grandnephew) Kin'ito to inherit the Toukudaiji family, and Kin'ito had the largest descent (will be mentioned below). 

Mikihiro's eldest son, Masamichi, succeeded him, and his other sons became priests. Mikihiro had four daughters who married into the Imperial House. The first daughter, Yoshiko, married her third cousin, Imperial Prince Tatsuhito of Kan'in III. Tsunako and Yasuko became empresses consorts to Emperor Ninko. Lastly, Hiroko married Imperial Prince Kuniie of Fushimi XX/XXIII. (Kuniie's descendants will be in the fourth chart).

Among Masamichi's sons, two left descents that survive to the present day: the eldest son, Sukehiro, and the second son, Hanazono Kanenobu (Kanenobu entered Shin Buddhism, which allowed monks to be married and have children). Sukehiro had his first child when he was 13 y/o, the child was adopted by Sukehiro's father, Masamichi, and publicly acknowledged as Masamichi's youngest son. The boy was later adopted by Tokudaiji Sanekata and became known as Tokudaiji Kin‘ito. Sukehiro later fathered two more surviving sons, Sukemasa and Kikutei Yukisue. Sukemasa left no descendants. As for Yukisue's line, his grandson had only one daughter, and the male line did not continue beyond that generation. Sukehiro's third daughter later married her first cousin, Hanazono Sawaokoru, and Sukehiro's eighth daughter later married her uncle-in-law, Imperial Prince Sadanori of Fushimi XXI (previously Sadanori had married her aunt, Masamichi's ninth daughter). The headship of the Takatsukasa family was eventually inherited by Sukehiro's adopted son, Hiromichi, who was born to the Kujō Hisatada (brother of Emperor Meiji's foster mother). Hiromichi's great-grandson married Emperor Showa's third daughter. 

Kin‘ito had five surviving sons: Sanetsune, who succeeded him; Saionji Kinmochi, who would become the Prime Minister; Nakanoin Michitadashi; Suehiro Takemaro; and Sumitomo Tomoito, who was adopted by Japan's most historic merchant family, the Sumitomo family. Sanetsune had four sons: Kinhiro, who succeeded him; Takachiho Nobumaro, who was known for being involved in establishing the Hikosan Biological Laboratory; Norimaro; and Hinhiro. One point worth noting is that Sadanori, a great-grandson of Kimihiro and the uncle of the current family head, Sanehiro, married Michiko, a daughter of Prince Tsunenori of the Kaya II. The marriage ended in divorce in 1945, and the couple had no children.

Former Prime Minister Saionji Kinmochi had only daughters. Little reliable information is available regarding Suehiro Takemaro, while the grandson of Nakanoin Michinori left only daughters. As a result, among the five brothers, only the lines of Tokudaiji Sanenori and Sumitomo Tomoito continue.

Within the Sumitomo family, the current head descends from Tomoito's youngest son's eldest son. Tomoito's eldest son was disqualified from succession for personal reasons, resulting in the succession passing to a different branch of the family.

Kin‘ito had five surviving sons: Sanetsune, who succeeded him; Saionji Kinmochi, who later became Prime Minister; Nakanoin Michitadashi; Suehiro Takemaro; and Sumitomo Tomoito, who was adopted by Japan's most ancient historic merchant family, the Sumitomo family. Sanetsune had four sons: Kinhiro, who succeeded him; Takachiho Nobumaro, who is known for being involved in establishing the Hikosan Biological Laboratory; Norimaro; and Hinhiro. It is noteworthy that Sadanori, a great-grandson of Kimihiro and uncle of the current family head, Sanehiro, married Michiko, a daughter of Prince Tsunenori of the Kaya II. The marriage ended in divorce in 1945 and the couple had no children.

Prime Minister Saionji Kinmochi had only daughters. Little reliable information is available regarding Suehiro Takemaro, while the grandson of Nakanoin Michinori left only daughters. As a result, among the five brothers, only the lines of Tokudaiji Sanenori and Sumitomo Tomoito continue.

Within the Sumitomo family, the current head descends from Tomoito's youngest son's eldest son. Tomoito's eldest son was disqualified from succession for personal reasons, resulting in the succession passing to a different branch of the family. 

The majority of Hanazono Kanenobu's descendants either founded independent branches or were adopted into other families of the Buddhist clergy rather than remaining in the principal line. The leadership of Kōshō-ji Temple ultimately passed to his third son, Takushō, who succeeded his father as head of the temple. Takushō's eldest and youngest sons were adopted into two other temple families, while his fifth son was adopted into the Yukiatsu Baronial family, whose members traditionally served as chief priests of Nagano Shrine. As a result, the Kōshō-ji and its principal line were inherited by Takushō's second son, Majun. The current head priest of Kōshō-ji is Shinchō, a grandson of Shinjun. Shinchō has no sons, and the temple is expected to be succeeded by his daughter. The current head of the Yukitasu family is Kajino, grandson of Yukiyasu. He is known for his involvement in education and has held positions including Principal of Shitennōji Junior High School and Senior High School.

Sanekata's principal wife was Nobuko, a daughter of Daigo Teruhisa. Teruhisa was a male-line descendant of Ichijō Akiyoshi, the ninth son of Emperor Go-Yōzei, whose lineage will be discussed in Part 3. Sanekata and Nobuko had three children: two sons and one daughter. Their sons were Yotsuji Kinseki and Nakanoin Michitoyo.

Kinseki had four surviving sons; three succeeded to the Yotsuji family, and one entered the priesthood, returned to secular life, and was subsequently ennobled as Baron during the Meiji Restoration, who was Kitakawahara Kiminori. After Kinyasu succeeded his older brother, Kinyoshi (also his adoptive father), in the family, he was ennobled as a Count and changed the family name "Yotsuji" to "Muromachi". The family and noble title were then succeeded by his nephew, Kinmoto, Kinyoshi's first son. 

Kinyoshi had four sons. The eldest was Count Kinmoto, and the youngest, Tamishirō, was adopted into the Tōugi family, a distinguished lineage associated with the transmission of gagaku court music for over thirteen centuries.

According to the information currently available, among Kinyoshi's sons, only the branches of Kinyoshi and Tamishirō are known to survive as descendants to the present day. A noteworthy detail is that Tamishirō and his descendants continued the Tōugi family's long association with court music, with several members serving as conductors of the Imperial Household Agency's Music Department. 

Kinmoto had three sons, Kinfuji, Kintomo, and Saburo. Kintomo was adopted into the Baronial Family of Shinbatei and had only two daughters, and Kinfuji succeeded the Muromachi family and had three sons, Kinmasa, Kinkei, and Kinnori. The current Muromachi family line descends through Kinnori's youngest son, as his eldest son died without issue. Meanwhile, the second son was adopted into the Viscomital Family of Yamato. Based on the information presently available, the Yamamoto branch continues through one son and two grandsons. 

Kitakawahara Kiminori had three known sons. The current Kitakawahara family descends from the eldest son of his youngest son, Kimiumi. Kimiumi had two sons: Kimifumi and Suetaka. The current head of the Kitakawahara family is Kimihiro, the eldest son of Kimifumi. At present, Kimihiro is a Buddhist monk of the Kegon school and serves as its chief abbot. Following his grandfather and father, he became the 220th chief administrator of Tōdai-ji Temple. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Tōdai-ji Educational Foundation and previously held the position of sixth chief priest of the Japanese Temple at Bodh Gaya, India. Kimiumi‘s youngest son, Suetaka, was adopted into the Senshū family, an ancient lineage that has served as hereditary chief priests of Atsuta Shrine since early times.

Finally, it is worth mentioning Nakanoin Michitoyo. Although Michitoyo had two sons of his own, he ultimately chose Michitadashi, a son of Tokudaiji Kin'ito, as his heir and successor. Michitoyo's eldest son later established an independent branch of the family, but little information regarding his descendants is currently available. His youngest son was adopted into the Sumitomo family, however that line produced only two daughters and no male heirs.

For the chart file, please go to my DeviantArt

Special thanks to u/Ruy_Fernandez who helped me for correct the text, Humphrey and Viruherumu, who know about Japanese history, and thank friends/members in UsefulCharts community

I created the first version of this project in 2024. Since then, I have continued researching the genealogy of Japanese royal descendants and have discovered numerous omissions, overlooked family members, and additional branches not included in the original chart.

Because of these findings, I decided to update and rebuild the project in 2026, including new members who were born in 2024 and 2025. New charts include many individuals who were absent from the 2024 chart, along with corrections and expanded lineage information.

As in the original 2024 series, the first chart is dedicated to the descendants of Takatsukasa Sukehira. Sukehira was the fourth son of Imperial Prince Naohito of Kan'in I, who was the fifth son of Emperor Higashiyama and the sixth great-grandfather to the current Emperor. Therefore, his descendants are the closest in bloodline to the current imperial family. Sukehira was adopted by the Takatsukasa regent family (a branch of the Konoe family, which was the senior line of the Northern Fujiwara clan) in 1743, and his family became the third Kobetsusekke.

This chart includes the descendants of Takatsukasa Sukehira's eldest son, Takatsukasa Masahiro, and sixth son, Tokudaiji Sanekata (his other sons entered the priesthood in accordance with aristocratic customs). Masahiro later inherited the Takatsukasa family, while Sanekata was adopted into the Tokudaiji family as heir and subsequently continued the family.

Sanekata had two sons, Kinseki and Michitoyo. Instead of inheriting from their biological father's family, they were adopted into the Yotsutsuji and Nakanoin families, respectively, becoming heirs to those houses and continuing their family lines. Sanekata himself then adopted his great-grandnephew (nominally grandnephew) Kin'ito to inherit the Toukudaiji family, and Kin'ito had the largest descent (will be mentioned below). 

Mikihiro's eldest son, Masamichi, succeeded him, and his other sons became priests. Mikihiro had four daughters who married into the Imperial House. The first daughter, Yoshiko, married her third cousin, Imperial Prince Tatsuhito of Kan'in III. Tsunako and Yasuko became empresses consorts to Emperor Ninko. Lastly, Hiroko married Imperial Prince Kuniie of Fushimi XX/XXIII. (Kuniie's descendants will be in the fourth chart).

Among Masamichi's sons, two left descents that survive to the present day: the eldest son, Sukehiro, and the second son, Hanazono Kanenobu (Kanenobu entered Shin Buddhism, which allowed monks to be married and have children). Sukehiro had his first child when he was 13 y/o, the child was adopted by Sukehiro's father, Masamichi, and publicly acknowledged as Masamichi's youngest son. The boy was later adopted by Tokudaiji Sanekata and became known as Tokudaiji Kin‘ito. Sukehiro later fathered two more surviving sons, Sukemasa and Kikutei Yukisue. Sukemasa left no descendants. As for Yukisue's line, his grandson had only one daughter, and the male line did not continue beyond that generation. Sukehiro's third daughter later married her first cousin, Hanazono Sawaokoru, and Sukehiro's eighth daughter later married her uncle-in-law, Imperial Prince Sadanori of Fushimi XXI (previously Sadanori had married her aunt, Masamichi's ninth daughter). The headship of the Takatsukasa family was eventually inherited by Sukehiro's adopted son, Hiromichi, who was born to the Kujō Hisatada (brother of Emperor Meiji's foster mother). Hiromichi's great-grandson married Emperor Showa's third daughter. 

Kin‘ito had five surviving sons: Sanetsune, who succeeded him; Saionji Kinmochi, who would become the Prime Minister; Nakanoin Michitadashi; Suehiro Takemaro; and Sumitomo Tomoito, who was adopted by Japan's most historic merchant family, the Sumitomo family. Sanetsune had four sons: Kinhiro, who succeeded him; Takachiho Nobumaro, who was known for being involved in establishing the Hikosan Biological Laboratory; Norimaro; and Hinhiro. One point worth noting is that Sadanori, a great-grandson of Kimihiro and the uncle of the current family head, Sanehiro, married Michiko, a daughter of Prince Tsunenori of the Kaya II. The marriage ended in divorce in 1945, and the couple had no children.

Former Prime Minister Saionji Kinmochi had only daughters. Little reliable information is available regarding Suehiro Takemaro, while the grandson of Nakanoin Michinori left only daughters. As a result, among the five brothers, only the lines of Tokudaiji Sanenori and Sumitomo Tomoito continue.

Within the Sumitomo family, the current head descends from Tomoito's youngest son's eldest son. Tomoito's eldest son was disqualified from succession for personal reasons, resulting in the succession passing to a different branch of the family.

Kin‘ito had five surviving sons: Sanetsune, who succeeded him; Saionji Kinmochi, who later became Prime Minister; Nakanoin Michitadashi; Suehiro Takemaro; and Sumitomo Tomoito, who was adopted by Japan's most ancient historic merchant family, the Sumitomo family. Sanetsune had four sons: Kinhiro, who succeeded him; Takachiho Nobumaro, who is known for being involved in establishing the Hikosan Biological Laboratory; Norimaro; and Hinhiro. It is noteworthy that Sadanori, a great-grandson of Kimihiro and uncle of the current family head, Sanehiro, married Michiko, a daughter of Prince Tsunenori of the Kaya II. The marriage ended in divorce in 1945 and the couple had no children.

Prime Minister Saionji Kinmochi had only daughters. Little reliable information is available regarding Suehiro Takemaro, while the grandson of Nakanoin Michinori left only daughters. As a result, among the five brothers, only the lines of Tokudaiji Sanenori and Sumitomo Tomoito continue.

Within the Sumitomo family, the current head descends from Tomoito's youngest son's eldest son. Tomoito's eldest son was disqualified from succession for personal reasons, resulting in the succession passing to a different branch of the family. 

The majority of Hanazono Kanenobu's descendants either founded independent branches or were adopted into other families of the Buddhist clergy rather than remaining in the principal line. The leadership of Kōshō-ji Temple ultimately passed to his third son, Takushō, who succeeded his father as head of the temple. Takushō's eldest and youngest sons were adopted into two other temple families, while his fifth son was adopted into the Yukiatsu Baronial family, whose members traditionally served as chief priests of Nagano Shrine. As a result, the Kōshō-ji and its principal line were inherited by Takushō's second son, Majun. The current head priest of Kōshō-ji is Shinchō, a grandson of Shinjun. Shinchō has no sons, and the temple is expected to be succeeded by his daughter. The current head of the Yukitasu family is Kajino, grandson of Yukiyasu. He is known for his involvement in education and has held positions including Principal of Shitennōji Junior High School and Senior High School.

Sanekata's principal wife was Nobuko, a daughter of Daigo Teruhisa. Teruhisa was a male-line descendant of Ichijō Akiyoshi, the ninth son of Emperor Go-Yōzei, whose lineage will be discussed in Part 3. Sanekata and Nobuko had three children: two sons and one daughter. Their sons were Yotsuji Kinseki and Nakanoin Michitoyo.

Kinseki had four surviving sons; three succeeded to the Yotsuji family, and one entered the priesthood, returned to secular life, and was subsequently ennobled as Baron during the Meiji Restoration, who was Kitakawahara Kiminori. After Kinyasu succeeded his older brother, Kinyoshi (also his adoptive father), in the family, he was ennobled as a Count and changed the family name "Yotsuji" to "Muromachi". The family and noble title were then succeeded by his nephew, Kinmoto, Kinyoshi's first son. 

Kinyoshi had four sons. The eldest was Count Kinmoto, and the youngest, Tamishirō, was adopted into the Tōugi family, a distinguished lineage associated with the transmission of gagaku court music for over thirteen centuries.

According to the information currently available, among Kinyoshi's sons, only the branches of Kinyoshi and Tamishirō are known to survive as descendants to the present day. A noteworthy detail is that Tamishirō and his descendants continued the Tōugi family's long association with court music, with several members serving as conductors of the Imperial Household Agency's Music Department. 

Kinmoto had three sons, Kinfuji, Kintomo, and Saburo. Kintomo was adopted into the Baronial Family of Shinbatei and had only two daughters, and Kinfuji succeeded the Muromachi family and had three sons, Kinmasa, Kinkei, and Kinnori. The current Muromachi family line descends through Kinnori's youngest son, as his eldest son died without issue. Meanwhile, the second son was adopted into the Viscomital Family of Yamato. Based on the information presently available, the Yamamoto branch continues through one son and two grandsons. 

Kitakawahara Kiminori had three known sons. The current Kitakawahara family descends from the eldest son of his youngest son, Kimiumi. Kimiumi had two sons: Kimifumi and Suetaka. The current head of the Kitakawahara family is Kimihiro, the eldest son of Kimifumi. At present, Kimihiro is a Buddhist monk of the Kegon school and serves as its chief abbot. Following his grandfather and father, he became the 220th chief administrator of Tōdai-ji Temple. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Tōdai-ji Educational Foundation and previously held the position of sixth chief priest of the Japanese Temple at Bodh Gaya, India. Kimiumi‘s youngest son, Suetaka, was adopted into the Senshū family, an ancient lineage that has served as hereditary chief priests of Atsuta Shrine since early times.

Finally, it is worth mentioning Nakanoin Michitoyo. Although Michitoyo had two sons of his own, he ultimately chose Michitadashi, a son of Tokudaiji Kin'ito, as his heir and successor. Michitoyo's eldest son later established an independent branch of the family, but little information regarding his descendants is currently available. His youngest son was adopted into the Sumitomo family, however that line produced only two daughters and no male heirs.

Fix some minor errors in the Chinese version. For the PNG files, please go to my DeviantArt

The charts of this 2.0 project will be released gradually in July. Thanks to my friends listed on my charts, Humphrey and Viruherumu, who know about Japanese history, I also want to thank friends/members in this community: u/Ruy_Fernandez u/ferras_vansen u/Mac1692 u/PM_ME_UR_SEAHORSE u/Nessie1968 u/Brilliant_Group_6900 u/zerohijak u/M_F_Gervais u/I_LOVE_BOOKS_96

The charts of this 2.0 project will be released gradually in July. Thanks to my friends listed on my charts, Humphrey and Viruherumu, who know about Japanese history, I also want to thank friends/members in this community: u/Ruy_Fernandez u/ferras_vansen u/Mac1692 u/PM_ME_UR_SEAHORSE u/Nessie1968 u/Brilliant_Group_6900 u/zerohijak u/M_F_Gervais u/I_LOVE_BOOKS_96

丧礼作为五礼中的”凶礼“之一，《周礼·春官·大宗伯》记载：“以凶礼哀邦国之忧：以丧礼哀死亡...”，丧礼是哀悼死亡的礼仪，是凶礼中最核心的部分。

丧礼中的丧服制度，依据血缘亲疏分为斩衰、齐衰、大功、小功、缌麻五个等级，称为“五服”。

Funeral is one of the Five Rites of ancient Chinese, The mourning attire system in funeral rites is divided into five levels based on the closeness of blood relations (of course, for male-line relatives as the main): Zhan Cui, Qi Cui, Da Gong, Xiao Gong, and Si Ma, collectively known as the "Five Mourning Degree".

斩衰（p1）：丧期三年（实际27个月），最重的丧服。适用于子为父、未嫁之女为父、嫁后因故复从父居之女为父，嗣子为所嗣之父、承重孙为祖父，妻妾为夫，父为长子。明清时期，规定子（包括未嫁之女及嫁后复归之女）为母（包括嫡母、继母、生母）也服斩衰。

Zhan Cui (Unhemmed funeral hempen robes; p1), first degree: Three years period (27 months in actual), and the highest mourning clothes. This applies to sons and unmarried daughters to their fathers (including daughters who, after marriage, return to live with their fathers for various reasons); adopted sons/grandsons to adopted fathers/grandfathers; wives and concubines to husband; father s to their eldest son. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, it was stipulated that sons and daughters should also wear zhan cui to mourn their mothers (including step-mothers and father's primary wife)

齐衰（p2）：次于斩衰的第二等丧服，又分为四个等级：齐衰三年，齐衰杖期，齐衰不杖期，齐衰三月。

（1）齐衰三年：丧期三年（实际27个月），适用于在父已先卒的情况下，子及未嫁之女、嫁后复归之女为母，母为长子；

（2）齐衰杖期：适用于父尚在世的情况下，子、未嫁之女、已嫁复归之女为母，夫为妻；

（3）齐衰不杖期：适用于为祖父母、伯叔父母、兄弟、未嫁之姐妹、长子以外的众子以及兄弟之子；

（4）齐衰三月：适用于为曾祖父母，高祖父母。

Zi Cui (hemmed hempen cloth; p2): Second degree, divided into four grades:

First: three years period (27 months in actual), applies to sons, unmarried daughters and returned daughters to their mothers if their fathers already passed away; mothers to their eldest sons

Second: applies to sons, unmarried daughters and returned daughters to their mothers if their fathers are still living; husbands to their wives

Third: applies to grandparents; uncle & aunts: brothers and unmarried sisters: younger sons; nephews

Four: three months period, applies to great-grandparents and great-grandparents

大功（p3）：丧期9个月，次于齐衰一等。适用于为从父兄弟（伯叔父之子，即堂兄弟），已嫁姑母、姊妹、女儿，未嫁之从父姊妹（伯叔父之女，即堂姊妹）及孙女，嫡长孙之外的众孙（包括未嫁的孙女），嫡长子之妻。

Da Gong (coarse hempen cloth; p3): Third degree, 9 months period; applies to first cousin-brothers; married paternal aunts and first cousin-sisters

and their further descendants, married; unmarried first cousin-sisters; wives of younger sons; unmarried first cousin-sisters; maternal grandparents; maternal aunts; younger grandsons & unmarried granddaughters; eldest daughtes-in-law

小功（p4）：丧期5个月，次于大功一等。适用于为从祖父母（父亲的伯叔父母），堂伯叔父母（父亲的堂兄弟及其配偶），从祖兄弟（父亲的堂兄弟之子），已嫁之从父姊妹及孙女，长子外的诸子之妻，未嫁之从祖姑姊妹（父亲的伯叔父之女及孙女），外祖父母、从母（姨母）。

Xiao Gong (fine hempen cloth; p4): Fourth degree, 5 months period; applies to grandfather's brothers and their wives and their further descendants, married; father's unmarried first cousin sisters; wives of younger sons; unmarried first cousin-sisters; maternal grandparents; maternal aunts

缌麻（p5）：丧期3个月，最轻的丧服。适用于为族曾祖父母（祖父的伯叔父母）、族祖父母（祖父的堂兄弟及其配偶）、族父母（祖父的堂兄弟之子及其配偶）、族兄弟（祖父的堂兄弟之孙），从祖兄弟之子，曾孙、玄孙，已嫁之从祖姑姊妹，长孙之外的诸孙之妻，姑祖母，姑表兄弟，舅表兄弟，姨表兄弟，岳父母，舅父、女婿、外甥、外孙。

Si Ma (thin fine hempen cloth; p5): Fifth and the lowest degree of the mourning, 3 months period; applies to grandfather's uncles and their wives; grandfather's cousin-brothers, included their sons and further descendants; married cousin-sisters; wives of younger grandsons; grandaunts; maternal cousins; parents-in-law; sons-in-law; maternal nephews & nieces; maternal grandchildren

Early Ming's style of dragon robe uniform, in Putuo Village

For the chart file, please visit my DeviantArt (English and Chinese versions), and please support me on Patreon.

This is my first Song dynasty-related chart, which introduces five princely peerages of the dynasty.

The Song dynasty largely inherited the princely title creation system of the Tang dynasty. Most members of the imperial clan were granted princely titles, which were divided into three ranks: Imperial Prince/Prince of Blood (Wang; 王), Lineal Prince (Si Wang; 嗣王, lit. means "heir, succession"), and Commandery Prince/Prince of Commandery (Junwang; 郡王). These titles generally lapsed upon the holder’s death and were not hereditary. Only a few exceptions existed, notably the Prince of Anding Commandery (安定郡王)—who was responsible for the ancestral rites of Emperor Taizu—and the four Lineal Princes of Pu (嗣濮王; responsible for Emperor Yingzong's biological father), Xiu (嗣秀王; responsible for Emperor Xiaozong biological father), Rong (嗣荣王; responsible for Emperor Lizong biological father), and Yi (嗣沂王; responsible for Emperor Xiaozong's second son), whose titles were transmitted by collateral succession/agnatic seniority (i.e., from elder brother to younger brother).

Creation of non-imperial meritorious officials as princes was relatively rare, whereas the ennoblement of imperial affines was excessive. It was customary to posthumously confer princely titles upon the ancestors (up to three or five generations) of an empress or empress dowager, and their fathers, brothers, sons, and nephews often benefited from such imperial favor.

Lineal princely titles in the Song dynasty were not inherited by the eldest legitimate son. Instead, succession proceeded laterally within the same generation among the descendants of a designated progenitor, typically from elder to younger, until that generation was exhausted; only then would succession pass to the next generation. In the absence of a special imperial decree, princely titles were not hereditary. Even imperial sons were not granted hereditary succession unless no sons of the emperor remained alive. Princes of the blood generally began with lower noble titles such as Duke of State (Guogong; 国公) and were gradually promoted step by step to higher princely ranks, while princely titles themselves could be elevated from smaller to larger fiefs.

In the case of Lineal Princes, upon the death of a titleholder, the candidate for succession was reported to the emperor by the Imperial Clan Court (Zongzheng Si; 宗正寺), usually restricted within the five degrees of mourning kinship. The heads of the Court and its affiliated offices would select suitable candidates, subject to final imperial approval. As long as collateral agnates of the same generation remained alive, succession would not pass to direct descendants.

For members of the imperial clan in the Song dynasty, material benefits and privileges were primarily determined by official rank rather than by noble title. This differed from later periods, such as the Ming dynasty and Qing dynasty, where titles were more directly tied to emoluments. In the Song system, princely titles mainly signified status and were typically conferred in accordance with promotion in the military office ranking system.

For the chart file, please go to my DeviantArt (English version & Chinese version), and please support me on Patreon.

This is my first Song dynasty-related chart, which introduces five princely peerages of the dynasty.

The Song dynasty largely inherited the princely title creation system of the Tang dynasty. Most members of the imperial clan were granted princely titles, which were divided into three ranks: Imperial Prince/Prince of Blood (Wang; 王), Lineal Prince (Si Wang; 嗣王, lit. means "heir, succession"), and Commandery Prince/Prince of Commandery (Junwang; 郡王). These titles generally lapsed upon the holder’s death and were not hereditary. Only a few exceptions existed, notably the Prince of Anding Commandery (安定郡王)—who was responsible for the ancestral rites of Emperor Taizu—and the four Lineal Princes of Pu (嗣濮王; responsible for Emperor Yingzong's biological father), Xiu (嗣秀王; responsible for Emperor Xiaozong biological father), Rong (嗣荣王; responsible for Emperor Lizong biological father), and Yi (嗣沂王; responsible for Emperor Xiaozong's second son), whose titles were transmitted by collateral succession/agnatic seniority (i.e., from elder brother to younger brother).

Creation of non-imperial meritorious officials as princes was relatively rare, whereas the ennoblement of imperial affines was excessive. It was customary to posthumously confer princely titles upon the ancestors (up to three or five generations) of an empress or empress dowager, and their fathers, brothers, sons, and nephews often benefited from such imperial favor.

Lineal princely titles in the Song dynasty were not inherited by the eldest legitimate son. Instead, succession proceeded laterally within the same generation among the descendants of a designated progenitor, typically from elder to younger, until that generation was exhausted; only then would succession pass to the next generation. In the absence of a special imperial decree, princely titles were not hereditary. Even imperial sons were not granted hereditary succession unless no sons of the emperor remained alive. Princes of the blood generally began with lower noble titles such as Duke of State (Guogong; 国公) and were gradually promoted step by step to higher princely ranks, while princely titles themselves could be elevated from smaller to larger fiefs.

In the case of Lineal Princes, upon the death of a titleholder, the candidate for succession was reported to the emperor by the Imperial Clan Court (Zongzheng Si; 宗正寺), usually restricted within the five degrees of mourning kinship. The heads of the Court and its affiliated offices would select suitable candidates, subject to final imperial approval. As long as collateral agnates of the same generation remained alive, succession would not pass to direct descendants.

For members of the imperial clan in the Song dynasty, material benefits and privileges were primarily determined by official rank rather than by noble title. This differed from later periods, such as the Ming dynasty and Qing dynasty, where titles were more directly tied to emoluments. In the Song system, princely titles mainly signified status and were typically conferred in accordance with promotion in the military office ranking system.