Prince Kinashi no Karu

Prince Kinashi no Karu (木梨軽皇子, Kinashi no Karu no Miko, died circa 453) was a Japanese prince. He was a son of Emperor Ingyō.[1]

Prince Kinashi no Karu, Princess Karu no Ōiratsume, Prince Anaho (Emperor Ankō) and Prince Ōhatsuse Wakatake (Emperor Yūryaku) were born as children of Ingyō and Oshisaka no Ōnakatsuhime.[2] Prince Kinashi no Karu was the first son of his father.[3]

Prince Kinashi no Karu was elected as the crown prince, but was accused of his incestuous relationship with his sister, Princess Karu no Ōiratsume. But this was not his fault, as he had gone his entire life not knowing that this girl was his sister. One day when he proclaimed his love for her to his father, his father Ingyō forbode the relationship, claiming that he had slept with the girls' mother.[4]

After his father’s death, Anaho battled with Kinashi no Karu. Anaho was the new ruler after his father's passing and declared that Princess Karu no Ōiratsume be hanged for her actions and Kinashi no Karu be exiled. The crown prince was unhappy with this and attempted to prevent the hanging from taking place. He rallied a few of his most loyal followers who also did not agree with the princess's death to help save her. He successfully saved her and slaughtered the small garrison of men attending her hanging. But unfortunately, Anaho grabbed the princess and pressed his blade to her throat. Kinashi no Karu offered himself instead. Kinashi no Karu let Anaho defeat him in exchange for the life of Princess Karu no Ōiratsume. He then became Emperor Ankō.

According to Kojiki, Kinashi no Karu was sent into exile to Iyo Province and then committed suicide. But other sources claim that he committed suicide at the scene of Princess Karu no Ōiratsume's hanging under the orders of Anaho.

According to Nihon Shoki, Karu no Ōiratsume was sent into exile to Iyo Province during the reign of her father because of their incestuous relationship and Prince Kinashi no Karu committed suicide during the battle with Anaho.[5]