THRONE CLAIMED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21923, 18 January 1946, Page 3

THRONE CLAIMED

EX-BUDDHIST PRIEST

DISPLACED DYNASTY

APPEAL TO MACARTHUR (10 a.m.) TOKYO, Jan. 17.

A former Buddhist priest, Hiromichi Kumazawa, has laid claim to the Japanese Throne.

The Baltimore Sun’s correspondent said that Kumazawa asked General MacArthur t.o place him on the Imperial Throne because he, and not Hirohito, is the real Emperor. Kuraazawa’s claim is accompanied by documents purporting to show that Hirohito’s ancestors displaced Kumazawa’s 554 years ago. The- correspondent said that many educated Japanese are aware of the existence of an alternate line of Royalty which was deposed from the Japanese Throne over five centuries ago, but in recent years the police have hounded the Pretender and prevented his story reaching the Japanese press. Kumazawa is at present living in a southern Japanese city. His address is being kept secret until arrangements for his safety can be made by General MacArthur's headquarters. Kumazawa claims he is the direct descendant of the Emperor Godaigo, who was driven from the Throne by a disaffected soldier named Ashikago Tkauji, who, in turn, placed one of Hirohito's ancestors in the ruling seat. The twin dynasties have existed ever since.