Prince Kusakabe

Prince Kusakabe (662–689) was the son of Emperor Tenmu and Empress Jitō and crown prince from 681. When Tenmu fell ill in 686 he and the empress were entrusted with the government; after the emperor's death Kusakabe led the funeral rites but was never enthroned.

He married Princess Abe, later Empress Genmei; their children included Emperor Monmu and Empress Genshō. He died suddenly in 689 aged 28, before his coronation, and was posthumously honoured as Emperor Okanomiyagyou. The throne passed instead to his mother Jitō, who held it for his young heirs.