The is the youngest of the four shinnōke, branches of the
Imperial Family of Japan which were eligible to succeed to the
Chrysanthemum Throne in the event that the main line should die
out. It was founded by Prince Naohito, the son of Emperor
Higashiyama. Fearing extinction of the Imperial Line, Arai
Hakuseki proposed that a new branch of the Imperial Family be
created. In 1718, retired emperor Reigen bestowed upon his
grandson the title of Kan'in-no-miya and land worth 1000 koku.
This was the first new miyake was formed since the Arisugawa-no-
miya lineage in 1625. Arai Hakusei's wisdom was soon proved with
the second Kan'in-no-miya, Sukehito shinnō. When Emperor Go-
Momozono died, he had only a single daughter. Sukehito's son was
chosen to become Emperor Kōkaku. The Kan'in House went extinct
upon the death of its 5th head, Prince Naruhito, in 1842, but
was revived by Emperor Meiji, who assigned the name to Prince
Kotohito, 16th son of Prince Fushimi Kunie (one of the other
shinnoke houses). The line went exti