Crown Prince Osabe

Prince Osabe was a son of Emperor Kōnin and was recognized as the son of Princess Inoe, Emperor Shōmu's daughter. His birth year is disputed. In 771, after Kōnin's accession and Inoe's appointment as empress, Osabe became crown prince, the designated successor. His position connected the reigning emperor's Tenji descent with Inoe's place in Shōmu's family. [S01, S03]

In 772, an accusation of cursing Kōnin led to Inoe's deposition. Osabe lost the crown-prince position and royal status that year. A further allegation blamed Inoe for the death of Kōnin's sister in 773, and both mother and son were confined in Uchi, Yamato. Prince Yamabe became crown prince in 773 and would later reign as Emperor Kanmu. Osabe's removal changed the successor within the emperor's own household. [S01, S03]

Mother and son reportedly died on the same day in 775. A theory of poisoning connects their deaths with the struggle over the succession, but responsibility and means remain unproved. Four years later, a man in Suō claimed to be the surviving Osabe; the court treated the claim as disruptive and exiled him to Izu. Osabe also entered the later cult of aggrieved royal spirits. Goryō Shrine in Reianji, Gojō, commemorates him together with Inoe and Prince Sawara. [S01, S02]