Prince Ōtsu

Prince Ōtsu
Born663
Tsukushi Province, Japan
DiedOctober 25, 686(686-10-25) (aged 22–23)
Asuka, Japan
SpousePrincess Yamanobe
IssuePrince Awazuou (粟津王)
FatherEmperor Tenmu
MotherŌta

Prince Ōtsu (大津皇子, Ōtsu-Ōji; 663–686) was a Japanese poet and the son of Emperor Tenmu.

Viewed as the emperor's likely heir, Imperial Prince Ōtsu began attending to matters of state in 683, but was demoted in 685 when the court rank system was revised. Soon after Emperor Tenmu's death, Ōtsu was accused of conspiracy and was swiftly executed in 686. The last days of his life are described in the Nihon Shoki and Man'yōshū; his personality emerges through poetry anthologies including the Kaifūsō.