Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko current events part 2

[puresnow]

Thank you all for the pictures and news.

[Mermaid1962]

Yes, that little prince is absolutely ADORABLE!

Originally Posted by puresnow

Thank you all for the pictures and news.

[kimebear]

Prince Akishino's birthday interview

Japan's Prince Akishino spoke about his love for his two-year-old son during a press conference to celebrate his 43rd birthday yesterday (30.11.08).

[Al_bina]

Prince Akishino releases wild ibises

... On Thursday morning, Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko were among the notables that freed the birds from wooden boxes at a ceremony held in the city of Sado, on a small island off of Japan's coast about 170 miles (275 kilometers) northwest of Tokyo. ...

News Summary Royalblog.nl: Prince Akishino releases wild ibises

[Tilla]

What nice words found Prince Akishino in the interview, very delicate.

[magnik]

After this article I want ask where is this rivalry or hate between brothers? It looks that both cprincely and princely families have good relationships about which we doesn't know.

[Al_bina]

As far as we know, there is no an open feud between Princes. At the same time, I doubt they have cloudless relationship. Let us not forget about the key concept of Japanese culture: preserving harmony and face.

[ChiaraC]

Here is another article on the birthday press conference giving a detail of it that shows that it is still not all harmony in the imperial family:

Japan News and Forum - Prince Akishino turns 43, expresses joy for his son's growth

"Prince Akishino also touched on a comment made earlier this year by Imperial Household Agency chief Shingo Haketa on the crown prince.
In late February, Haketa said Crown Prince Naruhito's visits to Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko had not increased despite the crown prince's previous comment that he would arrange more opportunities to meet them at the Imperial Palace. Emperor Akihito has displayed disappointment over having few opportunities to meet the crown prince's family.
''I understand what the agency chief intended to say was that he hopes that the crown prince respects what he had said before,'' Prince Akishino said. ''I believe we, including myself, have to keep in mind that the words we ourselves uttered must be cherished.'' "

IMO, by this sentence, prince Akishino seems to publicly admonish his brother to be true to his word – which includes his hinting at the fact that this is at all necessary which means that, in his opinion, Naruhito has not been as good as his word in the past.
Be that as it may, we also see in the fact that the younger brother is telling the elder what to do (which disagrees with Confucian rules, no matter what the elder brother may have done) that, in Akishino´s eyes, Naruhito has definitely lost his superior position as the elder since not he, but Akishino is the father of the heir.

[ChiaraC]

I am not quite sure about it as I do not speak Japanese but this seems to include parts of the latest press conference (I am sorry that it is appearing twice - I do not know how to mend it...):

[Al_bina]

Originally Posted by emma93

VIDEO CLIP

It has been a pleasure to see Princess Kiko. She looked amazing in a peach-coloured conservative outfit. Princess Kiko has got a amazing complexion. Being both extremely refined and well-groomed, Princess Kiko conveys an image of delicate lace to me.

[iceflower]

Prince Akishino and his wife Princess Kiko walk to their
seats to see a movie in Tokyo, 27 January 2009.

** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 **

[iceflower]

Japanese Prince Akishino, Emperor's second son and Bulgarian President
Georgi Parvanov, accompanied by their wives Princess Kiko and Zorka
Parvanova cut the ribbon during the opening of the Thracian civilization
exhibition, Bulgaria's ancient culture at a Tokyo hotel on January 29,
2009.Parvanov is here for a five-day visit.

** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 **

[Mermaid1962]

Why all the dark clothes? It looks like there's some kind of official mourning going on.

Originally Posted by iceflower

Japanese Prince Akishino, Emperor's second son and Bulgarian President
Georgi Parvanov, accompanied by their wives Princess Kiko and Zorka
Parvanova cut the ribbon during the opening of the Thracian civilization
exhibition, Bulgaria's ancient culture at a Tokyo hotel on January 29,
2009.Parvanov is here for a five-day visit.

** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 **

[Dina]

I really enjoy watching this branch of the family interacting with each other. And a little personal ethnic pride in the Bulgarian pictures just posted ...

[Dina]

Mermaid -- that is strange. I have no idea, as the exhibit was in Japan, as the Thracian treasures have been traveling the world ...

On a side note, Japan and Bulgaria have very good relations as many Japanese have been buying retirement homes in Bulgaria. Here are some links to articles in English about the visit:

Features - Japanese Prince to Open A Museum of Thracian Culture in Bulgaria - Standart

Bulgaria Japan's Prince Akishino Opens Thracian Treasures Exhibit in Tokyo: Japan's Prince Akishino, Bulgaria President Open Thracian Treasures Exhibit

This new museum that Japan is helping build is 10 miles away from my ancestral village.

[Al_bina]

The Japanese are known to make a lot of the fact that they have four distinct seasons. So it comes as no surprise that appreciation of seasons is instilled from an early age. The sensitivity toward seasonal changes tends to govern mundane details of everyday life such as food and clothing. Thus, dark colours may be viewed as appropriate during winter.

[Jacknch]

Originally Posted by Al_bina

The Japanese are known to make a lot of the fact that they have four distinct seasons. So it comes as no surprise that appreciation of seasons is instilled from an early age. The sensitivity toward seasonal changes tends to govern mundane details of everyday life such as food and clothing. Thus, dark colours may be viewed as appropriate during winter.

Isn't it true, Al_bina, that there are four different kimono colours used throughout the year to reflect the different seasons - yellows, greens, pinks and blues or something like that?!

[Mermaid1962]

I see. That's good to know; thank you, Albina.

Originally Posted by Al_bina

The Japanese are known to make a lot of the fact that they have four distinct seasons. So it comes as no surprise that appreciation of seasons is instilled from an early age. The sensitivity toward seasonal changes tends to govern mundane details of everyday life such as food and clothing. Thus, dark colours may be viewed as appropriate during winter.

[lucien]

Prince and Princess Akishino will officially visit The Netherlands from august 21st till the 26th,on occasion of 400 years trade relations between The Netherlands and Japan.

TRH Prince Constantijn and Princess Laurentien will accompany the couple to various functions.

[Al_bina]

You are quite right noting that women do have season -appropriate kimonos.

Whatever the occasion-the first shrine visit of the new year, stopping in to see an older person, or what have you--Japanese people always keep the season in mind when deciding which kimono to wear. Pale colors such as light green are appropriate for spring, while cool colors such as lavender or dark blue or are good for summer. Autumn calls for colors that imitate the hues of the turning leaves, and winter is the season for strong colors like black and red.[my bolding]

Reference:All About Kimono