Princess Hisako Takamado and Family: News and Pictures

[iceflower]

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Today, June 20, Princess Hisako visited the Cathedral of St Theodore Ushakov:


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** Pic 4 ** profimedia gallery **


** dailymail: Japan's Princess Takamado says 'great honour' to be in Russia **

 

[Prisma]

news.tbs.co.jp video

https://twitter.com/x/status/1009554019625283586

 

[iceflower]

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Princess Hisako visited the Kul Sharif (Qol Sharif) Mosque in Kazan today, June 21, and took some photos herself! ?


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** profimedia gallery **

 

[eya]

Princess Takamado attends at a Russian-Japanese seminar on Kyudo, a traditional Japanese martial art of archery, at Yekaterinburg's DIVS Palace of Sports on 23 June

Belga Image

 

[Ista]

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Princess Hisako visited the Kul Sharif (Qol Sharif) Mosque in Kazan today, June 21, and took some photos herself! ?


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** profimedia gallery **

I love that second photo of Princess Hisako--she has the best smile!

 

[Prisma]

Princess Hisako spoke to Kyodo News on June 24th. She's happy to support Team Japan, promote Kyudo, and encourage international exchange. [chunichi.co.jp]

http://www.chunichi.co.jp/s/worldcup/russia2018/flash/images/2018062401001586.jpg

https://twitter.com/x/status/1010871424376926208

https://twitter.com/x/status/1010173440668655616

She wore a mauve kimono at an event in Yekaterinburg to avoid Russia and Japan's national flag colors.
Photos: jp.sputniknews.com

TASS: Society & Culture - Japan's Princess visits Yeltsin Center in Yekaterinburg

Princess Hisako Takamado of Japan, who arrived in the Urals city of Yekaterinburg late on Friday, has visited the museum of the Yeltsin Center, the center’s press service said on Sunday.

"Princess Hisako Takamado of Japan along with a representative delegation from Japan visited the Yeltsin Center in Yekaterinburg. Among those who accompanied the Princess were Japanese Ambassador to Russia H.E. Toyohisa Kozuki with his wife, diplomats from the Japanese embassy and representatives of Japan’s football elite," the press service said.

[...]

On Saturday, Princess Takamado visited the Church on Blood in Yekaterinburg, built on the site where Russia’s last tsar Nicholas II and his family were shot in 1918. She later attended a kyudo (Japanese martial art of archery) event in a sports facility in the Urals city. On Sunday, the Princess will attend a match between Japan and Senegal at the Yekaterinburg Arena.

[...]

TASS: Society & Culture - Japan's Princess thanks Russia for organizing 2018 FIFA World Cup

[...] "I would like to express gratitude to the Russian side for a well-organized World Cup," the Princess said, noting that she visited Russia for the first time and found out a lot about the country’s history.

"I had a chance to visit three places: Saransk, Kazan and Yekaterinburg. Each city has its own culture and history, and I had a chance to study this. Moscow and St. Petersburg are well-known for Japanese, but these three cities which I visited are not very famous for most people. This time many Japanese and people from all over the world learned about different Russian cities," she said.

[...]

Another video of the museum visit in Saransk:

Kyudo seminar:

ETA: video of Kazan

https://twitter.com/x/status/1009765126159912960

 

[Al_bina]

Princess Takamado's visit is going well. It is great that Princess Takamado attended a kyudo event, such relatively exotic martial art.

 

[Tatiana Maria]

When Princess Hisako travels to Russia for the World Cup in a few weeks, she'll be the first member of the Imperial family to visit since Prince Kan'in Kotohito (an Imperial cadet branch member) visited in 1916. [dailyshincho.jp]

Princess Hisako spoke to Kyodo News on June 24th. She's happy to support Team Japan, promote Kyudo, and encourage international exchange. [chunichi.co.jp]

http://www.chunichi.co.jp/s/worldcup/russia2018/flash/images/2018062401001586.jpg

https://twitter.com/x/status/1010871424376926208

https://twitter.com/x/status/1010173440668655616

She wore a mauve kimono at an event in Yekaterinburg to avoid Russia and Japan's national flag colors.
Photos: jp.sputniknews.com

TASS: Society & Culture - Japan's Princess visits Yeltsin Center in Yekaterinburg

TASS: Society & Culture - Japan's Princess thanks Russia for organizing 2018 FIFA World Cup

[...]

Beginning from 1998, Princess Takamado has been visiting all FIFA World Cups to encourage her team. Last time, a member of the Imperial Family visited Russia in 1916 as a representative of the allied power during World War I.

Japan sends imperial family member to Russia for 1st visit in century - The Mainichi

"Japan's imperial household has no political function, so there is no need to move in step with the Western countries that boycotted (the World Cup opening ceremony in Moscow)," a senior official of the Imperial Household Agency said.

Thank you for the news and photos, Prisma and iceflower!

Is it the imperial family's normal practice to avoid wearing the national flag colors of both countries, or is that reserved for particularly delicate visits?

Seeing how the relations between Russia and Japan remain strained over territorial disputes and other political issues, as pointed out in the Reuters article that Prisma shared, I wondered why the imperial family chose this year to visit Russia for the first time in 102 years, but now I see that it would be an exceptional event and invite accusations of politics if Princess Hisako did not attend a FIFA World Cup. I suppose not meeting government officials and centering her activities on Russian history and cultural exchange is a good compromise.

 

[Prisma]

I don't know if it's the normal practice although diplomatic dressing is a good idea for any visit/event, regardless of the political climate. Russia and Japan share red and white. Japan's football team uniform is blue. Probably safer, easier to avoid those colors for certain events. Obviously Princess Hisako will be rooting for Japan.

Wasn't there a time when the Dutch royal family had to clarify that Maxima would be cheering for the Netherlands rather than Argentina at some sports competition? (World Cup? Olympics?)

It appears the event where Princess Hisako wore the mauve kimono is related to Russia's support after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. I zoomed in on the guy’s banner which reads: JAPAN thanks everyone for support "спасибо, россия," I believe in the power of Japan, and MARCH onward from the Tsunami

https://twitter.com/x/status/1010806339793309697

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DgcbADKXUAAiiU1.jpg:large

ETA: Just remembered Empress Michiko and CP Masako's outfits combined to resemble Orange-Nassau colors at the Luxembourg state visit welcoming ceremony. For the Dutch state visit welcome, Empress Michiko wore orange/blue and CP Masako wore orange. They didn't wear Spain or Belgium flag colors for the Spanish or Belgian state visits.

 

[Prisma]

Princess Hisako returned to Japan on June 26th and visited the Imperial Palace to worship at the palace's sanctuaries.

Photos: Sankei, NHK

 

[Prisma]

On June 5th, Princess Hisako and Princess Ayako attended Ikebana International Tokyo Branch's June luncheon at the Palace Hotel Tokyo.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1713916395357169&set=pcb.1713916452023830&type=3&theater

[...]

More photos at

https://www.facebook.com/ikebanatokyo/posts/222410198351461

Paris Match's coverage of Princess Hisako's visit to Russia: Une princesse japonaise en Russie pour la Coupe du Monde

 

[Prisma]

On June 11th, Princess Hisako received Gabriel Duque y Su, Ambassador of Colombia at her residence. He gave her Colombian roses, a team jersey, and wishes of fair play and success at the FIFA World Cup.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bj4E_rVH5g2/

On July 9th, Princess Hisako attended the Japan Bowl welcome reception. She also met the winners at her residence.
Photos:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlA-PvThZsJ/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/370933113391303/permalink/407279376423343/

American and Canadian Japan Bowl® Winners to Visit Japan through Kakehashi Project – The Japan-America Society of Washington, Inc.

The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has once again invited the top student winners of the Japan Bowl to visit Japan. The Ministry’s Kakehashi Project, which is an initiative meant to encourage young people to interact and build bridges with Japan, invited over 40 students to attend the 2018 trip. In all, 52 participants – including chaperones and students from the Ontario Japan Bowl and Metro Vancouver Japan Bowl in Canada – will travel to Japan from July 3-11.

Because of this year’s large number of students, the trip will be divided into two groups. Each group will visit a different part of the country – one will head to Sendai in Miyagi prefecture, and the other to Nagasaki – to experience homestays, interact with Japanese students at local schools, and attend cultural workshops. Both groups will then convene in Tokyo, where they will visit Honda Motor Co., Ltd., attend a program sponsored by the Japan Bowl Supporters Group (JBSG), and explore famous sites in the city. In addition, they will meet with senior government officials as well as Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado. [...]

On July 11th, Princess Hisako attended the 32nd Advanced Technology award ceremony and reception at Meiji Memorial Hall in Tokyo. Her speech included condolences to victims of Japan's heavy rain damage.

Photos: Sankei, Sankeibiz 1, Sankeibiz 2, Sankei Imperial Weekly #547 (photos 10-14)


Bit of old news: On January 16th, Princess Hisako attended the Fifth Internal Symposium on Arctic Research (ISAR-5) at National Center of Sciences in Chiyoda, Tokyo.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeA-W5JHK8k/
https://www.jcar.org/isar-5/image/20180116.JPG

ISAR-5 / Fifth International Symposium on Arctic Research / 第5回国際北極研究シンポジウム

 

[Prisma]

On July 14th, Princess Hisako visited "Monet's Legacy" exhibition at the Yokohama Museum of Art.

Photo:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1018129961322872834

 

[Prisma]

On July 6th, Princess Hisako attended the launch of Australia now's UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLES / UNIQUE PROJECTS Architecture exhibition.

Photo:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1019492030647586816

UNIVERSAL PRINCIPLES / UNIQUE PROJECTS: Architecture Re-Setting the Agenda | Australia now 2018

 

[Prisma]

Princess Hisako visited Fukui Prefecture July 24-25 for the 130th anniversary ceremony of the Japan Red Cross Fukui Prefecture branch. She also visited the Red Cross Hospital in Fukui city, children's science museum in Sakai city, and "Dinosaur Square" at JR Fukui Station.

Photos: Chunichi 1, Chunichi 2, fukui-tv.co.jp

http://www.chunichi.co.jp/kenmin-fukui/article/kenmin-news/images/PK2018072602100125_size0.jpg
http://fki.ismcdn.jp/mwimgs/9/0/-/img_905151e2f14b8e40d86cd5bce41a4899368950.jpg
http://fki.ismcdn.jp/mwimgs/7/1/-/img_71e1120b07a0c391915b7502c4390789174208.jpg

ETA: photos from Sankei Imperial Weekly #549

https://www.sankei.com/images/news/180727/prm1807270007-p29.jpg
https://www.sankei.com/images/news/180727/prm1807270007-p33.jpg
https://www.sankei.com/images/news/180727/prm1807270007-p34.jpg

 

[Prisma]

Back on June 29th, Princess Hisako attended a Urasenke Tea Ceremony honoring the 9th anniversary of the Ume Tree she planted at the Embassy of Afghanistan in Tokyo.

Photos: The Embassy of Afghanistan in Tokyo - Embassy

On July 21st, Princess Hisako attended the first America Bowl Competition, sponsored by the Japan America Association and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Minato, Tokyo. 270 students from 68 high schools participated where they were quizzed in English on the history and culture of the United States. Japanese studying in the U.S. is on a downward trend; this quiz competition is aimed at nurturing Japan-US relations and was inspired by the “Japan Bowl” for foreign students learning Japanese. [Mainichi]

Facebook photo

On July 28th, Princess Hisako attended the reopening ceremony of J-Village, a national football training center, in Futaba, Fukushima. The facility was closed following the 2011 earthquake and became a response base for the TEPCO Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident.
Source: jfa.jp

Then, Princess Hisako traveled to Kyoto for the 3rd All Japan Junior High School Women's Rubber Baseball Tournament from July 28-29.
In this photo set:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1023721981726797825

On July 31st, Princess Hisako attended the 35th Sankei International Calligraphy award ceremony held at Meiji Memorial Hall in Minato, Tokyo. The exhibition will be at Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in Taito, Tokyo until March 3.

Photo: Sankei

 

[Prisma]

More from Sankei Imperial Weekly #550: Princess Hisako visited the 35th Sankei International Calligraphy Exhibition on July 27 and attended the award ceremony on the 31st.

http://www.sankei.com/images/news/180803/lif1808030002-p2.jpg
http://www.sankei.com/images/news/180803/lif1808030002-p5.jpg
http://www.sankei.com/images/news/180803/lif1808030002-p6.jpg
http://www.sankei.com/images/news/180803/lif1808030002-p7.jpg
http://www.sankei.com/images/news/180803/lif1808030002-p15.jpg
http://www.sankei.com/images/news/180803/lif1808030002-p16.jpg

More photos/info at Sankei International Calligraphy Awards | JAPAN Forward

[...] The event’s preeminent prize, the Prince Takamodo Award, was bestowed on Japanese calligrapher Kohshin Sakamoto. The award was created to commemorate the late Prince Takamado, the husband of Princess Hisako who personally presented the certificate of commendation to Ms. Sakamoto.

During the ceremony, Princess Hisako commented on Ms. Sakamoto’s work, describing it as “graceful with profound lyricism.” The Princess also praised the 77-year-old female calligrapher as having made “a remarkable contribution to international exchanges by having her works exhibited in calligraphy fairs in such places as China and Taiwan.”

Mr. Seisen Iwama, 75, was chosen as the laureate for the Prime Minister’s Award. [...]

Princess Hisako at the reopening ceremony of J-Village, a national football training center, in Futaba, Fukushima on July 28:
http://www.sankei.com/images/news/180803/lif1808030002-p8.jpg

From August 2-3rd, Princess Hisako attended the 49th National Mom's Volleyball Tournament in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture. She is honorary president. Photos and a fun video of her dancing with pom poms on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/mamataikai/posts/1693927467382468

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1695045860603962

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=466265560505890

 

[Prisma]

On August 4th, Princess Tsuguko attended the Interhigh Sports Festival's archery competition held at Takayama, Gifu Prefecture.

Photos from Mayor Michihiro Kunishima of Takayama's blog

https://img01.hida-ch.com/usr/k/u/n/kunishima/1533391804828.jpg
https://img01.hida-ch.com/usr/k/u/n/kunishima/1533391776320.jpg
https://img01.hida-ch.com/usr/k/u/n/kunishima/DSC_0585864505.jpg

 

[Prisma]

On August 6th, Princess Hisako attended the opening ceremony of the 53rd National Private Junior College Athletic Conference at Komazawa Olympic Park Stadium Gymnasium in Tokyo.

Photos:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1027072799590952961

Wonderful hat!

 

[iceflower]

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Today, August 10, Princess Hisako attended the playoff round match between Japan and Puerto Rico on day nine of the WBSC Women's Softball World Championships in Chiba:


** gettyimages gallery **

 

[Prisma]

On August 14th, Princess Hisako attended the 32nd National Boys and Girls Grass Football Tournament held in Shizuoka Prefecture.

Photo:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1029208347621306368

 

[Prisma]

On July 4th, Princess Tsuguko was invited to speak at the "Health Inequality - Think from a global perspective" special lecture at Tokai University. As a member of Japan UNICEF Association's school division, she covered the current state of countries and regions that have serious malnutrition, presented on support programs and results, and discussed sanitary measures.

Tsuguko also spoke about how sports has become an effective means to alleviate conflicts in regions with a strong caste system. In East Timor, martial artist and film star Jackie Chan was invited to demonstrate martial arts, not for killing people but for unity and peace; football clubs in Nepal have reduced caste discrimination.

Photos: www.u-tokai.ac.jp

This made my day. Always thrilled to find news about lesser known Imperial members.

 

[LadyFinn]

On 12th May - 16th September at Vadstena Castle in Sweden is an exhibition "Fåglarna på slottet - Prinsessans bästa bilder", Naturfoton av HKH prinsessan Takamado, Japan
(Birds at the Castle - The Princess's best photos, Nature photos of HRH Princess Takamado, Japan)
Utställningar – Vadstena Slott

From Vadstena Castle's Facebook
https://scontent-arn2-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=ef2dd12bdb2f7fd8697ff28b9eac7f36&oe=5BFC94DD

 

[Prisma]

From August 18-19th, Princess Hisako visited Kochi Prefecture for the 46th National Amateur Orchestra Festival held at the Kochi City Culture Plaza (Cul-pot).

Photo from the reception at The Crown Palais New Hankyu Kochi hotel on the 18th: kochinews.co.jp

https://www.kochinews.co.jp/image/article/650x488/208/afc5f7009b8b71b5d1ddb3e892b0bb14.jpg

 

[Prisma]

On August 24th, the Japan Sea Cadet Federation announced Princesses Hisako and Ayako will visit Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture on September 2nd for the Hachinohe Sea Cadet's training. They will board the coast guard patrol ship for the training session and visit Hachinohe Seagull View Hotel to see more of the group's handiwork.

This is Princess Ayako's first training visit since becoming honorary president of Japan Sea Cadet Federation in February.

Source: headlines.yahoo.co.jp

 

[Prisma]

Princess Tsuguko will travel to East Timor September 10-14 for the opening of an elementary school built with funds raised by Japan UNICEF Association.

Sources: Sankei, Asahi, Jiji

 

[Prisma]

On August 23th, Princess Hisako attended the opening ceremony of the Japan DIY Homecenter Show 2018 held at Makuhari Messe Hall in Chiba, Chiba Prefecture. At a metalworks booth, she tried making earpick for 10 minutes. The craftsmen gifted her 2 earpicks; one’s for Princess Ayako. Princess Hisako also met the director and president of Sanjo Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who was very much honored and appreciative of the princess’ visit.

Photos: Community Paper Palge
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm0jdTDHy27

On August 26th, Princess Hisako attended the 34th Prince Takamado Cup Nippon Budokan Calligraphy Exhibition award ceremony.

Photos: Inasaki Calligraphy's 2018 blog post, a participant's blog

https://twitter.com/x/status/1033598127406600192

ETA: Photos from previous years...
2017 Inasaki Calligraphy's blog post
2016 Shuhoushodoukai's blog
2015 Inasaki Calligraphy's blog post

 

[Prisma]

[...] Princesses Hisako and Ayako will visit Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture on September 2nd for the Hachinohe Sea Cadet's training. They will board the coast guard patrol ship for the training session and visit Hachinohe Seagull View Hotel to see more of the group's handiwork.

This is Princess Ayako's first training visit since becoming honorary president of Japan Sea Cadet Federation in February.

Source: headlines.yahoo.co.jp

^ Sankei gallery, Getty Images

The accompanying article mentions Princess Ayako's last public service will be the 73rd National Sports Festival in Fukui Prefecture in October.

 

[iceflower]

Here are some more photos of lovely Princesses Hisako and Ayako today:


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** Pic 4 ** Pic 5 ** Pic 6 **

 

[Prisma]

Thanks iceflower!

A few more photos and videos:
https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2018/09/03/20180903k0000m040057000p/9.jpg
https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2018/09/03/20180903k0000m040058000p/9.jpg
https://www.asahicom.jp/articles/images/AS20180902002433_comm.jpg
https://www.asahicom.jp/articles/images/AS20180902001598_comm.jpg

https://www.facebook.com/takashi.kamata/posts/1654475188011834