Sayako Kuroda (Princess Sayako): Current Events

[Kasumi]

In September Mr Yoshiki Kuroda, husband of former Pss Nori-no-miya Sayako, has passed the Tokyo metropolitan government's managerial promotion examination for fiscal 2009
Article in After Hours Japan

[principessa]

Are there any news of Sayako, perhaps having a family or so?

[ChiaraC]

Originally Posted by principessa

Are there any news of Sayako, perhaps having a family or so?

Although she is a commoner by now (and the press is not supposed to cover her life´s daily events) I do not doubt that we´d know it if she had a child. And as she has turned 42 this year, I doubt that she will still have one in the future. Sometimes one could think that this is some sort of fashion (or curse or tradition or however you´d like to call it) in the imperial family to procreate but sparingly... Two brothers of the late Emperor Hirohito had no children of their own and the only brother of the present emperor is childless, too.
Maybe you´d like to have a look at this link. It is not new but I think is quite charming. In the third pic you see Mr and Mrs Kuroda (with Princess Kiko and little Hisahito in front).

[Grandduchess24]

Mrs sayako kuroda is the only daughter of emperor Akihito, she married a commoner and lost her title and status in the royal family and yet what position/status does she have for although now a commoner she is still the daughter of the emperor and could still visit her family? Does she still need to go through security to enter the palace .....???she is a commoner now by marriage but she is royal by blood.

[Kasumi]

Originally Posted by Grandduchess24

...and could still visit her family? Does she still need to go through security to enter the palace .....???she is a commoner now by marriage but she is royal by blood.

Definitely, Mrs Kuroda visits her family often. She does not take part at the photosessions, but accompanies Their Majesties (for example, at the concerts).
Mrs Kuroda has some privilegies, her elder brothers have not. She may hug and kiss her parents in front of all the stuff (the breaking of protocol which is not allowed for the members of Imperial family). It's good to be the only daughter!
Sayako-sama is very easy going and cheerful, always in good temper.

According to today's Mainichi Shimbun article, the Empress, the Princess Akishino and Mrs Kuroda are attending His Majesty at the hospital. Just like all families do.

I was lucky to watch Mrs Kuroda arriving to the Imperial palace last summer. She did not go through security, actually. Her car entered the gates without any slowdown.

[rominet09]

These pix on the little train are not new but so lovely to see again !

[Kasumi]

The picture of UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova and Mrs Sayako Kuroda was taken in 2009.
It proves that Mrs Kuroda is not being secluded after her marriage, she has her own happy life and takes part in charity projects in Japan.

**Pic** - Irina Bokova office

[Artemisia]

Emperor's daughter Kuroda becomes special priestess at Ise Shrine

Ise Shrine said Monday that Sayako Kuroda, the 43-year-old daughter of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, has assumed the post of special sacred priestess. Kuroda, who took the post on April 26, will assist 81-year-old Atsuko Ikeda, older sister of the emperor and the most sacred priestess at the shrine presiding over rituals. The imperial family has close ties with the shrine in Mie Prefecture, central Japan. It enshrines their ancestral gods.

[Al_bina]

Thanks for the update!
It is great that Mrs. Kuroda will continue the tradition by becoming the priestess.

[Artemisia]

You're welcome.
I agree, it's nice to see Sayako continuing the priestess tradition. On the other hand, it's really sad she no longer can perform official duties; Sayako was a great support for the Emperor and for many years work tirelessly on his behalf. I hope the new proposals go ahead and Japanese Princesses do not automatically lose all their rights (styles and titles included) upon marrying.

[ChiaraC]

Thanks for the info!

There is a Japan Times article that says that there is a special reason for the former princess supporting her aunt.

Kuroda will serve until the October 2014 end of a series of festivities for the Shikinen Sengu event, in which symbols of the gods are transferred to a new shrine building that is reconstructed every 20 years. Ikeda took up her post in 1988. The new post was created to help her due to her advanced age.

[ChiaraC]

Sayako Kuroda attended her first ceremony as new special priestess at the Ise Shrine, May 14, 2012.
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Sayako Kuroda and Shinto rites
Sayako Kuroda driving

[Artemisia]

Thank you very much for those pictures, ChiaraC!
The pictures from her first ceremony as priestess are lovely.
Sayako has changed quite a lot since I've last seen her pictures.

[ChiaraC]

Sayako Kuroda conducted a ritual at Ise Shrine, on occasion of the Niinamesai festival (November, 23), an important annual rite celebrated by the emperor in the eleventh month in which he makes an offering of the newly harvested rice to the kami of heaven and earth and partakes of the rice offering in communion with the kami. Originally a harvest festival, the holiday has become an occasion for people to honor labor and give thanks to one another.

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[rominet09]

Lovely to get some news about her, thanks !