The Mikasa Family Thread


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Princess Akiko visited Hokkaido Prefecture December 6-8 for the SIA demonstrator training camp, ski instructor certification meeting for people with disabilities at Kiroro Resort.

Photo:
https://www.facebook.com/sia.japan.official/posts/4649931288455604

On December 11th, Princess Akiko and her cultural organization Shinyusha hosted an online session about Japanese mythology, the last session of the year. The next online session will be on January 8 about calligraphy.

Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/shinyusha/posts/4586300061484803
 
On November 14th, Princess Akiko attended the 36th Children's Song Grand Prix Competition at EX Theater Ropponji. There were about 3,800 applications; 21 groups and 43 people participated in the first and second screenings. BS Asahi will broadcast the competition on December 26.

Photos: https://www.douyou-contest.com/lastyear/, https://www.bs-asahi.co.jp/doyo36/

akiko_36douyou.jpg
akiko_36douyou2.jpg

On December 10th, Princess Akiko and her cultural organization Shinyusha dedicated this year's rice to Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Kyoto. She could not participate in rice farming this year and is grateful to the people of Niigata who planted, weeded, and harvested the rice.

Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/shinyusha/posts/4605188702929272
 
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Kyoto Sangyo University Faculty of Culture offers "Kyoto Culture Field Exercise" where various field trainings are conducted in Kyoto such as management and participation in traditional events and religious events, on-site training at craftsmen’s workshops and local industries, and field surveys at shrines, temples, and archaeological sites.

Princess Akiko's class learned about color through dyeing, weaving, and embroidery. They visited Professor Toshiaki Nagakusa for Japanese embroidery on October 29 and Sarasa Yoshioka, a dyer, on November 2. The students got hands-on experience after receiving explanations of the history and techniques.

Photos: https://www.kyoto-su.ac.jp/news/2021_fcsi/20211209_190_kyoto_fw_h.html

On December 13th, Princess Akiko gave a special class under the theme "Thinking about Japanese Culture - Reiwa to Manabu" for the Archival Research Center at Kyoto City University of Arts. Her keynote lecture discussed waka poetry in Japanese culture. She is a visiting professor of the university.

Photos: https://www.kcua.ac.jp/20211213-sp/
 
On December 26th, Princess Nobuko attended the Reiwa 3 (2021) All Japan Judo Championship at the Kōdōkan Judo Institute in Tokyo.

Spotted her in the background, left side:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1474910440954417152

According to Asahi Imperial schedule 12/20-26:
- Princess Akiko met the Vice Chairman of Japan Rugby Football Union at the Mikasa East residence on December 24
- Princess Nobuko visited Osaka Prefecture December 26-27 for the Japan 3B Gymnastics Association 50th Anniversary National Convention Osaka Castle Hall
 
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Prisma said:
On November 14th, Princess Akiko attended the 36th Children's Song Grand Prix Competition at EX Theater Ropponji. There were about 3,800 applications; 21 groups and 43 people participated in the first and second screenings. BS Asahi will broadcast the competition on December 26.

Photos: https://www.douyou-contest.com/lastyear/, https://www.bs-asahi.co.jp/doyo36/

View attachment 302825
View attachment 302826
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Interesting. From the screenshots and description, isn't this event a bit more "entertainment" (for lack of a better term) than the norm for the imperial family's public appearances?
 
It was probably one of Prince Tomohito's broad range of activities. The event also includes his name 寬仁親王

On January 9th, Princess Akiko attended the 58th All Japan University Rugby Football Championship Final at the National Stadium in Shinjuku, Tokyo. She's also pictured with Ren-G (Ren and G), mascots of Japan Rugby Football Union.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1480134937663918088
https://twitter.com/x/status/1480126036365185029
https://www.instagram.com/p/CYgUoCbJJCW/

Princess Nobuko visited Nara Prefecture January 1-2 to attend Empress Genmei's 1300th memorial ceremony.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1477454841874386951
 
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Princess Nobuko will be admitted to Keio University hospital for a full body checkup, including follow-up on her 2019 lumbar fracture, on January 31. The length of stay is undecided. There is no problem with her physical condition. Last year, she had a 2-day checkup at the same hospital in June.

Sources: Jiji, Sankei
 
Princess Yohko has Covid-19 and has been admitted to the IHA hospital. So far, her only symptom is a sore throat. She complained of a sore throat on February 7 and took a PCR test at home the next day. The route of infection is unknown.

January 30 was her last activity, where she and Imperial family members attended Emperor Komei's memorial anniversary ceremony at the Palace Sanctuaries.

Princess hospitalized in 1st COVID case for Japan imperial family - Kyodo News
The Japanese imperial family confirmed its first case of coronavirus infection Tuesday, with a 38-year-old princess [Yohko] hospitalized.

[...]

Her sister, Princess Akiko, 40, will also be tested. The two met several days ago, the agency said.

Princess Yoko has not attended any gathering involving food and drinks recently, and the infection route remains unknown, the agency added. But she was one of the participants in a ceremony to commemorate a late emperor [Komei] at the palace on Jan. 30.

No infection has been confirmed among her staff, and none of them has reported feeling sick, according to the agency. [...]
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Wishing Princess Yohko a speedy recovery. Besides her sister Akiko (who splits time between Tokyo and Kyoto) and the staff at Mikasa East residence, I don't think others should be at risk. Grandmother Yuriko and mother Nobuko live separately. The court ritual on January 30 was in semi-open structures in the courtyard and participants were distanced. Emperor Naruhito and Crown Prince Akishino worship inside the shrines above.

ETA: She was hospitalized before 7:30pm on February 8 per NHK

Princess Akiko returned to Tokyo from Kyoto a few days ago and is expected to undergo a PCR test after February 9 according to Yomiuri. TBS/JNN reports the IHA staff will also be tested.

ETA: On February 9th, Princess Yohko was transferred to the University of Tokyo Hospital before 2:30pm for moderate Covid-19 symptoms: pneumonia, cough. No fever.

Her sister Princess Akiko took a PCR test in the morning and is negative for Covid-19.

Source: Kyodo JPN, NHK
 
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Prisma said:
Wishing Princess Yohko a speedy recovery. Besides her sister Akiko (who splits time between Tokyo and Kyoto) and the staff at Mikasa East residence, I don't think others should be at risk. Grandmother Yuriko and mother Nobuko live separately.
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Do you know when the sisters established their own separate residence?
 
Mikasa East residence is their family home (formerly named Prince Tomohito residence). It was renamed after Prince Tomohito's death and his household merged with main Mikasa branch.

Princess Yuriko lives in the Mikasa residence next door. Princess Nobuko has lived in rooms in an IHA building since October 2009.
 
After testing staff around Princess Yohko, the IHA on February 10 reported 1 employee has Covid-19. The person had a fever of 37 C on February 9 and was being treated at home, now has no symptoms and will move to hotel treatment. The employee was privately hired by the Mikasa family for housework.

The staff take measures against infection and work at a sufficient distance from the princess. The infection route is unknown.

Princess Yohko's current symptoms are sore throat, fever of 37 C or higher, and moderate pneumonia.

Sources: TBS, Yomiuri
 
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See Prisma's post above; she was admitted to hospital when her only symptom was a sore throat and transferred hospitals after developing pneumonia.
 
On January 28th, Princess Nobuko attended "Age is a treasure concert presented by Ooba Teruko" at Meguro Persimmon Hall in Tokyo. She also visited a booth selling products from Kumamoto Prefecture for disaster relief activities.

The event on the venue's website directs inquiries to NPO Japan Children's Song.

Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/TokyoKumamotoKenjinkai/posts/5135408579842899
https://www.facebook.com/onoseyasuhiro/posts/4835975203148467
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=2125262027640255&id=286961748136968
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=5013681148653874&id=740747092613989

Probably a rare occasion for an Imperial family member to use money. Photos do not capture the moment of exchange but Princess Nobuko has her wallet open and a woman bowing with the cash.

On February 4th, Princess Nobuko was discharged from Keio University Hospital. No particular anomalies were found at this time. She was hospitalized since January 31 for a full body checkup including the lumbar fracture she suffered in 2019.

Source: Jiji

On February 5th, Princess Akiko and her cultural organization Shinyusha held the last online session of a 3-part Japanese Mythology series. The panel included priests from Mankusen Jinja and Shoganji Temple.

Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/shinyusha/posts/4792851374163003
 
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On February 16th, Princess Yohko was discharged from the University of Tokyo Hospital around 9:30am. Her condition is stable; symptoms of pneumonia, sore throat, and coughing have subsided. She will continue recovering at home.

Mikasa East residence staff around Princess Yohko were tested following her Covid-19 infection. 1 employee tested positive and is still being treated at a hotel.

Sources: NTV/NNN, NHK, Sankei

ETA: Princess Yohko recovers from COVID-19, leaves hospital | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News
[...] The Imperial Household Agency says the princess was diagnosed with moderate COVID-19. It says her symptoms improved with treatment, and that she was discharged with her doctors' approval.

The agency says she returned directly from the hospital to her residence in the Imperial family's Akasaka Estate in Tokyo and will recuperate there for the time being.
Click to expand...
 
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On March 1st, the IHA announced Princess Akiko was appointed Honorary Patron of Japan-British Society, succeeding her father Prince Tomohito who died in 2012. She attended events on his behalf when he was ill and since his death, including giving lectures for the society. In addition, Princess Akiko studied and earned a Phil.D from University of Oxford. The society requested her appointment.

Previous honorary patrons of Japan-British Society:
- Prince Tomohito, October 1984 - June 2012
- Prince and Princess Chichibu
- Prince Fushimi Sadanaru

Sources: Sankei, Jiji, Yomiuri

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan–British_Society
 
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Congratulations to the princess. I respect the fact that although honorary, the patronage was earned through a decade or longer of dedicated efforts.

I wonder if the new prestigious patronage indicates she plans to remain in the imperial family for the foreseeable future.


Prisma said:
Probably a rare occasion for an Imperial family member to use money. Photos do not capture the moment of exchange but Princess Nobuko has her wallet open and a woman bowing with the cash.
Click to expand...

Interesting! Hopefully she will be criticized for it.
 
The Japan-British Society updated their website about Princess Akiko becoming their honorary patron.
News: https://www.japanbritishsociety.or.jp/en/news/彬子女王殿下の名誉総裁御就任について
About: https://www.japanbritishsociety.or.jp/en/about/

On February 27th, Princess Akiko and her cultural organization Shinyusha held an online Chirashizushi cooking class with owner and head chef Masato Miyazawa of Godan Miyazawa, a Kaiseki restaurant in Kyoto.

Participants were asked to prepare ingredients such as mushrooms, egg, and rice beforehand. This is the last cooking class for 2022. Next year's cooking series will be about osechi cooking.

Shinyusha aprons, as worn by Princess Akiko and Chef Miyazawa, will be released in April and are made by Ichizawa Hanpu.

Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/shinyusha/posts/4861163923998414


Princess Nobuko will be honorary patron of "Tokyo Flower Carpet 2022" which opens on March 19.
Source:
https://www.facebook.com/tokyoflowercarpet/posts/110463121574477
 
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Prisma said:
The Japan-British Society updated their website about Princess Akiko becoming their honorary patron.
News: https://www.japanbritishsociety.or.jp/en/news/彬子女王殿下の名誉総裁御就任について
About: https://www.japanbritishsociety.or.jp/en/about/
Click to expand...

It's interesting how the society's description of itself discusses its prestigious government and corporate sponsorships and its role in welcoming prominent dignitaries, but then also writes that it includes members from all walks of life and expressly emphasizes its active part in bringing together the general population of the two countries through informal events and networks.

So it seems to be a very good fit for Akiko, who has devoted herself through her foundation to making erudite and sometimes arcane cultural teachings accessible to the general public, even children.


Tatiana Maria said:
Prisma said:
Probably a rare occasion for an Imperial family member to use money. Photos do not capture the moment of exchange but Princess Nobuko has her wallet open and a woman bowing with the cash.
Click to expand...

Interesting! Hopefully she will be criticized for it.
Click to expand...

Hopefully she will not be criticized for it, I meant. Although if she were to be criticized it could be interpreted as a hopeful sign of people finally taking notice of the Mikasas and their work events ...
 
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On March 19th, Princess Nobuko attended "Tokyo Flower Carpet 2022" at Gyoko-Dori Avenue in Tokyo. She is honorary patron of the floral event.

Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/tokyoflowercarpet/posts/119721197315336
https://www.facebook.com/ogawa.sake/posts/3285243955095608
https://www.facebook.com/ogawa.sake/posts/3285210815098922
https://www.facebook.com/yasuhiko.fujikawa.3/posts/5790648297618165
https://www.facebook.com/yasuhiko.fujikawa.3/posts/5788256111190717

https://twitter.com/sake_ogawa/status/1505114123431907329
https://www.instagram.com/p/CbTT52JhdVF/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CbVj69pBE3v/

Princess Akiko was interviewed for Asahi's article (paid members) on the 50th anniversary of the discovery of Takamatsuzuka Tumulus murals in Asuka, Nara Prefecture.

Photos are available: Asahi

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takamatsuzuka_Tomb
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/takamatsuzuka-tumulus-tomb

Japanese Ancient Wall Paintings Shown to Media | Nippon.com
Colorful wall paintings found inside an ancient tumulus in Nara Prefecture were shown to the media before Japan marked the 50th anniversary of their discovery Monday.

The murals including those of "Asuka Bijin" beautiful women were found inside the Takamatsuzuka Tomb in the Nara village of Asuka, western Japan, on March 21, 1972, during research by the Archaeological Institute of Kashihara and others.

The tumulus was built between the late seventh and early eighth centuries. The murals are a designated national treasure.

[...]
Click to expand...
 
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Photo of Princess Nobuko speaking at March 19's Tokyo Flower Carpet 2022 from Sankei Imperial Weekly #736

On March 25th, Princess Yohko attended the "Hearing Frailty Prevention Lecture" in Iruma City, Saitama Prefecture and she spoke about her own deafness:
- low notes are basically inaudible, not good with treble
- difficulty hearing other speaker & she sometimes converses based on assumptions
- may not hear what her escort guard is saying

Her symptoms began in her 20s. She hopes more people will be aware of hearing loss/changes, not just the elderly. Princess Yohko became Honorary President of the Japan Universal Sound Design Association in December. This is her first public activity since recovering from Covid-19.

Photos: Mainichi, NHK

I think this is the first major news coverage of Princess Yohko's disability. She spoke about her hearing loss at a (private?) seminar in 2019 which was covered by Tenon web media, see post https://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/f68/the-mikasa-family-thread-6652-17.html#post2222755
 
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Prisma said:
Photo of Princess Nobuko speaking at March 19's Tokyo Flower Carpet 2022 from Sankei Imperial Weekly #736

On March 25th, Princess Yohko attended the "Hearing Frailty Prevention Lecture" in Iruma City, Saitama Prefecture and she spoke about her own deafness:
- low notes are basically inaudible, not good with treble
- difficulty hearing other speaker & she sometimes converses based on assumptions
- may not hear what her escort guard is saying

Her symptoms began in her 20s. She hopes more people will be aware of hearing loss/changes, not just the elderly. Princess Yohko became Honorary President of the Japan Universal Sound Design Association in December. This is her first public activity since recovering from Covid-19.

Photos: Mainichi, NHK

I think this is the first major news coverage of Princess Yohko's disability. She spoke about her hearing loss at a (private?) seminar in 2019 which was covered by Tenon web media, see post https://www.theroyalforums.com/forums/f68/the-mikasa-family-thread-6652-17.html#post2222755
Click to expand...

That's wonderful news (both the princess's talk and that it received major news coverage). Royals typically raise awareness of the needs of people who are less well-off than themselves, and that work is necessary and relevant as well, but there is something special when a royal can advocate on the basis of their own lived experience (Princess Beatrice of the UK's dyslexia activism is a similar recent case). And it is nice to hear from Princess Yohko who seems to be, by far, the least frank and public of the Mikasas.

Incidentally, did she mention the effects of her hearing disability on her public duties? I remember speculation on this forum about whether it was the reason for her absences from New Year's greetings.
 
Except for the bit about her escort guard, Princess Yohko (or the articles) didn't mention how her condition effects her public activities. Photos do not show her wearing hearing aids or needing auditory support devices yet.

Oops, I missed her diagnosis in the Mainichi article. Princess Yohko has sensorineural deafness.

https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/symptoms/sensorineural-deafness
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK565860/

ETA: On March 24th, Princess Akiko visited "Terracotta Warriors and Ancient China Heritage from the Qin and Han Dynast" at Kyoto City Kyocera Museum. The exhibition, opening the next day, commemorates the 50th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China. The princess and media were given a preview.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1506996390269915140
 
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On April 1st, Princess Akiko was appointed visiting professor at Ritsumeikan University. She will give lectures as a guest speaker at the Faculty of Letters, graduate school classes, and symposiums & lectures related to Kyoto culture. The commission period is 1 year until March 31, 2023.

Princess Akiko worked at Ritsumeikan University’s Kinugasa Research Organization September 2009 - March 2011 and has since served as a researcher and special invited associate professor at the same organization. Ritsumeikan University requested her appointment in January through the IHA.

Sources: Mainichi, Sankei
https://www.kyoto-np.co.jp/articles/-/762151
 
Prisma said:
On April 1st, Princess Akiko was appointed visiting professor at Ritsumeikan University. She will give lectures as a guest speaker at the Faculty of Letters, graduate school classes, and symposiums & lectures related to Kyoto culture. The commission period is 1 year until March 31, 2023.

Princess Akiko worked at Ritsumeikan University’s Kinugasa Research Organization September 2009 - March 2011 and has since served as a researcher and special invited associate professor at the same organization. Ritsumeikan University requested her appointment in January through the IHA.

Sources: Mainichi, Sankei
https://www.kyoto-np.co.jp/articles/-/762151
Click to expand...

Interesting, so the professional activities of imperial family members are approved through the Imperial Household Agency? Which I think is a reasonable level of oversight that other royal families could be advised to adopt.
 
On April 15th, Professor Yutaro Shimode of Kyoto Sangyo University's Faculty of Culture presented Princess Akiko of Mikasa with a lacquerware box featuring "Akihimezakura," a cherry variety named after her created by sakuramori and master gardener Toemon Sano.

The lacquerware box is gifted in gratitude for Princess Akiko taking charge of subjects at the Department of Kyoto Culture such as "Kimono Studies" and "Kyoto Culture Field Exercise" and for supporting students' independent learning. Princess Akiko is Special Professor at Kyoto Sangyo University's Institute of Japanese Culture.

Photos: https://www.kyoto-su.ac.jp/news/2022_fcsi/20220419_190_akihimezakura.html

2018 interview with Sano Tōemon

Custodian of the Cherries: Sixteenth-Generation Japanese Gardener Sano Tōemon | Nippon.com
 
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