Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako Current Events Pt 4: Jan - Dec 2008

[Tilla]

You are all so very kind!

Well, I should perhaps have added to the text: "Der Wunsch ist der Vater des Gedankens" (Goethe) = "The desire is the father of the thought".

[Al_bina]

I would say that being educated and living abroad have had a direct effect on Crown Princess Masako's personality. Given all the information I have read about Crown Princess Masako, it would be fair to say that she felt more comfortable living abroad and associating with foreigners because she could more freely express herself and did not worry much about conforming with strict norms of protocol. Pressures of the life as Crown Princess made her introverted, shy, and withdrawn to a certain extent. At the same time, she exudes natural warmth that make her less formal and more-approachable. Perhaps, it is an innate trait of her personality that flourished living outside of Japan.

[Mermaid1962]

Yes, that's a good conclusion to come to.

Originally Posted by Al_bina

Perhaps, it is an innate trait of her personality that flourished living outside of Japan.

[kbear]

I am so pleased to see her looking so well I just hope she gets better day by day. I love babies and Im sure she would love another but I would just like her to get better and take her rightful place at events.

[Jia]

That's very interesting Chiara C, but I wonder why you think Kiko hasn't been treated with love and care?
Is it just assumption or is it based on facts?
I know about Akishino's affair in Thailand, but that doesn't necessarily mean that he's in bad terms with his wife imo.

[ChiaraC]

Originally Posted by Jia

That's very interesting Chiara C, but I wonder why you think Kiko hasn't been treated with love and care?
Is it just assumption or is it based on facts?
I know about Akishino's affair in Thailand, but that doesn't necessarily mean that he's in bad terms with his wife imo.

Thank you very much, mermaid, for your encouraging compliment!
I want to give an answer to your question, Jia, but Albina is absolutely right: this is not the right place for it. So please follow me: Has princess Kiko been badly treated?

But there is one thing I have to say here: it is not a mere coincidence that I am reflecting about Kiko´s fate in this thread because IMO her story is giving an answer to an open question concerning Masako: Every now and then it has been said that when Masako found her way of being and behaving to be so absolutely incompatible with the expectations of her traditional “entourage” she should, finally, have given in and should have become still more traditional herself, as much as ever was necessary. (The first thing that would have happened if she had done that obviously would have been her husband seriously complaining that if he had wanted to marry a woman who always smiles, keeps her mouth shut and opens it only in order to say: “Yes, Naruhito, I agree, Naruhito, you are so perfect, Naruhito.” he would not have needed to wait for Masako so many years as a smiling puppet would have been much easier to find… But we will just leave this aside and assume that Naruhito might have changed his mind for some reason or other – which is, IMO, just as probable as a snowstorm in hell but only supposing:) We do not know exactly what would have happened if Masako would have just stopped to have an opinion of her own and would have used all her energy only to try and become the most traditional crown princess ever and meet all the expectations of the people surrounding her.

But we have Kiko´s example – because that is exactly what SHE did (except that she was not the CROWN princess): She has done absolutely everything that has been required of her and has done it with admirable skill and seemingly with much grace and ease – and, as far as I can see, much good has it done her… Her story shows IMO that whatever you do as a woman marrying into the imperial family of Japan: if you put all your energy into adapting to the status quo or if you try to find some sort of balance between your own personality and the requirements of your position, in the end it makes no difference: You just can´t win...

[Al_bina]

It seems to me that the current course of the discussion is veering off the topic. At the same time, I agree that ChiaraC's comments on the situation are very insightful.

[emma93]

New picture of CP Naruhito anf CP Masako(20/11/2008)
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/photos/cult...1500000-p1.jpg
http://mainichi.jp/select/wadai/news...000p_size5.jpg

[Mermaid1962]

These are such nice photos to see. Do you know what the event was?

Originally Posted by emma93

New picture of CP Naruhito anf CP Masako(20/11/2008)
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/photos/cult...1500000-p1.jpg
http://mainichi.jp/select/wadai/news...000p_size5.jpg

[ChiaraC]

Originally Posted by emma93

New picture of CP Naruhito anf CP Masako(20/11/2008)
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/photos/cult...1500000-p1.jpg
http://mainichi.jp/select/wadai/news...000p_size5.jpg

And after this very pessimistic posting of mine I´d like to add that these pictures are beautiful and indeed do give hope...

[el-khanz]

Originally Posted by emma93

New picture of CP Naruhito anf CP Masako(20/11/2008)
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/photos/cult...1500000-p1.jpg
http://mainichi.jp/select/wadai/news...000p_size5.jpg

Lovely pictures Masako looks great on her recent appearance. So stylish and always smile..

[Tilla]

Thank you for these lovely photos. They give hope.

[Al_bina]

emma93,
Thanks for new pictures! Crown Princely couple looks very happy, indeed. What was the occasion for these photos to be taken?

[Odette]

In Point De Vue #3146 from Nov 5 to 11 they have an article about Masako. According to Antoine Michelland there may be a divorce in the making.

[kimebear]

There is always a divorce in the making when it comes to Naruhito and Masako. It would make things nice and tidy for the IHA.

However, anyone that has seen the most recent photos of them could never believe that two people who could look at each other with such affection are on the verge of divorce.

[Al_bina]

It remains to be seen whether the divorce rumours are true. It is quite possible that the IHA may surprise us.

[ChiaraC]

Originally Posted by Al_bina

It remains to be seen whether the divorce rumours are true. It is quite possible that the IHA may surprise us.

What do you mean by that, Albina? Do you mean they could force them to divorce even if they do not want?

Well, maybe they could "technically" do so but if they did they could never be sure that the crown prince would not tell the whole world on his next press conference what they have done. And he is the future emperor, they could keep him from giving press conferences for a certain time but not for his whole life. Of course, it is something that you "don´t do" in Japan to tell such a thing to the public as it would create a very big scandal indeed. But we all have seen already that fear of scandal does not necessarily silence the crown prince when driven to extremities. I think they could not risk that.

[emma93]

I love the way they looking at each other.It shows that he loved her and she proud of him
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/photos/cult...0803000-p1.jpg
And another pics of this event
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/photos/cult...0803000-p9.jpg
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/photos/cult...0803000-p8.jpg
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/photos/cult...0803000-p7.jpg
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/photos/cult...0803000-p6.jpg
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/photos/cult...0803000-p5.jpg
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/photos/cult...0803000-p4.jpg
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/photos/cult...0803000-p2.jpg

[emma93]

Two pics of Crown Prince Naruhito
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/photos/cult...1833001-p1.jpg
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/photos/cult...0803000-p3.jpg

[seiko]

Thank you for all those lovely picture of Crown Prince and Princess. Masako sama looks lovely!