Princess Hisako Takamado and Family: News and Pictures

[mandyy]

Speech by His Excellency Mr. Sadaaki Numata
Ambassador of Japan
On the Occasion of the Official Opening Dinner of
The Prince Takamado Gallery of Japan at the Royal Ontario Museum
January 26, 2006
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto
​

Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado,
Mr. William Thorsell, Director & the CEO of the Royal Ontario Museum
Mr. David Palmer, President & Executive Director of the ROM Foundation,
Mr. Jim Temerty, Chair of the ROM Governors, President of Northan Power,
Mr. Jack Cockwell, Chair of the ROM Trustees,
Mrs. Deanne Orr, Co-Chair of the Bishop White Committee,
Mrs. Pauline Lewis, Co-Chair of the Bishop White Committee,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great honour and privilege for me to join this commemorative grand opening of the Prince Takamado Gallery of Japan at the Royal Ontario Museum, graced by the presence of Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado.
I would like, first of all, to express my deep respect and gratitude to the Royal Ontario Museum, the ROM Foundation and the Bishop White Committee for having created this magnificent gallery where more than 5,000 Japanese works of art are exhibited.I would also like to thank the Japanese and Canadian business communities, without whose generous donations this would not have been realized.
When I came here in April last year, I wore a hard hat and a special pair of boots to see the gallery under construction.I am very happy to see the gallery completed today, and look forward to seeing the majestic beauty of Renaissance ROM in its entirety.
Culture is like a magnet that draws people together.I have been happy to see a number of Canadians taking an active interest in traditional Japanese culture such as tea ceremony, Ikebana and Bonsai.Manychildren in primary and secondary schools are attracted to the Japanese language through manga and anime.I am sure that the permanent exhibition of Japanese arts in this gallery will stimulate the interest of a broad cross-section of Canadians in the culture, history, society and other aspects of Japan, and thus help widen the circle of mutual understanding and friendship between our two peoples.
We all recall with fondness and respect the very active and important role that His Imperial Highness Prince Takamado played in bridging Japan and Canada.We all look forward to keeping his memory alive through the activities of this gallery and building many more bridges between our tow peoples.
I would like to conclude my remarks by expressing my appreciation once again to all the people who have made this opening possible.I would also like to say how grateful we all are to Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado for building on the valuable work of the late Prince and being with us on this important occasion.Thank you.

From http://www.ca.emb-japan.go.jp/

 

[fanletizia]

Japanese princess Takamado arranges itself to cut the inaugural tape of the exhibition "Of Tiziano to Goya. Masterpieces of the Museum of the Prado "

from terra

 

[purple_platinum]

Miguel Zugaza (L), Museo del Prado director, delivers a speech as Japanese Princess Takamado (R) listens during the opening ceremony of the 'Masterpieces of the Museo del Prado' exhibition at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Friday 24 March 2006. Some 81 paintings from the Museo del Prado, mainly from Spain, Italy, and Flanders of the 16-18 centuries are presented in this exhibition that will open its doors on March 25 until June 30.

from ANP (EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON)

 

[mandyy]

Princess Hisako in Tokyo on March 16, 2006

From Yomiuri news

 

[mandyy]

Kunaicho have put up some new photos in the profile of Princess Hisako

Photos from Kunaicho

 

[mandyy]

Princess Hisako meeting Canada's Governor General Michaëlle Jean during her visit to Canada in Jan of 2006.
Photo from Kunaicho website

 

[monica17]

I know this was awhile back, but what does the Coming of Age mean for a member of the Imperial Family? In the case of Princess Tsuguko, who had her Coming of Age Ceremony last March, does it mean she will now have official duties? Do boys and girls have different age requirement for this ceremony? In the case of Princess Tsuguko, 20, but for CP Naruhito, 18 (if I remember correctly)?

 

[mandyy]

Princess Hisako at an exhibition named "Prince Takamado's Smile" in Nagoya, Japan on March 28, 2006.

#1: Yomiuri news

 

[monica17]

princess hisako is a writer

I have just "unearthed' from the Net that Princess Hisako of Takamado wrote two children's books - 1) Katie and the Dream Eater 2) Lulie the Iceberg, which I believe were published in 1996 and 1998.

This is so amazing! The 2nd book has a tie-up with UNICEF and was adapted into a play in Japan and Canada.

Has anyone read/come across them or or seen the play (I know they're for kids, but still....)?

 

[mandyy]

I have just "unearthed' from the Net that Princess Hisako of Takamado wrote children's two books - 1) Katie and the Dream Eater 2) Lulie the Iceberg, which I believe were published in 1996 and 1998.

This is so amazing! The 2nd book has a tie-up with UNICEF and was adapted into a play in Japan and Canada.

Has anyone read/come across them or or seen the play (I know they're for kids, but still....)?

Just found some pics of the books she wrote
#1-3: amazon
#1: Lulie the Iceberg (info about the book from smarter-Lulie is a very brave iceberg with the warmest of hearts. In this enchanting tale, Lulie makes the extraordinary voyage from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Filled with brilliant and imaginative illustrations, "Lulie" is an inspiring story of courage and compassion.)
#3: A book published of their visit to Korea and it's the first diary published of a visit by Imperial Family members to Korea (it has photos and diaries of their visit there in 2002)


Below is link to see parts of the English version of the book (Lulie the Iceberg) inside and some info about Princess Hisako- from what I saw she wrote this book especially to her 3 daughters and all the children of the world
http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1568362722/ref=sib_rdr_fc/103-0196047-4598255?%5Fencoding=UTF8&p=S001&j=1#reader-page

 

[monica17]

Oh thank you, Mandyy! Very nice references and explanations on the books. I will look them up.

Princess Hisako is indeed a credit to the Imperial Family and Japan. She is so amazingly talented and supports a lot of causes.

 

[purple_platinum]

Denmark's Peter Gade (2nd L) shakes hands with Japan's Princess Takamado (R) during the awards ceremony after the final matches of the Thomas Cup team badminton tournament against China in Tokyo, 07 May 2006. Gade lost his single match with China's Lin Dan 2-0 (21-17, 21-19) and Denmark men's team finished in second place.

from ANP (AFP PHOTO/Kazuhiro NOGI)

 

[fanletizia]

Princess Hisako (front, 2nd L) poses with Japan's national soccer team's mascot dog 'Ron', President of Japan Football Association Saburo Kawabuchi (front, 3rd L), head coach Zico (front C) of Brazil, team players and staff members before a training session at J-Village in Naraha town, northern Japan May 20, 2006. Japan will face Australia in their first match of the World Cup Germany 2006 in Kaiserslautern on June 12

from yahoo/reuters

 

[fanletizia]

FC Deutschland GmbH Managing Director Mike de Vries, left, accompanied by former German Interior and Sports Minister Otto Schily, center, presents an object of football spike shoes to Japanese Princess Takamado, patron of the Japan Football Association, during a ceremony marking the shift of Germany Year in Japan 2005-2006 event to World Cup Germany 2006 in Tokyo Wednesday, May 24, 2006. The event was organized to celebrate the yearlong event's successful completion in March and the upcoming World Cup opening in June

from yahoo/reuters

 

[wlee]

She is so cute.... (From AP) "The princess wore a football-designed ring and watch and her nails were manicured in blue, Japan's World Cup team's symbol color, red and white of Japan's national flag as well as black, red and yellow of Japan football Association's flag to show her support of the Japan team."

I really want to know more about Princess Takamado but there is so little coverage about her.

 

[monica17]

What a modern, Imperial Princess! I love the design of her nails. Thanks, fanletizia. Good the IHA didn't disapprove ....well, she is showing support to the team, anyhow.

WLee, I may be wrong but there is quite a lot of coverage on Princess Hisako.... I mean, she is everywhere! She must be the busiest member of the Imperial Family. You may want to look up the IHA's website - her profile is there, as well as a loooooong list of all the causes she supports. It's really astounding. Then maybe from that list you can see if you can keep track of her activities and the corresponding press coverages.

 

[mandyy]

Translation from Kyodo news

Princess Hisako of Takamado will begin a 9-day visit to Germany beginning June 17 to watch the world cup and make regional visits in Germany.

 

[purple_platinum]

Japanese Princess Hisako (L) and Franz Beckenbauer, head of the World Cup organising committee are pictured prior the World Cup 2006 group F football match Japan vs Croatia, 18 June 2006 at Nuremberg stadium.

from ANP

 

[mandyy]

Japan's Princess Takamado waits in the stands before the Group F World Cup 2006 soccer match between Japan and Croatia in Nuremberg June 18, 2006.

Below from DPA


#1-8: Reuters
#9-10: Polfoto

 

[mandyy]

Artists robbed of a year's work
............Some of Mapp's works are in the Japanese royal family Takamado collection while others had been in a Japanese exhibition in the British Museum..............
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3700360a14297,00.html

 

[fanletizia]

Duesseldorf's mayor Joachim Erwin stands in between Japanese Princess Takamado (L) and her daughter Princess Tsuguko in the city hall of Duesseldorf, Germany, Monday, 19 June 2006.

from anp

 

[fanletizia]

Princess Takamado takes photos as she visits the Japanese team's World Cup soccer practice session in Bonn June 20, 2006 in preparation for their Group F match against Brazil

from yahoo/reuters

 

[fanletizia]

Princess Takamado (L) holds a camera as she stands next to German soccer legend Franz Beckenbauer in the stands before Japan's Group F World Cup 2006 soccer match against Brazil in Dortmund June 22, 2006

from yahoo/reuters

 

[mandyy]

Photos from Newcom
#1-3: Japanese Princess Takamado and her daughter visit the nature conservancy station 'House Wildenrath' in Wegberg, Germany, Thursday, 22 June 2006. Takamado visits the station to collect some information about different nature conservancy projects. Her main reason to be in Germany is however to support the Japanese national soccer team, as the honorary president of the Japan Football Association (JFA) during the FIFA World Cup 2006.
#4-6: Japanese Princess Hisako Takamado visits as honorary president of Japanese Football Association the city of Bonn, Germany, Tuesday, June 20, 2006. She signed the Golden Book of the city, visited the market place, tested smoked ham from Parma, took photos and visited the Beethoven-house. Bonn, GERMANY -20/06/2006

#1-2: Getty images-Japanese Princess Hisako and president of Germany 2006 Organising Committee Franz Beckenbauer attend the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 Group F match between Japan and Brazil at the Stadium Dortmund on June 22, 2006 in Dortmund, Germany.
#3: Polfoto-Japan's Princess Hisako Takamado wears a necklace with small footballs, during a visit the Beethoven house in Bonn, Germany, Tuesday, June 20, 2006. Princess Takamado is honorary president of the Japanese Football Association.

 

[mandyy]

Japanese Princess TAKAMADO together with her daughter TSUGUKO (L) arrving to the FIFA World Cup match Switzerland vs. South Korea in Hannover.

from Newscom

 

[mandyy]

Visit to the city of Kaiserslautern on June 20, 2006.
From Zuma Press

 

[monica17]

Lovely to see both Princesses Hisako and Tsuguko supporting the Japan team. I think Tsuguko takes after her mom-she seems so lively, too. Very nice pic of the children waving Japanese flags.

Princess Hisako looks so alive and energetic. I wish I have her spirit all the time!

 

[wlee]

What a charming and energetic princess! I really like her smile.

Princess Takamado of Japan stresses peace at World Cup

Bonn, Germany - Sporting a necklace made of little footballs, Princess Takamado of Japan said Tuesday the World Cup was further tightening bonds between host Germany and her nation.

From Monsters and Critics.com, Jun 20, 2006

http://people.monstersandcritics.com/royalwatch/article_1174230.php/Princess_Takamado_of_Japan_stresses_peace_at_World_Cup

 

[magnik]

WOW!
I can't belive that this Princess belong to JImperial Family She and her daughter are so different from the rest of the family!!!

I wonder, maybe the IHA doesn't have so big influence for the (distant) rtelatives of the Emperor?

 

[monica17]

WOW!
I can't belive that this Princess belong to JImperial Family She and her daughter are so different from the rest of the family!!!

I wonder, maybe the IHA doesn't have so big influence for the (distant) rtelatives of the Emperor?

I don't know if the IHA is "selective" when it comes to "controlling" the family members, but, yes, I agree with you that Princess Takamado is such a fun-loving and different Imperial Princess. I love her personal style!

I hope we get news of Princesses Tsuguko, Ayako and Noriko, too!