Princess Hisako Takamado and Family: News and Pictures


If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
I don't know about sidelining; the family's already shrinking, might as well utilize the members it currently has. Tsuguko and Ayako getting patronages is a good sign the IHA is willing to share. I was concerned the extended relatives wouldn't get more duties since the IHA could be saving patronages for Kako, Aiko, and Hisahito.

On February 27th, Princess Hisako attended the 2017 Japan Foundation Prizes for Global Citizenship Award ceremony at the Capitol Hotel Tokyo.
Source: www.mofa.go.jp

On February 28th, Princess Hisako attended the 25th Yomiuri Theater Awards held at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo.
Photos:
 
On March 1st, Princess Hisako attended the Japan-Swiss Spring Ball 2018 held at the Imperial Hotel Tokyo.
Photos:
On March 4th, Princess Hisako had a meeting with US-Japan Council's Japanese American Leadership Delegation (JALD) participants.
Photo of her waving goodbye:
The IHA announced Princess Hisako became feverish on the evening of 5th and was diagnosed with influenza A on the 6th. Her official duties later this week will likely be cancelled. [Sankei]

Wishing the Princess a speedy recovery!
 
[...] I don't have high hopes these patronages will change media coverage for Tsuguko or Ayako. Reaction has been mixed. Some are supportive and excited Tsuguko and Ayako will have more public roles. Others want the younger Takamado and Mikasa princesses to marry out so giving them patronages is seen as discouraging them from leaving.


Are the others who want the younger Takamados and Mikasas to leave the imperial family the set of envious Akishino fans who were pointed out before? I really don't believe that assigning patronages to Tsuguko and Ayako is "discouraging" them from marrying. It is not as if, had they not been assigned as many patronages, the path of an imperial family member would be comparable to the path of a commoner. If their view that the princesses or their potential husbands are discouraged from marrying is a fact, they might turn to the treatment of the Komuros for an explanation.


Good to see that she is assigned for new patronage! I thought she would be sidelined soon because of the coming abdication (which it's too bad as I always think she is a great treasure for the imperial family).

I don't know about sidelining; the family's already shrinking, might as well utilize the members it currently has. Tsuguko and Ayako getting patronages is a good sign the IHA is willing to share. I was concerned the extended relatives wouldn't get more duties since the IHA could be saving patronages for Kako, Aiko, and Hisahito.


I most certainly agree that the most pragmatic and foresighted posture would be to utilize the Mikasa and Takamado families, whose female members impress me as accomplished and charismatic, so far as they are available. However, I thought the Emperor had signaled that he wants them to marry out?


On March 1st, the IHA announced Princess Hisako is honorary president of the Japan Heart Foundation. The organization promotes cardiovascular disease awareness and automatic external defibrillator (AED).

Sources: Asahi, Sankei

Didn't Prince Takamado die after suffering a heart attack?
 
Some are Akishino fans. Others may not be familiar with the extended families' public duties and it's the common "why are taxpayers supporting so many royals?" most monarchies get occasionally. I'm not aware of Princess Noriko being assigned patronages before her marriage. People are taking notice of Tsuguko and Ayako's appointments. There's never been a princess who has opted to stay unmarried for life. Some royal watchers think Princess Akiko could be the first.

Perhaps the Emperor or IHA reassessed the situation. The article says the proposal was discussed several years ago. The family has decreased or slowed down in recent years. Noriko married in 2014; Prince Mikasa died in 2016; Princess Hanako has not resumed public service since a hospital stay for back issues last September. Prince Hitachi has fewer public appearances. Outside of the Emperor's branch of the family, only Nobuko and Hisako are performing regular duties.

I've seen google translations of Japanese reports as heart attack. Here's an English article: Prince dies after collapse on embassy squash court | The Japan Times
[…] The prince collapsed after suffering ventricular fibrillation and went into a state of cardiopulmonary arrest […]
 
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On March 28th, Princess Hisako met Chrystia Freeland, Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Photo:

ETA: On January 16th, Princess Hisako attended the "Fifth International Symposium on Arctic Research (ISAR-5)" held in Tokyo.
H.I.H. Princess Hisako Takamado marked the opening ceremony of the symposium by talking about the expectations from Arctic research.
Fifth International Symposium on Arctic Research | EurekAlert! Science News
 
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[...]

On February 12th, Princess Hisako attended the Hockey Japan League Awards 2017.
Photos:
[...]
Better photos at hjl-hockey.tv

Princess Tsuguko attended the 2017 Prince Takamado Trophy Men's Hockey Japan League at Komazawa Olympic Park General Sports Ground in Tokyo on December 17, 2017. She watched the final 2 matches.
Sources: Pictures of Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado and her family - The Imperial Household Agency (updated recently) and metro-hockey.tokyo.jp
http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/activity/activity/08/img/activity08-ph-38.jpg
 
Better photos at hjl-hockey.tv

Princess Tsuguko attended the 2017 Prince Takamado Trophy Men's Hockey Japan League at Komazawa Olympic Park General Sports Ground in Tokyo on December 17, 2017. She watched the final 2 matches.
Sources: Pictures of Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado and her family - The Imperial Household Agency (updated recently) and metro-hockey.tokyo.jp
http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/activity/activity/08/img/activity08-ph-38.jpg

Once more, very Canadian of the Takamado family. ;) Why do the referees(?) wear rainbow striped uniforms?
 
On February 24th, Princess Hisako attended the closing of the 2018 JACAC (Japan-Canada Academic Consortium) Student Forum.

Photo:
[...]
Interview with Noah Furlani, a member of the winning team at the 2018 Japan-Canada Academic Consortium (JACAC).

Concordia student Noah Furlani's magical, engaging and overwhelming trip
[...]

Over a few days, we were expected to produce a presentation on the role of the humanities in a technological age. Part of our preparation included a number of lectures prepared by the host university.

At the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo, we finally presented our work to the organizers of the forum, to members of the host university and finally to the Ambassador of Canada to Japan, the Honorable Ian Burney, and Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado, in whose husband’s honour the centre was founded.

[...]
 
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Princess Hisako is one of my favorite imperial figures. Her smile is infectious, and she always seems to be having a wonderful time, no matter what the engagement is.

Love the video above of the emperor and empress with the horse--what a beauty he is!
 
Princess Hisako may visit Russia next month to watch the Japanese national team play in the FIFA World Cup. The princess is honorary president of the Japan Football Association and has attended the World Cup since Japan's first appearance in 1998. If she attends, it will be first visit to Russia by an Imperial family member in 102 years.
Source: news24.jp

More photos of the World Gardening Fair on May 2nd at young-germany.jp
 
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On May 15th, Princess Hisako attended the 50th Japan-Korea Economic Association opening ceremony at Hotel Okura Tokyo.

[...]
:previous: Sankei Imperial Weekly #539 provided photos! Yay!
http://www.sankei.com/images/news/180518/lif1805180006-p11.jpg
http://www.sankei.com/images/news/180518/lif1805180006-p17.jpg

Confirmed: Princess Hisako will visit Russia June 18-26 for the World Cup. She'll attend Japan's matches against Colombia and Senegal in the group preliminaries and visit the national team's base camps. She'll also attend a Japan-Russia Kyudo event.

There are no plans for Princess Hisako to meet key Russian figures as she is traveling in her capacity as honorary president of the Japan Football Association and honorary chairman of the International Kyudo Federation.

Japan's base camps are in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan. [FIFA pdf]

Sources: Jiji, Sankei, news24.jp, news.tbs.co.jp
 
On May 19th, Princess Hisako and Princess Ayako attended the 70th anniversary of the maritime security system held off the coast of Tokyo Bay. The Japanese Coast Guard organized the ceremony and comprehensive training featuring 24 patrol boats, 12 aircraft boats, helicopters, and vessels from related organizations. In total, 37 ships and 15 airplanes participated. The princesses and 3074 invited guests watched rescue, firefighting, and counter-terrorism exercises from 4 patrol boats.

Source: Sankei

Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/MissJapanC...231620553721/1828231543887062/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/FalconSail...296181944341/2164168276957114/?type=3&theater
 
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On May 22nd, Princess Tsuguko attended "Panel For Life" held at Tokyo Haneda airport passenger terminal. The Christel Vie Ensemble Foundation (CVE) launched the project, aiming "to eliminate dog and cat euthanasia by promoting animal welfare in Japan by the year of 2020." Activities include raising awareness of rescued animals and pet adoption. Masashi Norihisa from the Ministry of the Environment, Helen von Rice from IKEA Japan, and model Laura also attended the event.

The Takamado family has a rescue dog from Chiba prefecture.

Sources: Asahi Entertainment, beauty.oricon.co.jp

https://contents.oricon.co.jp/upimg/news/20180522/2111925_201805220419663001526964583c.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ddx1tt9UQAAuSSe.jpg

Video of Tsuguko's speech at news.tbs.co.jp

Facebook photos/video:
More about the project: https://www.panel-for-life.org/

ETA: The Takamado family had another dog who was injured in the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake. [news24.jp]

ETA: Getty Images

I'm pleasantly surprised Getty has photos! Yay!
 
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:previous: shutterstock gallery of Princess Tsuguko on May 22.

I'm both amused and frustrated this event got so much media coverage. Usually I'm digging through Twitter, Facebook, or local news/event sites for Takamado or Mikasa content. Yet an animal welfare event at Tokyo Haneda airport will turn up in Getty, shutterstock, and even Sankei Imperial Weekly #540?!

ETA: Christel Takigawa, founder of CVE and the project, is a TV personality and former news presenter who helped Tokyo's successful Summer Olympic 2020 bid. OK, that explains the coverage.
 
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On May 22nd, Princess Tsuguko attended "Panel For Life" held at Tokyo Haneda airport passenger terminal. The Christel Vie Ensemble Foundation (CVE) launched the project, aiming "to eliminate dog and cat euthanasia by promoting animal welfare in Japan by the year of 2020." Activities include raising awareness of rescued animals and pet adoption. Masashi Norihisa from the Ministry of the Environment, Helen von Rice from IKEA Japan, and model Laura also attended the event.

very excited to hear about this - well done to Tsuguko and Christel for raising awareness on animal welfare!
 
In mid-May, Princess Hisako visited the 114th Taiheiyo Art Exhibition at the National Art Center in Minato, Tokyo.
Photos at artists' blogs: Joe Ohi, Teruko Kogure

On May 29th, Princess Hisako attended a photo shoot for "Japan through Diplomat's Eyes" at Meiji Jingu.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/ambassadem...971214116004/1968334386813020/?type=3&theater

Princess Hisako visited Nagasaki Prefecture May 25-27 for the 59th International Speech Contest in Japanese.
Photos: https://image.space.rakuten.co.jp/d...887336f5f140c67925d490a7936dac9.39.2.9.2.jpeg
https://image.space.rakuten.co.jp/d...c91f1562eb057201d28a8b52053607a.39.2.9.2.jpeg

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]

A bit of late news: Princess Hisako attended a dinner on April 19th at the Singapore Embassy with Ambassadors of Argentina, Australia, Rwanda, Slovenia, and Vietnam.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/SingaporeE...381898983477/1761979873823664/?type=3&theater

ETA: Princess Hisako's June article for BirdLife: Parasitic Birds and Parasitized Host Birds | BirdLife
 
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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

The same day, Princess Hisako also attended the 2018 Marine Rescue Japan award ceremony at the Kaiun Club in Chiyoda, Tokyo.
Photos:
https://www.facebook.com/7615003238...500323884846/1967820246586175/?type=3&theater

ETA: Better photo of the 2018 Marine Rescue Japan award ceremony at Sankei Imperial Weekly #542
 
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On June 9th, Princess Hisako attended K-Ballet Company's production of "Cleopatra" at Tokyo Bunka Kaikan.

news.tbs.co.jp video

ETA: On June 1st, Princess Hisako attended the 110th anniversary of the Tokyo Women's Club held at the Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel. Proceeds from the celebration were donated to 5 charities.

Photos: The 110th Anniversary - thetokyowomensclub ページ!
https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/im...90a06172d38794b1/version/1528215106/image.jpg
https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/im...bf369f0b472d6be1/version/1528250504/image.jpg
https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/im...d9d7a1bdcbb8db55/version/1528248182/image.jpg
https://image.jimcdn.com/app/cms/im...63a0de6667e246c2/version/1528248182/image.jpg
 
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On June 18th, Princess Hisako departed for Russia from Narita airport.

Photos: NHK, Sankei

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.

According to the agency, Princess Hisako plans to watch Japan's first match against Colombia on Tuesday in Saransk and visit the Japanese team's camp in Kazan on Thursday. She is also scheduled to watch Japan play Senegal on June 24.

As the honorary chair of an international federation for kyudo, a Japanese form of archery, the princess is also slated to attend an event to promote bilateral exchanges on the martial art, before returning to Japan on June 26. Sources close to the matter said she has no plans to meet any key Russian officials during her stay.
 
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