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Princess Akiko gave an interview to Junko Sakai for Fujin Kōron magazine's August 2022 issue.
Fujin Kōron posted the interview with photos in 2 parts.
part 1, 4 pages:
https://fujinkoron.jp/articles/-/6454
part 2, 5 pages :
https://fujinkoron.jp/articles/-/6457
Part 1 highlights:
- growing up surrounded by Japanese art, crafts, traditional performing arts, and annual events, Akiko didn't feel it was anything special initially.
- She says "when it comes to Japanese culture, many people think of it as a noble hobby, such as "You must wear a kimono to Kabuki." However, whether it is kabuki or ukiyo-e, pottery, lacquerware, kimono, tea ceremony, and so on, what is called Japanese culture is something that has been enjoyed in everyday life. I believe that culture should live in our lives."
- dictionary study for Japanese language, regional differences in Rakugo performances
- Sakai mentioned it's rare for a female Imperial family member to preside over an organization (like Shinyusha). Akiko responded, "It's not that I had a hard time because I'm a woman, or that I decided to do something because I'm a woman. If I were a man, I would have done the same."
- Akiko had trouble opening a bank account for Shinyusha because she doesn't have a last name and had to visit the bank 2-3 times.
- She was surprised workshops in Tokyo were not as well attended as workshops held in the Kansai region. After asking around, she learned Tokyo children are busier with cram school and lessons.
- Many people call her "Hime-chan" or "Hime-chama" (Hime is another word for princess). Once, when a friend ordered her birthday cake, she asked him to write "Happy Birthday Hime-chan"
Part 2 highlights:
- Study aboard 1st time and becoming aware she didn't know Japan well enough.
- Study aboard 2nd time for her doctorate.
- Ukiyo-e, folding screening, importance and differences of lighting.
- Akiko read her first adult book when she was in kindergarten, her father's "Tomo-san's Study Abroad." Prince Tomohito gave her furigana for all the kanji.
- Akiko was involved in compiling her father's writings for a book, published in June. She discovered how much he cared about his children.
- My father was the kind of person who said, "I'm not interested in children who can't argue," so I didn't have many memories of him when I was young. However, when I read the writings at that time, I realized that he was taking care of his daughters more than I had imagined. It was a new discovery."
- When Akiko grew old enough for talks, she and her father discussed "everything from the books I read, to the management of the organizations he served as a board member, when to assign bodyguards, and so on."
- Sakai heard allowances were decided through discussion.
- Akiko responded "I made a monthly budget, submitted a plan, and received an allowance. I was passionate about using up my pocket money to the nearest 10 yen. One day, when I showed his father my allowance book, he said in his usual informal tone, "What is it? This kind of thing is to trick parents and get a lot of money," he told me." (Akiko smiles)
- Akiko didn't feel pressure taking over duties after her father's death. She had been accompanying him on activities for years.
- Funny story about a ski tournament greeting: Prince Tomohito was coughing so Princess Akiko hurriedly read it for him. "However, the speech was about how the Japanese team was unsuccessful at the Olympics, and what was wrong with it. I felt my face turn pale while reading. Based on this experience, when I speak, I try to convey what I felt from my perspective, while keeping what my father was doing at the core of my heart."
I missed this info earlier: Princess Yohko noticed hearing loss because she suffers from Meniere's disease.
