The Mikasa Family Thread


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582 people attended Prince Mikasa’s funeral on November 4th. Besides the family, mourners included Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and US Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy. (Sankei)

Asahi gallery
smaller Sankei gallery
Jiji
Mainichi (includes video)

English articles:
Imperial family, mourners attend funeral of Prince Mikasa : The Asahi Shimbun

Main funeral ceremony for Prince Mikasa held at Tokyo cemetery | The Japan Times

Centenarian Japanese prince who loved dancing and hated war laid to rest | Reuters
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2SfH-gTxE4
 
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Do we happen to know if Princess Nobuko was present at the vigils and the funeral service? I have only seen her arriving at the Estate paying the last respect on the day Prince Mikasa passed away.
 
:previous: I don't think she did. If she attended the funeral, Princess Nobuko should have been between Princess Hanako and Princess Akiko in the photo below. Not sure about the other events as articles didn't list each person. Most mentioned Princess Yuriko, the crown prince and wife, or Prince Akishino and wife, and then "et al." or "other family".
http://www.sankei.com/images/news/161104/lif1611040042-p2.jpg

Although I see Atsuko Ikeda (Emperor Akihito's older sister), one of the Mikasa's daughters (Masako Sen?) and her husband, Noriko Senge, and the Kurodas in the 3rd row.

A Sankei gallery focused on Princess Yuriko

More photos of Akishino and Takamado families at Sankei Imperial Weekly #459
 
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Princess Akiko credits her grandfather Prince Mikasa for her academic career. The late prince encouraged her studies at Oxford University, gave his best regards when she took over as Honorary President of the Japan-Turkey Association, and placed importance on pursuing interests. Although he became too old for dancing, Prince Mikasa worked in Japan's dance organizations. As an 80 year old, he took up the challenge of a word processor. Princess Akiko is the first Imperial princess to earn a doctorate and continues research activities at Kyoto Sangyo University's Institute for Japanese Culture.
Source: Mainichi
Google translation

On November 5th, Imperial family members worshipped at the tomb of Prince Mikasa. Before they left, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko consoled Princess Yuriko who stood up from her wheelchair.

Photos: Asahi, Sankei
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JDl2KPUGUg
ETA: a longer ANN news report about Prince Mikasa
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7egkAA37Y4
 
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Princess Yuriko was certified as the head of the Mikasa household on November 16th by the Imperial Household Economy Council (chaired by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe). There are no changes to the Mikasa’s annual fee (budget?) of 30.5 million yen. Half the amount pays for day-to-day living expenses and payments will go to Princess Yuriko as head of the family from November.

Sources: Sankei, Yomiuri, Nikkei
 
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Princess Yoko visited Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture December 8-11th for the 6th International Universal Design Conference.
Source: Sankei photo and Asahi Imperial schedule

Found her interview/speech at the AHFE 2016 conference in July:
IAUD Patron Her Imperial Highness Princess Yohko made the impressive address: "Who am I? Or you? What is a person? What does our existence mean? What do we mean by connections between people?" | International Association for Universal Design

On December 7th, Princesses Nobuko and Akiko attended the traditional diplomatic duck hunt with ambassadors of 12 countries.
Source: Sankei Imperial Weekly #464 p4

Princess Akiko's latest article on rice, Asahi
Google translation
 
.

The 50 days anniversary of the late Prince Mikasa's Entombment Ceremony took place today, December 15 - here's a photo of Princess Yuriko at the ceremony:


** Pic **
 
:previous: Thanks!
There were 48 attendees, including 7 Imperial members (Princesses Yuriko, Akiko, Yoko, Hanako, Hisako, Tsuguko, and Ayako per Asahi's schedule). Before the ceremony at Toshima Oka Cemetery, there was another 50th day rite at the Mikasa residence which included Prince Hitachi.

fnn-news, news24.jp videos
 
Princess Akiko has been hospitalized for cold and asthma attacks. IHA reported she has a fever on the evening of the 3rd and was admitted to Kyoto Prefectural Medical University Hospital on the morning of the 4th. As researcher at Kyoto Sangyo University Institute for Japanese Culture, Princess Akiko travels frequently to Kyoto and was spending the year-end holidays there.

Sources: Sankei, Asahi

ETA: Princess Akiko hospitalized for high fever, asthma - The Mainichi
 
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Princess Akiko was discharged from the hospital on January 10th and will stay in Kyoto this week.
Sankei

Also, Getty Images gallery of Prince Mikasa's 50 Days Entombment Ceremony on December 15th.
 
The prince [Tomohito] kindly carried luggage for him [his escort officer], saying, “You can’t protect me without keeping your hands free.”
Prince Tomohito, who served as the captain of Gakushuin University’s ski club and president of the Professional Ski Instructors Association of Japan, requested his escort officers also acquire a high level of skiing proficiency.

The former officer said: “The prince told us to always ski four meters behind him. The distance was so subtle as to avoid a crash, even when he stopped suddenly, while preventing [other skiers] from cutting in.”

[...]

Princess Akiko of Mikasa, the eldest daughter of Prince Tomohito, wrote in her book: “A few escort officers have been in charge of my family for more than 10 years. The officers, who have known me since I was a child, are like my family.”
Click to expand...
Imperial Guard marks 130th anniversary / Subtle security gives Emperor more leeway - The Japan News
 
On January 17th, Princess Yoko attended the 65th anniversary of the All Japan Real Estate Association at the New Otani Hotel in Tokyo.
Source: zennichi.or.jp

Princess Akiko's monthly Asahi article was posted on the 13th; January's topic is the rice cake.
 
Prisma said:
Princess Akiko has been hospitalized for cold and asthma attacks. IHA reported she has a fever on the evening of the 3rd and was admitted to Kyoto Prefectural Medical University Hospital on the morning of the 4th. As researcher at Kyoto Sangyo University Institute for Japanese Culture, Princess Akiko travels frequently to Kyoto and was spending the year-end holidays there.

Sources: Sankei, Asahi

ETA: Princess Akiko hospitalized for high fever, asthma - The Mainichi
Click to expand...

Have the other members of the Mikasa and Takamado families taken up occupations as well?
 
Tatiana Maria said:
Have the other members of the Mikasa and Takamado families taken up occupations as well?
Click to expand...
Princess Yoko worked for Japanese Red Cross Society from December 2006 to November 2012 and she's President of the Social Welfare Organization "Yuaijujikai" but I'm not sure if that's an honorary role or an active one.
Princess Tsuguko currently works for UNICEF Japan.
No idea about Princess Noriko before her marriage or Princess Ayako's plans since finishing grad school.
 
Members of the Imperial family attended the 100 days entombment ceremony on February 3rd at Toshiba Oka cemetery. The CP couple and Prince Hitachi attended an earlier ritual with family at the Mikasa residence.

Photos: Asahi

ETA: Princess Akiko's February article for Asahi is about Izumo mythology and rice.
 
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Princess Nobuko will give a lecture on the 18th at the JCI Kanazawa Conference. The 3-day event (17-19th) promotes UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).

Source: hokkoku.co.jp
 
Prisma said:
Princess Yoko visited Toyama and Ishikawa Prefectures October 12-13th. She attended the disability welfare charity "Prince Tomohito of Mikasa Memorial Cup 18th Hokuriku Welfare golf tournament", at the Golf Club Goldwin of Oyabe, Toyama.

Source: 47news.jp and Asahi's Imperial schedule
Click to expand...
Twitter photos surfaced of Princess Yoko's October visit to Toyama and Ishikawa. Looks like she also visited children and senior facilities:
https://twitter.com/KaiserinAIKO/status/830969528184033280
https://twitter.com/KaiserinAIKO/status/830968007522295808
 
Prisma said:
Princess Nobuko will give a lecture on the 18th at the JCI Kanazawa Conference. The 3-day event (17-19th) promotes UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).

Source: hokkoku.co.jp
Click to expand...

Princess Nobuko's special lecture was about culture transfer and introduced methods of using important tools at meals.

"It is not the Internet or smartphone, but people who live here actually see the real thing, touch and learn, [that] culture will be handed down." She pointed out that there is a thin understanding of culture among young people nationwide. In order to inherit culture, each citizen [should] deepens their knowledge of the local tradition, "You should create an environment that talks about culture within each family, otherwise the culture of Kanazawa will be lost from this place."

She also shared her grandmother’s wisdom: "When eating rice in a bowl with Wajima coat, spread thin radish slices at the bottom and eat with the radish, so the rice does not stick to the vessel and can be washed easily."

Princess Nobuko is honorary president of “N Project”.

Photos/info: Chunichi, hokkoku.co.jp, Yahoo.co.jp
 
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Princess Akiko visited Hokkaido February 18-21 to attend the 40th Miyazaki International Ski Marathon.
Source: dd.hokkaido-np.co.jp

On February 22nd, Princess Akiko had two events. She attended the Heisei 28 JKA Awards Ceremony in Minato, Tokyo.
Source: www.tokyo-sports.co.jp

She also visited the Akasaki exhibit at the Bunkamura Museum in Shibuya, Tokyo. About 180 items come from the collection of British collector Israel Goldman.
Videos: fnn-news, headlines.yahoo.co.jp

https://pbs.twimg.com/card_img/834442451716763648/GixhEb4h?format=jpg&name=600x314

The Israel Goldman Collection This is KyMsai! Celebrated Japanese artist | THE MUSEUM | Bunkamura
 
Prisma said:
Princess Akiko visited Hokkaido February 18-21 to attend the 40th Miyazaki International Ski Marathon.
Source: dd.hokkaido-np.co.jp

On February 22nd, Princess Akiko had two events. She attended the Heisei 28 JKA Awards Ceremony in Minato, Tokyo.
Source: www.tokyo-sports.co.jp

She also visited the Akasaki exhibit at the Bunkamura Museum in Shibuya, Tokyo. About 180 items come from the collection of British collector Israel Goldman.
Videos: fnn-news, headlines.yahoo.co.jp

https://pbs.twimg.com/card_img/834442451716763648/GixhEb4h?format=jpg&name=600x314

The Israel Goldman Collection This is KyMsai! Celebrated Japanese artist | THE MUSEUM | Bunkamura
Click to expand...

Is Princess Akiko very involved in sports?
 
I think so. Princess Akiko has attended various ski and disabled sporting events over the years. Probably influenced by her father's activities and then took over after his death.
 
On February 25th, Princess Nobuko visited the “Eternal Treasures from Kasuga Taisha Shrine” exhibition at Tokyo National Museum.
Photos 11,12 from Sankei Imperial Weekly #476
 
Princess Akiko visited Kagoshima Prefecture April 6-8 to attend the 50th anniversary commemorating the crew of battleship Yamato, which was sunk in the East China Sea on April 7, 1945. About 300 people including survivors and regional residents attended the ceremony. It was the first time in 48 years a member of the Imperial family attended the memorial; Prince Takamatsu represented in 1969.

Photos: 373news.com, amamishimbun.co.jp
https://twitter.com/373news_twit/status/850561364556791808
 
The IHA announced Princess Yoko might not attend the spring garden party on the 20th due to a right knee sprain. Last month, she was walking with a friend when she felt dizzy from anemia and fell hard on her knees. The pain has increased and Princess Yoko visited the IHA hospital for diagnosis yesterday; recovery will take about a month and her public service activities will be reevaluated.

Sources: Sankei, Asahi
 
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