The Mikasa Family Thread

[Ista]

That sounds like so.much.fun! I wonder if we will get to see photos of this?

 

[Prisma]

Most likely Shinyusha will update Facebook although it might be weeks or months later.

 

[Prisma]

A bit more on Princess Nobuko's November 19-21 Fukushima trip, she visited IHI Green Energy Center in Soma city on the 21st.
Photo: https://www.city.soma.fukushima.jp/topics_contents.asp?kijino=9405562

Princess Nobuko visited Osaka for the International Judo Federation (IJF) Grand Slam Osaka 2018 competition from November 23-26.

Photos: https://www.euronews.com/2018/11/23...-osaka-grand-slam-with-four-golds-out-of-four
https://www.ijf.org/news/show/osaka-grand-slam-2018-day-1-results

https://static.euronews.com/article...760b5-07e9-579e-8e98-9e71067c700b-3454792.jpg
https://res.cloudinary.com/duu3v9gf...up/2018/11/66podvip-1542975860-1542975861.jpg

 

[Prisma]

Princess Akiko attended NBTHK's Second National Convention on November 24, 2018.
NBTHK = Nippon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyōkai

Source: Blog TOUKEN MATSUMOTO, PURVEYORS OF AUTHENTIC JAPANESE SWORDS


Princess Yoko attended the 52nd Miyasama Charity Bowling Competition at Shinagawa Prince Hotel on November 25, 2018.

Screenshots:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dw-k92rUwAA31XB.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dw-lPuOU0AIxgas.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dw-lQ5MUUAA9PbF.jpg

 

[Prisma]

On January 12th, Princess Nobuko attended the 55th National University Rugby Championship at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo.

Sankei Imperial Weekly #574

https://twitter.com/x/status/1084028616780869635

https://www.sankei.com/images/news/190118/lif1901180001-p12.jpg

 

[Prisma]

Princess Akiko attended a traditional performance at Kioi Hall in Tokyo on November 6, 2018.

Photos: https://japo-net.or.jp/4398
https://japo-net.or.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/彬子女王殿下1.jpg
https://japo-net.or.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/彬子女王殿下2.jpg

The Japan-British Society Awards 2018 : The Japan-British Society

At the Society’s Annual Dinner on 4th December, H.I.H. Princess Akiko of Mikasa presented inscribed silverware to Ms. Miyako Yoshida and Mr. Robert Williams, the recipients of this year’s Japan-British Society Awards, for their contributions to the furthering of Anglo-Japanese relations.

Princess Akiko with traditional puppeteer Kiritake Kanjūrō in early January 2019.

Facebook post:

https://www.facebook.com/kanjurou/photos/a.1650130158592259/2215608732044396

 

[Prisma]

On January 24th, the IHA announced Princess Yuriko was hospitalized for influenza A at St. Luke's International Hospital. The 95-year-old princess has a 37 degree fever but no serious symptoms. She visited the hospital on the 22nd for fever as well. Princess Yuriko got the flu shot last November.

Hospitalization is a precaution due to her age; she is expected to stay about a week.

Source: Sankei

Wishing the princess a speedy recovery.

 

[Prisma]

Remember the rice Princess Akiko and Kokugakuin University students grew in Niigata Prefecture? On December 1, 2018, Princess Akiko dedicated some of that rice at the monthly festival at Kasuga Taisha Shrine in Nara Prefecture. With the local scouts, the group enjoyed a meal with rice cooked in bamboo stalks and did some dancing.

Facebook photos:

https://www.facebook.com/shinyusha/posts/2012271795554322

In early January, Princess Akiko visited Bunraku puppeteer Kiritake Kanjūrōu III.

Facebook photo

 

[Prisma]

[...] Princess Akiko's cultural organization Shinyusha will hold an enthronement clothing workshop on Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto on January 26, 2019. Titled "Welcome to world of costumes - Sokui no Rei," participants will learn about traditional Heian attire and get to wear the clothes.

Space is limited to 12 children
Deadline to apply: December 31, 2018
Approximate schedule for January 26:
12:30 reception
13:00 workshop starts
13:45 dressing begins
16:30 end
Attire: collar free clothes, pants. No skirts.

Facebook post/photo:

https://www.facebook.com/shinyusha/photos/a.235299476584905/1959800517468117

Update on this costume workshop!

The 12 elementary and junior high school students were divided into 4 booths where Princess Akiko and Shinyusha explained the role of costumes, the differences between Heian era clothes and actual clothing worn by the Imperial family nowadays (modern version is lighter). They also learned about Imperial family rituals and a game with clamshells. The 12 participants tried on a type of cotton, casual wear for Heian era aristocrats and everyone worshiped at Kamigamo Shrine.

Sources: Sankei, kyoto-np.co.jp

https://www.sankei.com/images/news/190127/lif1901270012-p1.jpg
https://www.kyoto-np.co.jp/picture/2019/01/20190126224403shouzoku500.jpg

 

[Prisma]

more photos from Sankei Imperial Weekly #576, Mainichi and Facebook photo

Princess Akiko also tried on a Jūnihitoe. She looks so ready for the enthronement! I hope to get a good view her in October. Might be tricky as she's the shortest of the princesses and since the government is following the same format as 1990, she'll end up hidden in the back row.

Unless the format changes, the only way she'll stand in the front row is if one of the Akishino princesses or her mother Nobuko don't attend... which is unlikely...

https://www.sankei.com/images/news/190201/prm1902010009-p11.jpg
https://www.sankei.com/images/news/190201/prm1902010009-p12.jpg
https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2019/01/29/20190129oog00m010030000p/9.jpg
https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=e94c1f1d42f4dfcff462dda3d159e315&oe=5CB7E74E

 

[eya]

Thanks Prisma!!

Princess Akiko is so lovely! And yes i don't think that she will be in fron row in October.

 

[Ista]

What wonderful photos, and don't the young people look as though they are having fun!

The Junhitoe is beautiful although I suspect you are right, and that is the closest we are likely to getting in seeing what she would wear for the enthronement. She is tiny.

 

[Prisma]

On February 9th, Princess Yuriko was discharged from St. Luke's International Hospital. She had been hospitalized since January 24 for influenza. Her temperature returned to normal within days; she stayed longer due to her advanced age and to recover muscle strength.

Sources: Mainichi, Sankei

 

[Prisma]

On January 20th, Princess Akiko and her cultural organization Shinyusha held a "Sumie ink wash painting" workshop with artist Tomoyuki Kambe at Hokkaidō Shrine in Sapporo, Hokkaido Prefecture.

The children learned about inks and techniques and then practiced for a bit before working as a group on a larger project. Everyone worshipped at the shrine afterward.

Photos:

https://www.facebook.com/shinyusha/posts/2035970433184458

 

[Ista]

Thanks for posting this. Akiko seems to be doing quite a few activities with children; is that a particular interest of hers?

 

[Prisma]

Thanks for posting this. Akiko seems to be doing quite a few activities with children; is that a particular interest of hers?

You're welcome! Yes, I think so. The goal of her organization Shinyusha is to teach the next generation about Japan's traditions and culture.

 

[Ista]

You're welcome! Yes, I think so. The goal of her organization Shinyusha is to teach the next generation about Japan's traditions and culture.

That is an excellent objective, and I'll be looking forward to seeing more of her activities. I did not know much about Akiko, but am really admiring her work and the way she presents herself.

 

[Prisma]

I'm checking the Shinyusha's Facebook page daily, hoping Princess Akiko or her team have posted about the costume workshop in January.

Family related news... Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso's latest gaffe blames childless people for the country's low birth rate and social security costs.

Taro Aso is Princess Nobuko's older brother and thus uncle to Princesses Akiko and Yoko. Hmph. I wonder how much he dislikes the fact his nieces are still unmarried and childless.

Japan finance minister Aso sorry for criticizing the childless - The Mainichi

EDITORIAL: Aso's offensive remark reflects mentality of Abe administration: The Asahi Shimbun

Although Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso retracted and apologized for his latest offensive comment, he must have meant exactly what he said.

Referring to the nation’s low birthrate and inexorable graying of the population during a political debriefing session in Fukuoka Prefecture on Feb. 3, Aso stated: “There are too many screwballs who blame senior citizens (for those problems), but they are wrong. On the contrary, the problem lies with people who didn’t bear, or are not bearing, any children.”

[...]

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Family related news... Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso's latest gaffe blames childless people for the country's low birth rate and social security costs.

Taro Aso is Princess Nobuko's older brother and thus uncle to Princesses Akiko and Yoko. Hmph. I wonder how much he dislikes the fact his nieces are still unmarried and childless.

Japan finance minister Aso sorry for criticizing the childless - The Mainichi

EDITORIAL: Aso's offensive remark reflects mentality of Abe administration: The Asahi Shimbun

I'm surprised ... by the apology, given that (if I'm not mistaken) he hasn't apologized for most of his earlier (and more provoking) gaffes, including his comments on the assorted nepotism and sexual harassment scandals in his ministry and the prime minister's office last year. E.g.,

Taro Aso repeats comment on alleged sexual harassment that sparked nationwide protest one day earlier | The Japan Times
Taro Aso's sexist remarks voted as worst in 2018 in online survey:The Asahi Shimbun

As Mako and Kei Komuro's engagement continues to be delayed, I've wondered which failings of Kayo Komuro make her a less unacceptable in-law for the imperial family than Taro Aso ...

 

[Ista]

I'm checking the Shinyusha's Facebook page daily, hoping Princess Akiko or her team have posted about the costume workshop in January.

Family related news... Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Taro Aso's latest gaffe blames childless people for the country's low birth rate and social security costs.

Taro Aso is Princess Nobuko's older brother and thus uncle to Princesses Akiko and Yoko. Hmph. I wonder how much he dislikes the fact his nieces are still unmarried and childless.

Japan finance minister Aso sorry for criticizing the childless - The Mainichi

EDITORIAL: Aso's offensive remark reflects mentality of Abe administration: The Asahi Shimbun

This is anecdotal, but perhaps can lend a tiny bit of context to Taro Aso's unfortunate, but probably intentional remarks: there is increasing awareness and concern in Japan about the declining birth rate. It was something we heard discussed frequently and read about while we were in Japan. Everyone we talked to was very conscious that the current level of health care and other benefits would not be sustainable unless there was a greater influx of young workers to contribute to it. Right now, more and more people are choosing to have fewer children, and there is a lot of concern about that.

So, while Aso's comments are offensive, they are putting into words something that is a genuine concern of a lot of people, not just the conservative and traditionalist elements of Abe's party.

 

[Prisma]

Yes, Taro Aso is voicing a legitimate concern yet blaming/shaming young people or women into having children isn't the solution. It's also irresponsible to have children without stable finances, housing, etc. PM Shinzo Abe's policies encouraging women to rejoin or stay in the workforce has seen limited success.

Princess Akiko visited Nagano Prefecture February 19-21 for the Chichibunomiya Cup 92nd All Japan Student Ski Championship.

2 blurry faraway photos...
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=821233174884293&set=pcb.821238188217125&type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2029851447093457&set=pcb.2029866293758639&type=3&theater

Princess Nobuko visited Ishikawa Prefecture February 21-22 to attend the 2019 JCI Kanazawa Conference.

https://www.facebook.com/teresap621/posts/2483640238377712

https://www.facebook.com/zacharias.cheng/posts/10156023006076269

JCI Kanazawa Conference 2019 [February 22 (Fri) - 24 (Sun) in 2019]

This forum is held with the theme of "Working women for women". Even though there are more opportunities for women at workplace lately, it is also true that work place is not yet a women friendly workplace.
By families and workplaces, each one recognizes each other, deepening comprehensive understanding leads to a rich society. From the view point of Princess Tomohito of Mikasa and women executives from local corporations approach the meaning, achievement, impact and other possibility of women success.

 

[Prisma]

On December 18, 2018, Princess Akiko visited the Tsudanuma Campus of Chiba Institute of Technology where she toured the Planetary Exploration Research Center (PERC), Future Robotics Technology Center (fuRo), and other facilities.

PERC is conducting collaborative research with the Japanese Institute of Anatolian Archaeology, which is conducting an excavation survey of Kaman-Kalehöyük ruins. A director of PERC attended Princess Akiko's inauguration ceremony as President of the Prince Mikasa Memorial Foundation when she visited Turkey in September. The foundation supports research activities on archeology, culture and history in the Anatolia region.

Photos: it-chiba.ac.jp

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D0o1hn7UYAA9oPa.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D0o1in6VsAAgp0c.jpg

 

[Prisma]

Hurray! Shinyusha posted on 2 January workshops.

January 26: "Welcome to world of costumes - Sokui no Rei" at Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto

Shinyusha and Kyoto Sangyo University students spent about half a year planning and organizing this workshop (reminder: just for 12 children!). The goal was to make the enthronement "Sokui no Rei" feel closer to children. This will be last workshop for some 4th year Kyoto Sangyo University students before graduation.

Photos:

https://www.facebook.com/shinyusha/posts/2079107025537465

January 27: desktop calendar at Tokyo Daijingū

Elementary school students and adults created calendars using Ise-katagami, a traditional paper stencil craft for dyeing textiles from Mie Prefecture.

Photos:

https://www.facebook.com/shinyusha/posts/2079178805530287

Princess Akiko's book "Japanese Art: Untold Stories Last Artisans" was published on February 27th. Click the orange/white eyes button below the cover thumbnail to view a 9-page preview at https://www.shogakukan.co.jp/books/09388667

Her earlier book "Japanese Art: Untold Stories" was published on December 15, 2015. 7-page preview at https://www.shogakukan.co.jp/books/09388454

Both books cost 4000 yen ($36USD) and are 272 pages.

 

[Ista]

Hurray! Shinyusha posted on 2 January workshops.

January 26: "Welcome to world of costumes - Sokui no Rei" at Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto

Shinyusha and Kyoto Sangyo University students spent about half a year planning and organizing this workshop (reminder: just for 12 children!). The goal was to make the enthronement "Sokui no Rei" feel closer to children. This will be last workshop for some 4th year Kyoto Sangyo University students before graduation.

Photos:

https://www.facebook.com/shinyusha/posts/2079107025537465

January 27: desktop calendar at Tokyo Daijingū

Elementary school students and adults created calendars using Ise-katagami, a traditional paper stencil craft for dyeing textiles from Mie Prefecture.

Photos:

https://www.facebook.com/shinyusha/posts/2079178805530287

Princess Akiko's book "Japanese Art: Untold Stories Last Artisans" was published on February 27th. Click the orange/white eyes button below the cover thumbnail to view a 9-page preview at https://www.shogakukan.co.jp/books/09388667

Her earlier book "Japanese Art: Untold Stories" was published on December 15, 2015. 7-page preview at https://www.shogakukan.co.jp/books/09388454

Both books cost 4000 yen ($36USD) and are 272 pages.

I love the photos, it really looks as though they were well thought out workshops, and as though the people involved had a wonderful time.

The more I read about Princess Akiko, the more I am appreciating her. Her interest in traditional Japanese arts, skills and traditions is admirable, and very worthwhile. She seems to have found a way to use her Imperial status to make a meaningful contribution, and that is a very tricky thing to manage.

 

[Prisma]

On March 18th, Princess Nobuko attended the 70th anniversary ceremony of the Japan Psychiatric Hospital Association at the Palace Hotel Tokyo.

Photos:

https://www.facebook.com/mkawano2416/posts/1096418573874075

On March 18th, Princess Akiko attended the graduation ceremony at Dazaifu Tenmangu kindergarten. Her cultural organization Shinyusha hosted Japanese tea and sweets workshops for the children during the school year.

Photos:

https://www.facebook.com/shinyusha/posts/2093763387405162

Ista, me too! I wish she got more recognition!

ETA: On March 19th, Princess Akiko attended the opening of the special exhibition "2019 Turkish Culture Year: The Treasures and the Tradition of "Lâle" in the Ottoman Empire" at the National Art Center in Tokyo.

Photos:

https://www.facebook.com/MehmetErsoyTR/posts/571446566693335

https://www.instagram.com/p/BvL0LM5HWot/

https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/dunya/japo...juUDWcu16CyK_zFiWsVZ5oth-LPwxjkxzCDOT23-lJdeA

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Princess Akiko also tried on a Jūnihitoe. She looks so ready for the enthronement! I hope to get a good view her in October. Might be tricky as she's the shortest of the princesses and since the government is following the same format as 1990, she'll end up hidden in the back row.

Unless the format changes, the only way she'll stand in the front row is if one of the Akishino princesses or her mother Nobuko don't attend... which is unlikely...

https://www.sankei.com/images/news/190201/prm1902010009-p11.jpg
https://www.sankei.com/images/news/190201/prm1902010009-p12.jpg
https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2019/01/29/20190129oog00m010030000p/9.jpg
https://scontent-sjc3-1.xx.fbcdn.ne...=e94c1f1d42f4dfcff462dda3d159e315&oe=5CB7E74E

Princess Akiko, with Kabuki actors Nakamura Kankurō VI and Nakamura Shichinosuke II, held a workshop on October 27th for 250 children and adults at Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine in Kyoto. They are sons of late Kabuki actor Nakamura Kanzaburō XVIII, who was a close friend of Prince Tomohito. Both fathers died in 2012.

In the opening greetings, Akiko dedicated Kabuki at Kitano Tenman-gu Shrine and became emotional, wiping away tears.

January 26: "Welcome to world of costumes - Sokui no Rei" at Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto

Shinyusha and Kyoto Sangyo University students spent about half a year planning and organizing this workshop (reminder: just for 12 children!). The goal was to make the enthronement "Sokui no Rei" feel closer to children. This will be last workshop for some 4th year Kyoto Sangyo University students before graduation.

She radiates good nature and approachability in the pictures of her interactions with the children. ?

I appreciate your mentioning these easily missed details (wiping away tears, working half a year to prepare for 12 children), because they communicate a profound sense that Akiko and her colleagues' activities are far from superficial and they are truly dedicated to their mission of educating the next generation to preserve precious traditions.

The 12 elementary and junior high school students were divided into 4 booths where Princess Akiko and Shinyusha explained the role of costumes, the differences between Heian era clothes and actual clothing worn by the Imperial family nowadays (modern version is lighter). They also learned about Imperial family rituals and a game with clamshells. The 12 participants tried on a type of cotton, casual wear for Heian era aristocrats and everyone worshiped at Kamigamo Shrine.

I wasn't aware of that - I wonder if the imperial family has been able to keep to so many traditions because of (and not in spite of) pragmatic innovations such as designing lighter versions of traditional clothing.

ETA: On March 19th, Princess Akiko attended the opening of the special exhibition "2019 Turkish Culture Year: The Treasures and the Tradition of "Lâle" in the Ottoman Empire" at the National Art Center in Tokyo.

On December 18, 2018, Princess Akiko visited the Tsudanuma Campus of Chiba Institute of Technology where she toured the Planetary Exploration Research Center (PERC), Future Robotics Technology Center (fuRo), and other facilities.

PERC is conducting collaborative research with the Japanese Institute of Anatolian Archaeology, which is conducting an excavation survey of Kaman-Kalehöyük ruins. A director of PERC attended Princess Akiko's inauguration ceremony as President of the Prince Mikasa Memorial Foundation when she visited Turkey in September. The foundation supports research activities on archeology, culture and history in the Anatolia region.

Whatever interrelation exists between planetary exploration and Anatolian ancient ruins, it has the sound of a concept which only an erudite academic (that is, Princess Akiko ) could hope to comprehend, but it sounds intriguing.

She seems to be hitting the ground running with programs relating to Anatolia/Turkey. I wonder if Turkey left a lasting impression on her or vice versa.

The more I read about Princess Akiko, the more I am appreciating her. Her interest in traditional Japanese arts, skills and traditions is admirable, and very worthwhile. She seems to have found a way to use her Imperial status to make a meaningful contribution, and that is a very tricky thing to manage.

I am in full agreement with you, Ista. Thank you to Prisma for keeping us informed regarding her activities, since the Mikasas and Takamados regrettably may as well not exist as far as the Western press is concerned.

Princess Akiko attended NBTHK's Second National Convention on November 24, 2018.
NBTHK = Nippon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyōkai

Source: Blog TOUKEN MATSUMOTO, PURVEYORS OF AUTHENTIC JAPANESE SWORDS

Quite the educational blog - the procedure of cleaning a sword takes up an entire page of instructions. I wonder about the Meiji government's motive for outlawing the bearing of swords in public in 1867. Perhaps there was concern from the modern young nation-state about the connotations of the outdated feudal system?

Princess Nobuko visited Ishikawa Prefecture February 21-22 to attend the 2019 JCI Kanazawa Conference.

https://www.facebook.com/teresap621/posts/2483640238377712

https://www.facebook.com/zacharias.cheng/posts/10156023006076269

JCI Kanazawa Conference 2019 [February 22 (Fri) - 24 (Sun) in 2019]

This forum is held with the theme of "Working women for women". Even though there are more opportunities for women at workplace lately, it is also true that work place is not yet a women friendly workplace.
By families and workplaces, each one recognizes each other, deepening comprehensive understanding leads to a rich society. From the view point of Princess Tomohito of Mikasa and women executives from local corporations approach the meaning, achievement, impact and other possibility of women success.

Perhaps she snapped a few photographs/videos to send to her brother ...

 

[Prisma]

[...] I am in full agreement with you, Ista. Thank you to Prisma for keeping us informed regarding her activities, since the Mikasas and Takamados regrettably may as well not exist as far as the Western press is concerned.

[...]

Perhaps she snapped a few photographs/videos to send to her brother ...

You're welcome! The Mikasas and Takamados barely exist for the Japanese media as well, expect for wedding news. Occasionally Sankei or Mainichi will cover an event for Princess Akiko or Hisako. I have more luck searching social network or the event/organizer's website.

I wonder about gatherings with the Aso side of the family. Maybe everyone's polite and avoids the women empowerment subject or simply sighs/eye rolls at Taro Aso's latest gaffe.


On March 1st, Princess Nobuko attended the 23rd Women's Health and Working Styles Forum / Women's Health and Work-Life Balance Awards ceremony at the Japan Press Center in Tokyo.

Princess Nobuko is honorary president of Women's Healthcare Awareness & Menopause Network. The forum featured lectures on a lifestyle's effect on the brain, menopause and the lack of understanding about hormones and menstrual disorders.

This year's winners:
Covidien Japan: promotes diversity, 90% paid leave, partners with childcare facilities, supports childcare expenses, allows telework system to balance childcare, nursing, and career; setup childcare facilities for women doctors so they can receive surgical training
DoCoMo Healthcare: 50% female with 25% in management, develops apps for women's heath
Marui Kenpo: 50% female, promotes women's health literacy, encourages wellness meetings and women's medical exams

Photos: www.meno-sg.net/?p=3396

 

[Prisma]

On March 24th, Princess Akiko and her cultural organization Shinyusha held a "Kutani Seal pottery decoration" workshop at Samukawa Shrine in Samukawa, Kanagawa Prefecture.

Photos:

https://www.facebook.com/shinyusha/posts/2108769379237896

 

[Prisma]

Princess Akiko's cultural organization Shinyusha redesigned their website!

https://shinyusha.or.jp

Shinyusha also has a mascot, Yukihime-chan and sticker for Japan's texting app LINE

Yuki = snow, Princess Akiko's personal emblem
hime = usually translated as "princess" although another translation is a young lady of higher birth
chan = common honorific for children, girls, and things cute

 

[eya]

Thank you Prisma!! What a lovely mascot!!!