Princess Aiko News and Current Events Part 4: January 2021 -

[Prinsara]

I wonder how true that comment is to her genuine feelings. I think many of those who have followed the imperial family have speculated that it cannot have been entirely easy growing up with a mother struggling with serious adjustment disorder, a father in open conflict with his family, bullying at school, harsh comments from the public online, and whatever stress or illness led to the temporary but sudden weight loss during her teenage years.

I think it’s a credit to her parents and a mark of her own character that while there have undoubtedly been struggles and difficult times, Aiko still believes (with some justification) that she was raised very securely, lovingly, and free from the worries of most people, and perhaps that’s the feeling she keeps in mind rather than dwelling on the rougher parts.

 

[Michiru-Kaiou]

I think the latter may be the first public comment from Princess Aiko which was not dictated by tradition (unless there is a Japanese cultural allusion I am overlooking). Funny and relatable.

There is a cultural thing to it. In Japan it's (mostly) okay to sleep anywhere, even at your desk at work. The background is if you're working yourself into exhaustion you are considered a good, hard-working employee, who works until he literally drops on the spot. People in Japan generally don't sleep much, work hard, don't have much vacation, so they use every opportunity they get for a nap, mostly on the train commuting to work and back.

best wishes Michiru

 

[Prisma]

According to an interview with TV Tokyo, the Imperial Household Agency did not request budget for Princess Aiko's tiara for the next fiscal year. A senior official cited Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako's consideration for the people’s difficulties amid the pandemic. FY2023 budget requests are due at the end of August.
Source: https://txbiz.tv-tokyo.co.jp/txn/news_txn/post_256506

Yea... not surprising. She can continue to borrow aunt Sayako's tiara. It's already been adjusted for Aiko's head and there's no tiara-wearing occasion in the near future anyway. I assume 2023 New Year receptions will be tiara-less again.


On July 25th, the IHA released 2 photos of Princess Aiko's personal sericulture work, an annual activity since elementary school. She also helped her mother’s sericulture at the Momijiyama Imperial Cocoonery this year.
Photos: https://www.fnn.jp/articles/-/393854

NTV reports the photos were taken on June 16 at the Imperial residence and Aiko divided the silkworms into 2 groups for better survival in case she got sick. She started mid-May and both groups have grown steadily.

I wonder what happens to her personal sericulture all these years. Are her cocoons made into silk as well?

Princess Aiko Tends Silkworms in Japanese Imperial Family Tradition | Nippon.com

... Aiko has helped raise silkworms since she was in elementary school. Now a university student, she is busy with her studies, but as her classes are held online, she used her free time between lessons to tend the larvae ...

 

[Prisma]

Princess Aiko will not visit Ise Jingu anytime soon. An aide to Their Majesties reported the news on November 18, citing the example of Sayako Kuroda who did not visit Ise Jingu when reaching adulthood in 1989. While Imperial family members often visit Ise Jingu for milestones, it is not necessary for female members.

There has been anticipation whether Princess Aiko would visit for her coming-of-age (and the pandemic easing). Prince Hisahito visited Ise Jingu privately on October 1.

Source: https://txbiz.tv-tokyo.co.jp/txn/news_txn/post_263191

I'm not sure if Sayako visited any earlier but she visited Ise Jingu in May 1993: Getty Images

 

[Prisma]

Princess Aiko turns 21 on December 1

Photos: Asahi, Mainichi (includes photos of the past year)

Photos and video were taken at the Imperial Palace stables on November 21. The horses are used for foreign ambassador credential presentation ceremonies if they choose the carriage option.

Since coming of age last year, Princess Aiko has been attending court rituals and continuing online classes at university. She’s a 3rd year at the Department of Japanese Language and Literature, Faculty of Letters, Gakushuin University. She prepared thoroughly for her postponed coming-of-age press conference in March, creating a manuscript and practicing up to the event.

While the pandemic has limited activities, Princess Aiko attended a gagaku concert with her cousin Princess Kako and visited Tokyo National Museum with her parents recently. She raised silkworms and cultivated tomatoes, cucumbers, paprika, and ginger at the Imperial residence with her parents and staff. Recreation activities include walks, tennis, badminton, and volleyball. Of course, Aiko continues to take care of dog Yuri and cats Mii and Seven. She watched the 50th anniversary of Okinawa’s reversion to Japan ceremony and felt nostalgic hearing about her parents reunion with child reporters when Their Majesties returned from Okinawa.

I'm pleasantly surprised about the stables. I was expecting walk with Yuri in the gardens.

 

[Somebody]

Is this in any way a normal dress for a 21 year old in Japan? It looks very old-fashioned to me - but who knows how fashion evolves...

 

[Prisma]

Well, Princess Kako at 26 wore something similar last year for Mako's 30th birthday photos. Kako's V dress was shorter though with different top underneath.

https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2021/10/24/20211024hpe00m0na004000q/9.jpg

 

[Ista]

I think there's working dress, and then what they wear in private. We've seen that what the girls and young women in the Imperial family wear when they are acting in official capacity can be quite different from when the press catches them in their private life. I see what Aiko is wearing here as part of her working wardrobe, who knows what she wears to see friends or at home.

Aiko certainly looks as though she's enjoying the horses, it's a nice change of pace from the standard walking-the-dog photos we usually get.

 

[valeas]

Is this in any way a normal dress for a 21 year old in Japan? It looks very old-fashioned to me - but who knows how fashion evolves...

The emperor's family cannot be compared to commonors or european monarchys concerning fashion&style. Court&protocol reigns them

 

[Prisma]

On December 1st, Princess Aiko visited her grandparents for birthday greetings at the Sento Imperial residence (and her former home aka Togu Palace). She arrived at Akasaka Estate around 5:30pm.

Afterwards, she returned to the Imperial residence to receive greetings from IHA staff with Emperor Naruhito. Empress Masako, who was originally scheduled to attend as well, was unable to attend due to poor health according to Kyodo.

TBS reports the necklace pendant Aiko wore for the 21st birthday photos was a gift from Gakushuin junior and senior high school friends.

Photos: AP Images, Getty Images, Sankei, FNN

English articles

Princess Aiko, daughter of Emperor and Empress, turns 21 - The Japan News

[...]

Over the year, Princess Aiko took part in a New Year’s celebration ceremonies and court rituals among other events as an adult member of the Imperial family for the first time, preparing for these events with all her heart and learning about etiquette from the Emperor and Empress in advance.

In terms of academics, Princess Aiko advanced to the junior year of the Department of Japanese Language and Literature at Gakushuin University’s Faculty of Letters this year. As her course becomes more specialized, she is studying various Japanese literature classics such as “The Tale of Genji,” “Shin Kokin Wakashu” (New Collection of Ancient and Modern Poems) and “Tales of Uji Shui.”

Princess Aiko has been taking online lessons due to the coronavirus pandemic. She is grateful for the efforts of medical workers and others, and hopes that people will soon be able to return to their daily lives with peace of mind, as many people are still wary of going out.

[...]

Princess Aiko turns 21, continues duties as imperial member - Kyodo News

[...]

When Japan marked the 50th anniversary of Okinawa's reversion to Japan from U.S. administration after World War II, Princess Aiko watched the ceremony on television. She had borrowed books related to Okinawa's history from her father to deepen her understanding prior to the event.

In October, the emperor and empress visited Okinawa for the first time after his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne in 2019 to offer flowers to those who perished in the battle of Okinawa at the end of the war. Princess Aiko has listened to the couple talk about it and has renewed her hope for peace, according to the agency.

The family observed the total lunar eclipse in early November from the palace.

[...]

Japanese Princess Aiko Turns 21 | Nippon.com

[...]

For her first-ever press conference in March, the princess spent a lot of time preparing notes and practiced until the last minute. At the press conference, she said that "I would like to cherish each of my duties and perform them as hard as possible."

Princess Aiko turns 21, enjoys her studies, pets and volleyball | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

[...]

Aiko also watched ceremonies on TV, such as the 50th anniversary of Okinawa’s reversion to Japan from U.S. rule, which her parents attended online, and the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, which her parents attended in person.

After the imperial couple returned from their visits to Britain in September and to Okinawa in October, Aiko heard stories from them about the places, according to the agency.

At the family’s residence at the Imperial Palace, Aiko has grown tomatoes, cucumbers, paprika, ginger and other vegetables, which she harvested with her parents and Imperial Household Agency staff.

[...]

Aiko raised silkworms again this year, a tradition of the Japanese imperial family.

She also continues to care for her dog Yuri and her cats, Mii and Seven, the agency said.

 

[W.Y.CII]

Is this in any way a normal dress for a 21 year old in Japan? It looks very old-fashioned to me - but who knows how fashion evolves...

As fellow Asian I would say it's common style and trend (maybe with a little more colour or pattern, little tighter and shorter?), long outer vest dress with a sweater or blouse is quite popular among the young, comfortable and practical but not too casual, could be paired with a pair of flats like the JIF ladies, short boots or even sneakers. At least I saw many girls and ladies wear such outfit on the street everyday. (Could be not accurate though as I'm already not a part of young generation ). But that's definitely not JIF working outfit (if so it would be a suit in pastel colour and uncomfortable fabric lol).

 

[Prisma]

On December 20th, Princess Aiko attended in-person classes at Gakushuin University for the first time. After classes ended around 3:30pm, she waved to bystanders on her way back to the Imperial residence.

Aiko has been attending remote classes since starting university due to the pandemic although she went to campus for a guidance session in October 2020.

Videos: NTV, FNN

TBS reports Princess Aiko was on campus for about 5 hours on December 20 and went to campus from 10:30am on the 21st. A close aide said it's undecided whether Aiko will continue going to class in-person or online.

 

[Prisma]

Princess Aiko will attend classes at Gakushuin University in April when she starts her 4th year. She attended online classes for 3 years due to the pandemic except for a guidance session in October 2020 and a few in-person classes late last year. She will be working on her graduation thesis.

Also, Gakushuin University announced its policy for the next academic year that limits online classes to some subjects while focusing on in-person classes.

Sources: FNN, NTV

 

[Prisma]

After 3 years of mostly online classes, Princess Aiko began her final year with in-person classes at Gakushuin University in Toshima Ward, Tokyo on April 12.

She arrived on campus around 10:30am and was approached by media before going to a lecture on Japanese literature. "I hope to have a good learning experience on this green campus during my last year at university," she told reporters.

According to the Imperial Household Agency, Princess Aiko has been taking more specialized classes since she was in the third year, reading various classics such as "The Tale of Genji", "Shin Kokin Wakashu" and "Oku no Hosomichi."

Photos: Asahi, Mainichi, AP Images, AFPBB, FNN, TBS, NTV

https://twitter.com/x/status/1645983895073218560

Japan’s Princess Aiko Returns to University Campus - The Japan News

[...]

Gakushuin resumed primarily in-person classes from this academic year.

[...]

“I hope to have a good learning experience during my final year at the university on this rich green campus,” the princess told reporters.

 

[Prisma]

The Imperial Household Agency will not request funds for Princess Aiko's tiara in 2024's budget request.

The agency explained that it took into account public sentiment and the feelings of Their Majesties amid high prices for postponing again. 2 years ago amid the pandemic, the agency said it would not request funds for a parure usually given to princesses at coming-of-age but would request at a future date. Princess Aiko has been borrowing the tiara of her aunt Sayako Kuroda, former Princess Nori, which was created before state funds were used for coming-of-age parures. The IHA warehouse has 8 unused tiaras such as Mako Komuro's tiara, which was returned on marriage.

Requests for next year's budget will close at the end of August.

Source: https://txbiz.tv-tokyo.co.jp/txn/news_txn/post_279158

 

[Prisma]

On August 4th, Princess Aiko privately visited Tokyo National Museum after 5:30pm to see the exhibition "Meigetsuki: The Diary of Fujiwara no Teika and his Calligraphy." She is working on her graduation thesis for next spring.

Video: NTV

TOKYO NATIONAL MUSEUM - Exhibitions and Events Regular Exhibitions Japanese Gallery (Honkan) Meigetsuki: The Diary of Fujiwara no Teika and his Calligraphy

Fujiwara no Teika (1162–1241), a court noble and poet of the Kamakura period (1192–1333), established an original and influential style of calligraphy that came to be admired by later generations. Meigetsuki (The Record of the Clear Moon) is a diary Teika recorded in throughout his life. In addition to the nearly eighty volumes of his own handwritten manuscripts that are still extant, there are also numerous fragments of his calligraphy. These fragments reveal much about Teika’s views and attitude towards calligraphy.

[...]

 

[Prisma]

Princess Aiko turns 22 on December 1.

Birthday photos and video were taken at the Imperial Household Agency Archives on November 24. She's browsing classical works "Mushi-Sugoroku-no-waka" (Sugoroku based on the tale of insects and animals) and the oldest extant manuscript of "Hyakunin Isshu," an anthology of one hundred Japanese waka by one hundred poets.

The illustrated "Mushi-Sugoroku-no-waka" is believed to have been created during the Edo period and the "Hyakunin Isshu" is from the Muromachi period.

Photos: Asahi, Sankei, Nikkansports, Mainichi (includes other photos)

https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/activity/activity/02/activity02-r051201ph3.html

NHK reports Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were present at the photo/video session and afterwards, the family viewed the collection with explanations from archive staff.

Full statement via NTV
- recap of past year activities: resuming in-person classes at Gakushuin University, more public appearances with pandemic easing, etc.
- experiencing a fuller university life, reuniting with friends, etc. after 3 years of remote learning
- busy preparing graduation thesis, visits to archives, library, etc.
- caring for dog Yuri and cats Mii and Seven
- expanding interests in Japanese Red Cross Society, arts & crafts, traditional culture, etc.
- her own sericulture between classes from May to June, assisted Empress Masako with Imperial sericulture
- attends court rituals as much as possible
- family cultivated vegetables in the garden: Chinese cabbage, cucumbers, eggplants, green peppers, okra, lion tang, peanuts, basil, and more.
- physically active: strolls with parents or plays tennis, volleyball, or badminton outdoors with the staff

Princess Aiko turns 22, balances studies with official duties - Kyodo News

[...]

Her official duties have allowed the princess to connect with the history and traditions of the imperial family, reaffirming her understanding of its responsibilities, according to the Imperial Household Agency.

Currently a fourth-year student at Gakushuin University's Faculty of Letters, the princess has been studying on campus in person since last spring after attending classes online during the coronavirus pandemic.

She has been taking various courses, including welfare and physical education, and deepening her knowledge of the literature and poetry of the Heian, Kamakura, Edo and Meiji eras. She has recently been spending her free hours working on her thesis, the agency said.

[...]

The princess in October joined her parents on a visit to the Japanese Red Cross Society headquarters for an exhibition marking the centenary of the Great Kanto Earthquake. She laid flowers at a cenotaph dedicated to doctors and nurses who died in wars or disasters while serving, her first time officially offering a floral tribute.

She said she was nervous for her first appearance at a public New Year greeting event at the Imperial Palace early in 2023, but gradually became acclimated to the atmosphere and was relieved when the event went smoothly, according to the agency.

At the palace, the princess has been taking care of her dog "Yuri" and cats "Mii" and "Seven," and has also grown vegetables, including Chinese cabbages, cucumbers and eggplants, which she ate with her family.

[...]

Japan's Princess Aiko turns 22 | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

[...]

The Princess has been increasing her duties as an adult member of the Imperial family. She took part for the first time in a New Year event with the Imperial family to greet the general public at the Imperial Palace. She also appeared with the Imperial family to celebrate the Emperor's birthday in February. She has been attending meetings to discuss issues regarding the Imperial family.

[...]

Princess Aiko's interests range from Japan's traditional arts to social welfare activities. She visited an exhibition of art works on Japanese scenery at the Tokyo National Museum. She also viewed an exhibition of materials on rescue operations after the 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake at the Japan Red Cross Society.

[...]

A birthday celebration will be held at the Imperial Palace.

 

[Prisma]

On December 1st, Princess Aiko visited the Emeritus couple at Sento Imperial residence for birthday greetings. She entered Akasaka Estate before 5pm, staying about 30 minutes and then returned to the Imperial residence to receive greetings from IHA staff and others with her parents.

Photos: Sankei, AFLO Images, FNN

https://twitter.com/x/status/1730541638332915889

 

[Prisma]

The Imperial Household Agency reported Princess Aiko submitted her graduation thesis on December 20. The essay was written on several dozen A4 pages and although the title has not been disclosed, the theme is "Medieval Japanese Poetry (waka)." She collected materials from the archives, library and Gakushuin University departments in preparation. Her dissertation will be reviewed and Princess Aiko still has exams and oral exam for her thesis in the future. There's much attention about what she'll do after graduating next spring.

For now, Princess Aiko finished classes on December 22 and she's on winter break.

Sources: NTV, Jiji, FNN

 

[Prisma]

On January 22nd, the Imperial Household Agency announced Princess Aiko will work at the Japanese Red Cross Society after graduating from Gakushuin University. She will be a part-time contract employee from April 1 and will perform official duties as an Imperial family member in earnest. Her work style has not been determined but it is assumed she will work at the JRCS headquarters.

The agency released her statement regarding the JRCS job offer:
"I am grateful to have been offered a job as a contract worker for the Japanese Red Cross Society starting April this year. I am happy and humbled to be able to work for the Japanese Red Cross, which I have always been interested in. I will continue to learn a variety of things and work hard with the awareness that I am a member of society, so I hope that I can be of some help to people and society, even if it is only in a small way."

Sources: Sankei, NTV, TV Tokyo, Jiji

Statement from Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako: NTV2
"We are grateful that Aiko has been accepted as a contract employee of the Japanese Red Cross Society. From this spring, she will continue her efforts to help many people by engaging in work as a member of the Japanese Red Cross, and we hope that she will grow as a member of society."

ETA: FNN captured Princess Aiko returning to the Imperial Palace around 5:30pm from university.

I guess the pandemic ended any opportunity to study abroad. Somehow, I doubt Aiko will work a few years and then pursue further education where she could study abroad.

 

[Prisma]

On February 1st, Princess Aiko visited the Japanese Red Cross Society headquarters in Tokyo for the first time since news of her upcoming contract job. There was an information session for prospective candidates. She arrived before 1pm and stayed about 5 hours.

Sources: NTV, Yomiuri

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Thank you for all the news posts, Prisma.

Reading the updates from Princess Aiko's birthday press conferences, I think it is very nice that she is diligently carrying on with traditional royal pursuits like sericulture and farming the palace gardens with family and staff, in addition of course to her choice of major and thesis at university. Now that the monarchy has become fully ceremonial and symbolic, preserving traditional arts and culture is an important part of its role. I hope she will someday have a chance to bond with her much-older cousin Princess Akiko over their shared interest in traditional arts. At the same time, I wonder if Prince Hisahito will be encouraged to concentrate more on "practical" subjects like politics when it is his turn.

Wearing a joint gift from her friends for her official 21st birthday photos is very sweet, and a promising sign that she has good friendships!

Quoting her 22nd birthday update: "She has been attending meetings to discuss issues regarding the Imperial family." Are these regularly scheduled formal family councils of some sort? Is anything known about their membership and what is discussed there?

This was a nice anecdote and hopefully typical of her relationship with her father and with royal duties: "When Japan marked the 50th anniversary of Okinawa's reversion to Japan from U.S. administration after World War II, Princess Aiko watched the ceremony on television. She had borrowed books related to Okinawa's history from her father to deepen her understanding prior to the events".

In general, it seems the princess has already completed her most intensive preparation (coaching from parents, participating in court rituals, viewing public engagements, learning the history and background behind royal duties) for becoming a working royal before formally becoming one, in contrast to many European royals (e.g. Christian of Denmark) who are given relatively high profile formal roles before they truly begin their "prince/ss school".

Prisma, what do you think about public opinions of Princess Aiko, based on what you have observed?

 

[Prisma]

Hi Tatiana Maria, I haven't forgotten about your post but I need to do more research before responding fully.

Off the top of my head, Princess Aiko is viewed positively by the general public. However, the Akishino family fans have been negatively comparing her to Mako, Kako and Hisahito: no solo events yet, slowness to participate in all New Year Lectures or Poetry, not yet visiting Ise Jingu or mausoleums to report coming-of-age, etc.

-----

Finally an update on visiting Ise Jingu and a mausoleum: Plans are underway for Princess Aiko to visit Ise Jingu in Mie Prefecture and Emperor Jimmu’s mausoleum in Nara Prefecture in late March. Sources say Aiko will report her university graduation and JRCS employment (and her coming-of-age by default, I suppose) during a 1 night, 2 day trip. It is customary for Imperial family members to report milestones at ancestral sites.

This will be Princess Aiko’s first solo visit to Ise Jingu and Emperor Jimmu's mausoleum. She visited with her parents in 2014 and 2016 respectively.

Sources: NTV, TBS

ETA: March 20 is graduation ceremony per 2023-2024 Calendar Gakushuin University (English)

 

[Prisma]

Princess Aiko will visit Mie and Nara Prefectures March 26-27.

March 26: travel to Mie and visit Ise Jingu (Geku and Naiku shrines) in the afternoon
March 27: visit Saiku Historical Museum and other sites in Mie before traveling to Nara to visit the Mausoleum of Emperor Jimmu

Sources: NTV, Sankei, FNN

 

[Prisma]

On March 20th, Princess Aiko attended the graduation ceremony at Gakushuin University in Toshima, Tokyo. She wore a sakura (cherry blossom) furisode kimono with navy blue hakama pants and briefly spoke to the press before the ceremony.

Photos: Mainichi, Nikkansports, Getty Images, AP Images

Asahi photo gallery of Princess Aiko from birth to university graduation

Written responses to questions from Imperial Household Press Association regarding her graduation: NTV, NHK

Summary:

• deep condolences for Noto Peninsula earthquake victims and hopes normal life will resume as soon as possible
• gratitude to teachers, university staff, friends, parents
• challenges of remote learning for 3 years due to pandemic
• resuming in-person classes in 4th year and on-campus student life, how precious such experiences are that she had previously taken for granted
• while taking a class on medieval waka poetry, Princess Aiko was impressed by the beauty and variety of interpretations of waka poetry
• graduation thesis on "Study of Princess Shokushi and her waka poems"
• Princess Shokushi was a leading female poet during the medieval period
• currently not thinking about future studies
• "... [from April], I will be working as a contract employee for the Japanese Red Cross Society, so while fulfilling my duties as a member of the Imperial family, I will be able to contribute to society. I would like to strive to balance public duties and work so that I can be of some help to society, with a sense of self-awareness and responsibility as a person."

Princess Aiko, 22, Attends Graduation Ceremony at Gakushuin University

<p>Princess Aiko, 22, the daughter of the Emperor and Empress, attend her graduation ceremony at the Gakushuin University in the Mejiro district, Toshima Ward, Tokyo, on Wednesday morning.</p>

japannews.yomiuri.co.jp

When asked by the press about her reflection of university life, she replied with a smile: “I have learned many new things and spent a fulfilling four years. I am also happy and grateful to have met wonderful teachers and friends.”

https://twitter.com/x/status/1770260883727679663

 

[Blog Real]

Many congratulations to Princess Aiko. Aiko is very pretty and friendly.

 

[Saragli]

She is such a lovely blend of both her parents. Many congratulations to her. I'm sure she doesn't want it but what a lovely Empress she'd make.

 

[Adda]

Congratulations!!!!

 

[Somebody]

It seems she is carving out a role for herself with her work at the Red Cross. In some ways she is a bit like spares elsewhere. Expected to do royal (in her case imperial) duties but also knowing that her role will change over time; in her case because upon marriage she will cease to be a member of the imperial family.

I had to look up what she studied (as most of the answers were very generic and didn't really give us any insight in what she really thinks and learned): Japanese language and literature.

 

[Prisma]

Takafumi Nakano, Professor of Medieval Japanese Literature at Gakushuin University, was Princess Aiko's advisor for her graduation thesis "Study of Princess Shokushi and her waka poems"

• He addressed her as "Toshinomiya-san" and treated her like any other student
• In her 3rd year, Aiko took Professor Nakano's lectures on themes such as medieval Japanese literature
• She asked him to supervise her graduation thesis around March last year
• Nakano described Aiko as bright, tenacious, full of intellectual curiosity, sincere, friendly and cheerful
• For most classes, Gakushuin University requires students to submit their impressions of the classes they attended. Princess Aiko took time to write thoughtful answers and impressions, frequently submitting her responses close to the deadline, such as 11pm for a 11:59pm deadline.
• Nakano found her content excellent, demonstrating her points of view are new and the soundness of her arguments are accurate
• When asked about her attitude in habitually submitting close to the deadline, Aiko made a self-deprecating comment "I'm slow at responding, aren't I? I'm writing this while wondering if all the teachers think that I'm slow at responding." Both she and the professor laughed.
• Aiko was particular in how to use her own words and determined to make her thesis even better
• Aiko chose medieval waka as her thesis theme largely due to what she learned about medieval poetry collections and waka/song combinations in class. Some subjects of her research related to herself such as the Naishinno (princess) and emperor.
• Aiko had 30-60 minute interviews with professors once every 2 weeks for about 9 months from March to December last year, working out the direction of the paper and schedule.
• Of the students he was advising, Nakano recalls Aiko was a student whom he had the most interviews with and her “serious attitude towards academics” was evident.
• He praised her graduation thesis as a "wonderful work that not only gave her a good understanding of the current issues in waka literature research, but also added her own original views."
• Nakano only heard from Aiko once regarding her career path after university. It was before the deadline for graduate school entrance exams. He asked Aiko as her advisor whether she had any intention of applying. She replied, "I have no intention of applying to graduate school at this time."

Sources: NTV, Mainichi

Also, correction on the hakama from my earlier post. She wore the skirt type (undivided andon bakama), not pants type (divided umanori).

Princess Aiko graduates from Gakushuin University - The Mainichi

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Princess Aiko, the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, on Wednesday graduated from Gakushuin University where she stud

mainichi.jp