Imperial Family of Japan Current Events Part 3: May 2017 -

[MarieAmelie_95]

Mikasa/Takamado Princesses will visit Meiji Jingu to commemorate the 110th anniversary of the death of Empress Shoken:

Princess Nobuko: April 17th
Princess Akiko: April 19th
Princesses Hisako and Tsuguko: April 17th

Maybe Princess Yōko will visit later.

Source: Asahi Imperial Schedule April 15th-21st
(copied at blog.goo.ne.jp)

 

[Prisma]

Princesses Nobuko, Hisako and Tsuguko visited Meiji Jingu on April 17th to commemorate the 110th anniversary of Empress Shoken's death.

Photos: FNN

 

[iceflower]

The family at the spring garden party hosted by Emperor Naruhito today, April 23:


** gettyimages gallery ** tt.se gallery **

 

[Prisma]

More galleries of spring garden party: FNN, Mainichi, Asahi, AP Images

TV-Asahi gallery includes 2002 garden party

Princess Yohko left after the national anthem. Maybe she suddenly felt unwell? Princess Nobuko accompanied Princess Hanako out and then returned.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1782653777633530054

https://twitter.com/x/status/1782685718374158636

Finger food at the garden party. No alcohol or grilled meat because they create long lines/crowds.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1782694834605891660

 

[MarieAmelie_95]

Other videos of the Spring Garden party:

Even longer videos tend to cut off the part where Princess Yōko leaves. Usually the ones I've seen tend to zoom in on the couple Akishino/Princesses Aiko and Kako/Princess Hanako at the moment when the national anthem ends, as if to hide something. One shows Princess Akiko suddenly turning around and then promptly avoiding that by zooming in on Princess Nobuko first and then those before her. The length of time Princess Yōko is no longer seen is about 50 seconds. In these seconds, something has happened. She either felt ill or left for other reasons.

Princesses Hisako and Tsuguko saw someone unexpected at the end of the Garden Party and approached this person.

Some screenshots of the Princesses leaving:




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More photos of Imperial Princesses at the Spring Garden party yesterday:

Princess Nobuko: Asahi

Princess Akiko: Asahi

Princess Hisako: Asahi

Princess Tsuguko: Asahi

 

[Prisma]

The media were going to focus on Princess Aiko anyway since it's her garden party debut. I'm not surprised the extended families were ignored, except for some parts where they're chatting with guests and exits. Sadly, The Page/Yahoo! coverage didn't have a good position for the welcome ceremony. I'm disappointed TV Tokyo cut to guest interviews after Aiko's exit. Usually, TV Tokyo uploads the entire footage.

Imperial Household Agency coverage:

宮内庁/ Imperial Household Agency on Instagram: "令和6年4月23日（火）、赤坂御苑において園遊会が開催されました。"

173K likes, 0 comments - kunaicho_jp on April 23, 2024: "令和6年4月23日（火）、赤坂御苑において園遊会が開催されました。".

www.instagram.com

宮内庁/ Imperial Household Agency on Instagram: "令和6年4月23日（火）、赤坂御苑において園遊会が開催されました。"

113K likes, 0 comments - kunaicho_jp on April 23, 2024: "令和6年4月23日（火）、赤坂御苑において園遊会が開催されました。".

www.instagram.com

宮内庁/ Imperial Household Agency on Instagram: "令和6年4月23日（火）園遊会"

41K likes, 0 comments - kunaicho_jp on April 24, 2024: "令和6年4月23日（火）園遊会".

www.instagram.com

Cat pictures exchanged at imperial spring garden party | The Asahi Shimbun Asia & Japan Watch

[...] One of the guests was contemporary artist Tadanori Yokoo.

Yokoo struck up a conversation with the imperial family about the publication of his book of paintings of his beloved cat, Tama.

In turn, Masako took out several photos of the imperial family’s cat from her bag and said, “This one was a stray that we took in.”

On a more serious note, the imperial couple talked with another guest, Ishikawa prefectural assembly Chairman Yoshihiko Zenda, about the recent Noto Peninsula earthquake.

[...]

Guests at Emperor, Empress’ Spring Garden Party Not Required to Wear Mask for 1st Time in Reiwa Era - The Japan News

[...] The event was attended by 1,402 guests, including distinguished persons from academia, the arts and other fields.

The Imperial couple and other members of the Imperial family strolled around the garden for about two hours, meeting with guests and engaging in casual conversation. [...]

 

[Prisma]

The Japanese Red Cross Society National Convention will be held on May 15.

Empress Masako, Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Hanako, Princess Nobuko and Princess Hisako will attend.

Source: NTV

 

[MarieAmelie_95]

On May 19th, Emperor Naruhito, Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko and Princesses Kako, Akiko, Yōko, and Tsuguko will attend the Emperor Gokameyama's 600th Anniversary Ceremony at the Imperial Palace, Tokyo.

I hope that photos of the members entering the Palace will arrive. I think the media should start releasing videos of these memorial ceremonies for the Imperial ancestors as well.

Source: Asahi Imperial Schedule May 13th-19th
(copied at Blog.goo.ne.jp)

 

[Prisma]

On May 15th, Empress Masako, Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Hanako, Princess Nobuko and Princess Hisako attended the Reiwa 6 (2024) National Red Cross Convention at Meiji Jingu Kaikan in Shibuya, Tokyo.

Princess Aiko, as a JRCS employee, worked at the convention and was seen wearing a red, staff member lanyard when departing the Imperial Palace in the morning.

Photos: Asahi, FNN, AP Images

宮内庁/ Imperial Household Agency on Instagram: "令和6年5月15日（水）、皇后陛下、秋篠宮皇嗣妃殿下、常陸宮妃殿下、寬仁親王妃殿下、高円宮妃殿下は、令和6年全国赤十字大会にご臨席になりました。"

174K likes, 0 comments - kunaicho_jp on May 15, 2024: "令和6年5月15日（水）、皇后陛下、秋篠宮皇嗣妃殿下、常陸宮妃殿下、寬仁親王妃殿下、高円宮妃殿下は、令和6年全国赤十字大会にご臨席になりました。".

www.instagram.com

https://twitter.com/x/status/1790664733978402881

More photos: AFLO Images, Dot Asahi, Facebook - Japanese Red Cross

テレ朝news公式 on Instagram: "【皇后さま　愛子さま勤務先の式典「全国赤十字大会」に出席】 　皇后・雅子さまは名誉総裁を務める日本赤十字社の全国大会に出席されました。 　皇后さまは「全国赤十字大会」に名誉副総裁の秋篠宮妃紀子さまらとともに出席されました。 　全国赤十字大会は天皇皇后両陛下の長女・愛子さまが先月から勤務されている日本赤十字社が年に一度行う式典で、皇后さまは赤十字の活動に貢献した個人や団体に賞状などを手渡されました。 　その後、皇后さまらは能登半島地震で支援に

3,860 likes, 46 comments - tv_asahi_news on May 16, 2024: "【皇后さま　愛子さま勤務先の式典「全国赤十字大会」に出席】 　皇后・雅子さまは名誉総裁を務める日本赤十字社の全国大会に出席されました。 　皇后さまは「全国赤十字大会」に名誉副総裁の秋篠宮妃紀子さまらとともに出席されました。 　全国赤十字大会は天皇皇后両陛下の長女・愛子さまが先月から勤務されている日本赤十字社が年に一度行う式典で、皇后さまは赤十字の活動に貢献した個人や団体に賞状などを手渡されました。...

www.instagram.com

Princess Aiko worked as a management staff member at the convention: welcoming attendees, ushering them to locations and providing guidance. She did not interact with the Imperial family. According to sources, Princess Aiko, who belongs to the Youth Volunteer Division, is believed to have been in charge of welcoming and guiding visiting high school and university students from areas affected by the Noto Peninsula earthquake.

Sources: TBS, NTV, FNN

 

[MarieAmelie_95]

On June 8th, Princess Aiko, Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko and Princesses Kako, Hanako, Akiko, Yōko, Hisako and Tsuguko will attend the Annual remembrance service in memory of Prince Katsura, both at the Imperial Shrines and at the Toshimaoka Imperial Cemetery. This year coincides with the tenth anniversary of the Prince's death.

On June 6th, Princesses Akiko, Yōko, Hisako and Tsuguko will attend the Annual remembrance service in memory of Prince Tomohito of Mikasa, both at the Imperial Shrines and at the Toshimaoka Imperial Cemetery. This year coincides with the twelfth anniversary of the Prince's death.

Source: Asahi Imperial Schedule June 3rd-9th
(copied at: Blog.goo.ne.jp)

 

[Prisma]

On the afternoon of June 8th, Imperial family and relatives attended the 10th anniversary memorial service for Prince Katsura’s death at Toshimagaoka Imperial Cemetery in Bunkyo, Tokyo.

Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and the Emeritus couple did not attend per custom, sending envoys instead. This is Princess Aiko's first graveside service attendance. Princess Akiko represented Princess Yuriko, who remains hospitalized, offering tamagushi.

Former royals and spouses attended: Noriko Senge, Sayako and Yoshiki Kuroda, Masako and Sōshitsu Sen XVI, and Tadateru Konoe (I didn't see Yasuko clearly but I assume she attended as well).

An earlier memorial service was held at the Mikasa residence in Akasaka Estate.

Photos: Asahi, FNN, NHK, AP Images

 

[Somebody]

Glad to read that former members of the imperial family and their spouses were also present. Just like in other families, occasions like these are also a moment for family to meet. I doubt princesses Aiko and Kako see their aunt and uncle that often, so I hope they had an opportunity to talk to them today.

 

[Prisma]

Longer compilation video of Prince Katsura's 10th anniversary memorial. There was something about Princess Yohko towards the end but no transcription was available (yet?).

 

[Prisma]

On July 10th, Emperor Naruhito's family, Emeritus couple, Crown Prince Akishino family (minus Prince Hisahito), Sayako Kuroda and her husband Yoshiki attended a concert celebrating the Emeritus couple's 90th birthdays at Tokagakudo Hall in the Imperial Palace. Emperor Emeritus Akihito turned 90 last December and Empress Emerita Michiko will turn 90 in October.

Musicians with long connections to the Emeritus couple, including Yoichiro Murakami (cellist and Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo), performed songs special to them. The Imperial Household Agency hosted the concert. Pianist Michie Koyama and saxophonist Sadao Watanabe also performed.

Photos: FNN, AP Images, Jiji

 

[Prisma]

On July 17th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, accompanied by Crown Prince Akishino and Princess Kako, hosted a tea party for attendees of the 10th Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (PALM10) at the Imperial Palace. Leaders and their spouses from 14 countries and regions, including Palau and Samoa, attended.

Photos: AP Images, Getty Images, FNN, Asahi

Imperial Household Agency: Instagram, Instagram2

The 3-day summit began on July 16 and is held every 3 years. The last meeting was held online due to the pandemic.

 

[Prisma]

The autumn garden party will be held on October 30 at Akasaka Estate.

Meal service will return to pre-pandemic level, including meat dishes such as jingisukan. However, alcohol will not return yet. Only non-alcoholic beverages.

Source: Sankei

 

[Prisma]

Imperial family at 2024 National Sports Festival in Saga Prefecture.

October 5-6: Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako

• Opening ceremony, reception with festival staff
• Volleyball, Hizenhama Station

October 7-8: Princess Tsuguko

• Archery, Kashima City Cultural Hall, table tennis
• Sumo, volleyball, Yoshinogari Historical Park

October 8-10: Princess Hisako

• Kyudo, wrestling
• Hockey, weightlifting, secret kiln village
• Fencing, basketball

October 10-11: Princess Akiko

• Rugby, History and Folklore Museum, Tea Tourism
• Handball, Child Development Medical Center

October 11-12: Princess Aiko

• Track and field, Saga Castle History Museum
• Judo, Saga Prefecture Red Cross Blood Center, Nao handmade washi paper workshop

October 12-13: Princess Yohko

• Softball, Kashima traditional crafts
• Kendo

October 13-14: Princess Nobuko

• Judo
• Track and field

October 14-15: Princess Kako

• Climbing, Ceramics Museum
• Track and field, closing ceremony, Prefectural school for the deaf

Sources with detailed PDFs:

天皇皇后両陛下の行幸啓について

天皇皇后両陛下の行幸啓について / 佐賀県

www.pref.saga.lg.jp

「SAGA2024」（国民スポーツ大会）へのお成りについて

「SAGA2024」（国民スポーツ大会）へのお成りについて / 佐賀県

www.pref.saga.lg.jp

愛子内親王殿下のお成りについて

愛子内親王殿下のお成りについて / 佐賀県

www.pref.saga.lg.jp

佳子内親王殿下のお成りについて

佳子内親王殿下のお成りについて / 佐賀県

www.pref.saga.lg.jp

 

[Prisma]

On October 30th, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and Imperial family members attended the autumn garden party at Akasaka Estate.

Photos: Getty Images, AP Images, FNN, FNN2, Mainichi, Asahi

Mostly focused on Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako's interactions with guests

More autumn garden party photos: Dot Asahi

Jisin: Princess Yohko

Jisin: Princess Aiko, Empress Masako, Princess Kako, Crown Princess Kiko

Jisin: mostly Princess Aiko and Princess Kako

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Content from Imperial Household Agency and The Page shared Imperial Household Agency's video footage

宮内庁/ Imperial Household Agency on Instagram: "令和6年10月30日（水）、赤坂御苑において園遊会が開催されました。"

193K likes, 0 comments - kunaicho_jp on October 30, 2024: "令和6年10月30日（水）、赤坂御苑において園遊会が開催されました。".

www.instagram.com

宮内庁/ Imperial Household Agency on Instagram: "令和6年10月30日（水）、赤坂御苑において園遊会が開催されました。"

56K likes, 0 comments - kunaicho_jp on October 30, 2024: "令和6年10月30日（水）、赤坂御苑において園遊会が開催されました。".

www.instagram.com

宮内庁/ Imperial Household Agency on Instagram: "令和6年10月30日（水）、赤坂御苑において園遊会が開催されました。"

60K likes, 0 comments - kunaicho_jp on October 30, 2024: "令和6年10月30日（水）、赤坂御苑において園遊会が開催されました。".

www.instagram.com

another Dot Asahi gallery has more photos of the Mikasa and Takamado princesses at the October 30 garden party.

 

[Prisma]

On November 5th, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako hosted a tea ceremony for 7 recipients of the Order of Culture and 15 recipients of the Persons of Cultural Merit at the Imperial Palace. Princess Aiko, Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko and Princess Kako also attended.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this is the first "court tea ceremony" in 5 years with food and drink. However, infection prevention measures remain. Tables are larger and menu changed to lighter fare such as hors d'oeuvres and fruit.

Photos: FNN, Mainichi

https://twitter.com/x/status/1853710972223136169