Princess Hisako Takamado and Family: News and Pictures


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A beautiful video made by the Japanese Embassy in Jordan about the visit of Princess Tsuguko and Princess Hisako to the UNICEF supported Makani center, during their official visit to Jordan in May/June 2023.
I love the way Princess Tsuguko interacts with children! She looks so relaxed and natural!

Source/Video: Instagram

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A post from the Japanese Embassy in Jordan regarding the visit of Princess Tsuguko and Princess Hisako to the BirdLife headquarters in Jordan during their official visit. The first photo shows Princess Hisako holding a gift (?) and Princess Tsuguko filming her with a phone.

Source/Photo: Instagram
 
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Princess Hisako has been attending the Prince Takamado Trophy 75th All Japan Junior High School English Speech Contest this past week and attended the contest's reception at the Imperial Hotel in Chiyoda, Tokyo on November 24.

Photos: FNN
Another photo and article: Fukushima Student Wins Prince Takamado Trophy for Speech about Discrimination - The Japan News

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On November 30th, Princess Hisako attended the celebration party at the National Stadium for Saburō Kawabuchi (86) receiving the Order of Culture. Kawabuchi is a former football player and manager, founder and honorary chairman of J.League and served as president of Japan Football Association (2002-2008).

Princess Hisako's speech included a person note. After Prince Takamado's unexpected death in 2002, she and the Imperial family were at a loss about his many honorary positions. As Princess Hisako wondered what was going to happen, Kawabuchi gave a newspaper interview and clearly expressed the JFA's intentions, "When the right time comes, we plan to ask HIH the Princess to become honorary president." She was encouraged and express her gratitude.

Women’s social status was lower than it is now so Kawabuchi's decision was significant and it is rare for a female Imperial family member to serve as honorary president. Since then, Princess Hisako has received many requests and accepted honorary roles.

There was a heartwarming scene at the party where Kawabuchi thanked his wife Yasuo for supporting him devotedly for 61 years. The couple wept, bowing to each other. He asked her to live longer than him, even for one day and then surprised her with a hug.

Photos: Nikkansports, Asahi, Jiji, Hochi News


 
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:previous: more photos of Saburō Kawabuchi's November 30 celebration at AFLO Images

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On December 1st, Princess Hisako attended the Maple Leaf Gala 2023 "Renaissance," sponsored by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan, at the Palace Hotel Tokyo.

Photo:
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On December 2nd, Princess Hisako attended the 73rd National Elementary and Junior High School Essay Contest Award Ceremony at Hotel New Otani in Chiyoda, Tokyo.

Photos:
 
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On December 5th, Princess Hisako attended the 15th Prince Takamado Memorial Netsuke Competition at Osaka University of Arts Sky Campus in Abeno, Osaka City. An exhibition of Takamado netsuke and the princess' "Traveling Netsuke" photos are currently on display until the 21st.

Photo: Sankei

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On December 6th, Princess Hisako attended the AED Promotion Forum 2023 at Hitotsubashi Hall in Chiyoda, Tokyo. She is Honorary Patron of The AED Foundation of Japan. Princess Hisako emphasized the importance of being prepared and appealed for people not to hesitate in using AED in the event of a cardiac arrest, while understanding people may go blank/freeze when someone collapses suddenly.

Photos: NTV, TBS

 
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More photos of Princess Hisako at AED Promotion Forum 2023 on December 6, which would have been her 39th wedding anniversary.

FNN gallery


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Princess Hisako attended Emperor's Cup football final in Tokyo today, December 9:


** rex gallery **
:previous: more photos of 103rd Emperor's Cup Final


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On December 10th, Princess Hisako attended the Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Soccer Premier League 2023 Final (Aomori Yamada High School vs. Sanfrecce Hiroshima FC) at Saitama Stadium 2002.

Photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/C0qbHxzv7J1/?img_index=5

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On December 12th, Princess Hisako attended Ikebana International Fair 2023 at the Royal Park Hotel in Tokyo. There were exhibitions by Ikebana masters and a bazaar of specialty products from 40 countries' embassies, with the proceeds going to relief funds for natural disasters.

Princess Hisako's speech touched on international exchange and prayed for peace, "this is an unstable world that we have seen this year. I can't help but hope for a world where everyone can live together in peace and friendship next year." She toured the fair for an hour and a half with Prime Minister Kishida's wife Yuko, the Indonesian ambassador's wife, and others.

Source/photos: NTV
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiuzGlXhvJk
 
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Tatiana Maria, thank you for your kind and warm message! I enjoy your posts as well. No need for apologies. I'm sending you best wishes and hope you'll be able to contribute however actively as you wish.

Thank you for your comforting words, Prisma. In addition to your effortful and knowledgeable posts, I've always appreciated your kindness as well.


On November 30th, Princess Hisako attended the celebration party at the National Stadium for Saburō Kawabuchi (86) receiving the Order of Culture. Kawabuchi is a former football player and manager, founder and honorary chairman of J.League and served as president of Japan Football Association (2002-2008).

Princess Hisako's speech included a person note. After Prince Takamado's unexpected death in 2002, she and the Imperial family were at a loss about his many honorary positions. As Princess Hisako wondered what was going to happen, Kawabuchi gave a newspaper interview and clearly expressed the JFA's intentions, "When the right time comes, we plan to ask HIH the Princess to become honorary president." She was encouraged and express her gratitude.

Women’s social status was lower than it is now so Kawabuchi's decision was significant and it is rare for a female Imperial family member to serve as honorary president. Since then, Princess Hisako has received many requests and accepted honorary roles.

There was a heartwarming scene at the party where Kawabuchi thanked his wife Yasuo for supporting him devotedly for 61 years. The couple wept, bowing to each other. He asked her to live longer than him, even for one day and then surprised her with a hug.

Photos: Nikkansports, Asahi, Jiji, Hochi News



It was rare as late as 2002 for female royals (royals) to be invited to take up honorary presidencies?! No wonder there being no male heir at the time was seen as such a crisis. I'm glad things have changed.
 
:previous: Agreed! I'm glad Kawabuchi decided on Princess Hisako immediately. Except for honorary roles at the Japanese Red Cross Society (seemingly given by default on marriage), Imperial wives typically had few solo patronages and mainly accompanied their husbands' activities.

Patriarchy remains dominant in Japan and the Imperial family reflects the country's shrinking population. Necessity is a big factor too. Imperial wives and daughters have expanded from inherited or transferred positions (mainly Hisako & Akiko) but progress is slow.

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On December 14th, Princess Hisako attended the 2023 / 64th Press Photo Exhibition at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi Main Store in Chuo, Tokyo.

Photos: Mainichi, Asahi

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More content from recent events:

Princess Hisako at Ikebana International Fair 2023 on December 12:

FNN article/gallery - booths included NPO Children without Borders where son-in-law Kei Moriya is a director. Princess Hisako visited all booths, purchasing food such as coffee and snacks, accessories such as earrings, pouches, and bags. She viewed ikebana arrangements from 32 iemotos (grand masters). Some displays featured the Indonesian flag colors as the ambassador's wife chairs this year's fair. One Iemoto honored Princess Hisako's late mother Fumiko Tottori who was closely associated with camellias.
https://twitter.com/CROinJPN/status/1734814836662428101
https://twitter.com/RwandainJapan/status/1734845779280531931/photo/2

Princess Hisako was gifted a stuffed Koala toy at the reception of the Prince Takamado Trophy 75th All Japan Junior High School English Speech Contest on November 24.
Photos: https://www.facebook.com/aistudentt...ob1q5axfZARe5CjKoEBLsjLqSLa3DvVBgk5uQ8uwJ8Yul

FNN article/gallery on Princess Hisako at the 3rd America Bowl at Akasaka Civic Centre in Tokyo on October 28. She praised the students' hard work, encouraged them to enjoy life, and expressed hopes they would become a bridge between Japan, America, and other countries. 117 high school students from 40 schools participated with 6 teams reaching the final. Winners earned short-term study trips to the US.
 
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On December 13th, Princess Hisako attended the 12th Prince Takamado Memorial Foundation for Japan-Korea Exchange Awards Ceremony at Korean Cultural Center in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

Photos:
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On December 17th, Princess Hisako attended the 2023 Emperor's Cup / Empress's Cup All Japan Volleyball Championship Final at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium in Shibuya, Tokyo.

Photos: Nikkansports, FNN

https://www.jva.or.jp/topics/20231218-1/#gallery-9
https://www.jva.or.jp/topics/20231218-1/#gallery-18

 
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On October 14th, Princess Tsuguko visited Kagoshima Fishing High School during her three-day visit to Kagoshima Prefecture for the Special National Sports Festival. She visited the school's Information and Communication Department and observed the management of the Department of food engineering from the school.

Source/Photos: Pref. Kagoshima

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Screenshot_20231225_125008.jpg

A low quality and cropped photo from a PDF of Princess Tsuguko looking at the view from the lookout in Amami City on October 15th, during her last day of visit.

https://www.town.tatsugo.lg.jp/kikakukanko/chose/koho-kocho/documents/tatsugo202312.pdf

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Another photo of Princess Hisako at the Maple Leaf Gala 2023 "Renaissance" on December 1st.

Source/Photo: Facebook

So far, I haven't found anything for Tsuguko in November/December, it's so annoying...there is too much difference in the Takamado family: Hisako does too many activities and Tsuguko does too few.
 
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:previous: While I'd like to see Princess Tsuguko expand her activities, I don't think Princess Hisako is doing too much. Organizations are requesting Hisako for roles and I assume she has carefully considered her workload before accepting. There doesn't seem to be much complaints regarding Tsuguko's lower number of official duties. Perhaps it's understood that her job at Japan UNICEF takes up most of her time. She's a full-time contract employee. Sometimes social media shows Tsuguko at private or unannounced events so she is quietly active.

If Tsuguko wanted more duties, she could move to part-time and build relationships with organizations or events she's interested in.

Copy of Asahi Imperial schedule 12/25-30 lists the Takamado princesses for Emperor Taisho's annual memorial ceremony on December 25 with other Imperial family members. Sadly, these events are considered private so visuals are rare.

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Another FNN article on Princess Hisako at the "AED Promotion Forum 2023" on December 6.

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On December 27th, Princess Hisako attended the Princess Takamado Trophy JFA 28th All Japan U-15 Women's Football Championship Final and Prince Takamado Trophy JFA 35th All Japan U-15 Football Championship Final at Ajinomoto Field Nishigaoka in Kita, Tokyo.

Photos:
https://koko-soccer.com/news/gallery/5-koukousoccer/40302-20231227kady15/photo/24
https://web.gekisaka.jp/photonews/jryouth/detail/?398793-398793-pn&photo_no=6

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From December 29-30th, Princess Hisako attended the 2023 77th All Japan Badminton Championship Semi-finals and Finals at Musashino Forest Sport Plaza in Chofu, Tokyo.

Photos:

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ETA: On November 7th, Princess Hisako attended the Japan-Sweden Society's Annual Nobel Dinner at the Tokyo American Club.

Photos: JSS Annual Nobel Dinner with Dr Yamanaka in the presence of Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado | The Japan-Sweden Society
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On December 1st, Princess Hisako attended the Maple Leaf Gala 2023 "Renaissance," sponsored by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Japan, at the Palace Hotel Tokyo.

Photo:
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More photos of Maple Leaf Gala 2023 on December 1:
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10161458063321407&set=pcb.10161458063461407
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7136954315247665152/
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7137003758059753472/
https://www.cccj.or.jp/news/event-report/maple-leaf-gala-2023-renaissance
 
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On January 5th, Princess Hisako attended the 63rd All Japan Orchid Association's World Orchid Exhibition 2024 at Sunshine City in Ikebukuro, Tokyo.

Photo:
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On December 13th, Princess Hisako attended the 12th Prince Takamado Memorial Foundation for Japan-Korea Exchange Awards Ceremony at Korean Cultural Center in Shinjuku, Tokyo.

Photos:

More photos:
From December 29-30th, Princess Hisako attended the 2023 77th All Japan Badminton Championship Semi-finals and Finals at Musashino Forest Sport Plaza in Chofu, Tokyo.

Photos:
https://twitter.com/hiro100p/status/1740987588000071883
An official photo at AFLO Image
 
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On January 8th, Princess Tsuguko attended the Women's Final (Seitoku Shimokitazawa from Tokyo vs Shujitsu from Okayama) of the 76th All Japan High School Volleyball Championship at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium in Shibuya, Tokyo. She is the first Imperial family member to attend this event.

Shujitsu, which was absent from the 2023 championship due to Covid-19 and missed a winning for a 3rd consecutive time, won for the fifth time.

Photos: Sankei, FNN
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ETA: More photos for Princess Hisako's past events

Ikebana International Fair 2023 on December 12: Ikebana International Fair 2023 - Ikebana International Tokyo Founding Chapter.

2023 Marine Rescue Japan Commendation Ceremony on June 9: https://www.wakachiku.co.jp/recruit/fresh/naruhodo/article7.html
 
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On January 25th, Princess Hisako attended Ikebana International New Year Luncheon 2024 at The New Otani hotel in Tokyo.

Photo: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10160810011675733&set=pcb.10160810014210733

Menu: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10221565070630730&set=pcb.10221565114071816

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On January 27th, Princess Hisako attended the Empress's Cup JFA 45th All Japan Women's Football Championship Final (INAC Kobe Leonessa vs. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Urawa Reds Ladies) and Award Ceremony at Yodoko Sakura Stadium in Osaka Prefecture.

Photos:
 
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On February 1st, Princess Hisako attended a commemorative tree planting ceremony for the 65th anniversary of Indonesia-Japan diplomatic relations at the Indonesian Embassy in Shinagawa, Tokyo.

She expressed condolences to victims of the Noto Peninsula earthquake and gratitude for Indonesia's donation. Her greeting touched on earthquake recovery, world peace and environmental destruction. She planted a Sekiyama cherry tree.

Contrasting the recent landing of unmanned probe SLIM on the moon with conflicts, wars and environmental disasters, Princess Hisako said in a speech in both Japanese and English with a shaking voice, "It is possible to land on a distant place like the moon. However, I felt it was very sad that we cannot solve the problems of the earth."

Photos, info: FNN, NTV, Sankei Imperial Weekly 831
 
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Takamado family Agenda for the week from February 5th to February 11th:

February 7th: Princess Tsuguko: attending the Opening Ceremony and Preview of "World Orchid 2024 – Festival of Flowers and Greenery" at Tokyo Dome City Prisma Hall.
February 7th: Princess Hisako: attending the Opening Ceremony of the photography exhibition "Nippon – Ambassadors' Eyes 2023" in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture.
February 8th: Princess Hisako: attending the "World Orchid 2024 – Festival of Flowers and Greenery" at Tokyo Dome City Prisma Hall.
February 9th: Princess Hisako: attending the exhibition "Inheriting Shosoin Treasures: The History of Treasure Imitation Since Emperor Meiji" at the Meiji Jingu Museum, Tokyo.

Source: Asahi

(copied at: https://blog.goo.ne.jp/umenohanatiru/e/76ba8c8b4886f2903b895206d4ee6c5e)
 
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On February 7th, Princess Tsuguko attended the "Japan Grand Prix International Orchid and Flower Show 2024 - Festival of Flowers and Greenery" opening ceremony and preview at Tokyo Dome City Prism Hall in Bunkyo, Tokyo.

Princess Tsuguko said, "I hope that this exhibition will provide an opportunity for people to think about the significance of conserving biodiversity" and shared family memories surrounded by orchids, "My mother is a big fan of orchids, and when I was little, she started growing them in earnest. I remember the sunroom at home was filled with various orchids. My sister, Noriko's seal (personal emblem) is also an orchid."

Exhibition highlights include Dendrobium polyanthum "Takako" which won the grand prix and a "Glowing Phalaenopsis Orchid,'' which was created using genetically modified technology for the first time.

Photos: Yomiuri, AP Images, FNN

ETA: Noriko Senge is honorary advisor to the executive committee and also attended as a presenter.

International Orchid and Flower Show Begins in Tokyo, Continues Through Feb. 14; Princess Tsuguko Opens the Show - The Japan News

Grand prize winner:
 
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On February 7th, Princess Hisako attended the opening ceremony of "Welcoming Japan – through Diplomats' Eyes 2023" photo exhibition at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse 1. She hopes people can see an interesting perspective in comparison to their own country's culture. 51 works by diplomats from 36 countries and regions are on display.

Photos: Yomiuri

https://twitter.com/BolEnJapon/status/1755749487799333138
https://twitter.com/Dumitru_Socolan/status/1755144740528640383
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HSjQMgIv1w
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On February 8th, Princess Hisako visited the "Japan Grand Prix International Orchid and Flower Show 2024 - Festival of Flowers and Greenery" at Tokyo Dome City Prism Hall in Bunkyo, Tokyo.

Photos: AP Images, Yomiuri

Princess Hisako Visits Japan Grand Prix International Orchid and Flower Show - The Japan News
[...] “It’s magnificent, seeing all the flowers facing forward,” the princess said at the dendrobium polyanthum named “Takako,” which won the Japan Grand Prix, the highest award at the event. [...]
 
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:previous: more photos of February 16 Wine into Water gala and trophy ceremony:

Alessandro Berselli - Facebook


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On February 19th, Princess Hisako attended the Takamadonomiya Hockey Japan League Awards 2023 and Japan Hockey League 100th Anniversary Ceremony at Meiji Kinenkan in Minato, Tokyo.

Photos: Sponichi


 
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On February 27th, Princess Hisako attended the 31st Yomiuri Theater Awards Ceremony at the Imperial Hotel in Chiyoda, Tokyo.

Photos: oricon.co.jp, Natalie.mu, Yomiuri


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ETA: Princess Hisako visited Aichi Prefecture February 28-29 for the 4th World Kyudo Taikai in Nagoya. She is Honorary Chairman of The International Kyudo Federation.

Reception photos:


Romania received 3rd place:
 
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On February 27th, Princess Hisako and Princess Tsuguko received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Hungary (Otaka Masato?) at the Takamado Residence, in Tokyo.

Source: Asahi Imperial Schedule February 27th-March 3rd

(copied at: Blog.goo.ne.jp)

Perhaps the presence of both the Princesses means a possible trip (for the anniversary of diplomatic relations) to Hungary? Tsuguko visited an art exhibition in 2019 with the Hungarian Prime Minister, Viktor Orbán.
 
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On March 7th, Princess Hisako attended the Japan Switzerland Spring Ball 2024 at the Imperial Hotel in Chiyoda, Tokyo.

Photo: Facebook
 
On March 15th, Princess Hisako and Noriko Senge attended "BirdLife Spring Gala 2024" at Hotel New Otani Osaka.

Photos:

Noriko in 3rd photo
 
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