The Mikasa Family Thread

[Prisma]

More photos of Princess Akiko in Tottori Prefecture on October 18: Facebook morito.matsumoto

She visited the Sanin Shiba Inu Ikuseikai group in Yurihama town.

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Princess Akiko's interview with Yomiuri Shimbun after the 4th Classics Day Culture Awards which @MarieAmelie_95 mentioned in post 862

古典に触れ先人の思い知る…三笠宮家・彬子さまインタビュー

【読売新聞】　皇族でただ一人、京都に暮らす三笠宮家の 彬子 （ あきこ ） さまが、読売新聞社のインタビューに応じられた。ライフワークとして日本文化を伝える彬子さまは、「 古典の日 」にちなむ文化基金賞の顕彰委員会名誉総裁を務め、今

www.yomiuri.co.jp

 

[Prisma]

Princess Akiko visited Nara Prefecture October 24-25 for the All Japan Funeral Industry Cooperative Association 68th National Conference in Kashihara City.

About 220 members attended the October 25 conference which aimed to revitalize the funeral industry and preserve traditions. Awards were given to associations and affiliates for contributions to strengthen their organizations and expand membership in an industry where small-scale funerals, such as family funerals, have become the norm since the COVID-19 pandemic. A resolution was adopted to preserve and develop funeral ritual culture.

Princess Akiko said in her speech, "I hope that this message will provide an opportunity for all involved to reconsider Japan's funeral culture and think about the funeral culture we should pass on to future generations."

Photos: naratv.co.jp

https://twitter.com/x/status/1849733880506614122

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On October 26th, Princess Akiko attended the Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2024 match between Japan and New Zealand at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1850084247350251714

https://twitter.com/x/status/1850057659430719886

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Princess Akiko's interview with columnist and manga artist Nameko Shinsan. Summary at post 868

 

[Prisma]

NHK's feature "The true face of a princess" and interview with Princess Akiko will broadcast on November 4 from 10:15 pm to 10:44 pm

いま注目のプリンセスの“素顔”とは？三笠宮家の彬子さまの日常に密着 - 話題の肖像 〜ニュースなあの人を追ってみた〜

大正天皇のひ孫で、天皇陛下の「はとこ」にあたる、三笠宮家の彬子さま。国民に寄り添い続ける現代のプリンセスは、何を語られるのか。

www.nhk.jp

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More photos of Princess Akiko at Lipovitan D Challenge Cup 2024 match (Japan vs New Zealand) on October 26:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1850888804435140677

https://twitter.com/x/status/1850890095983022298

https://twitter.com/x/status/1850648887591403794

 

[Prisma]

Princess Akiko and her cultural organization Shinyusha shared updates about 2 online cooking workshops from their series "Learn about Bento Boxing from Kyoto's Famous Restaurants."

September 29: "Moon Viewing Bento" with Gion Kawakami

• rice with minced shrimp and egg
• grilled shiitake and shimeji mushrooms
• grilled saury

Photos: Facebook Shinyusha

October 6: "Autumn Leaf Viewing" with Kiyama

• chestnuts boiled in their skins
• fried fish
• salmon roe and scallops

Photos: Facebook Shinyusha

 

[Prisma]

On October 17th, Princess Akiko gave a special lecture entitled "A City Where Japanese Culture Lives" at Kokushikan University in Setagaya, Tokyo. About 200 students and faculty and staff from the Graduate School of Humanities and the Faculty of Letters attended.

The lecture began with an episode during her time studying aboard at Oxford University. Akiko realized the high level of interest in Japanese culture during her volunteer work at the British Museum. After returning to Japan, she founded "Shinyusha" in parallel with her research activities in Japanese art.

She also spoke about the many challenges to passing on traditional culture, such as a lack of successors, the decline of traditional techniques, and a fading awareness of Japanese culture in modern society. Akiko spoke of her thoughts by citing several examples from her book, "The Last Craftsman's Story," which compiles the stories of craftsmen living in Kyoto.

However, Akiko is optimistic about future and believes traditions will endure. An example given were efforts along a shopping street approaching Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, which combines tradition and modernity. A question and answer session followed her lecture. Akiko used the remaining time to introduce some Kokushikan University graduates who now serve as Imperial Guards or her aide-de-camp, highlighting the connection to the university and achievements after graduation.

彬子女王殿下による特別講義（第7回）が行われました｜国士舘大学

彬子女王殿下による特別講義（第7回）が行われましたのページです。東京都世田谷・町田・多摩のキャンパスに7学部14学科・10研究科を擁する総合大学。高い志をもち社会に貢献する人材を育成しています。

www.kokushikan.ac.jp

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On November 2nd, Princess Yohko attended the 2024 Super GT Round 8 Motegi Official Qualifying at Motegi Mobility Resort in Motegi, Tochigi Prefecture. Unfortunately, GT500 Class driver Kakunoshin Ohta finished in 12th place. Yohko gave him a charm for better luck the next day.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1852646078610395604

 

[MarieAmelie_95]

Another photo of Princess Yohko in Saga Prefecture for the National Sports Festival: on October 13th watching kendō.



Photo: Facebook

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On October 24th, Princess Yohko and her Back Wall Project returned (probably?) to Osaka Prefecture to find venues to host their next event.

Screenshots from the Instagram stories of the official profile:

 

[MarieAmelie_95]

On November 3rd, Princess Yohko attended the finals of the 72nd Japanese Men's Kendo Championship and 63rd Japanese Women's Kendo Championship at the Nippon Budokan, in Tokyo.

The Princess presented the trophies to the winners and congratulated them. Sho Takenouchi won the men's competition while Miho Kondo won the women's competition.

Photos: Facebook 1, Facebook 2

Distant video:

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On November 1st, Princess Akiko attended a special preview of a joint exhibition of famous treasures from the Topkapi Palace Museum and the collection of the Idemitsu Museum of Art to commemorate the centenary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Turkey, at the Idemitsu Museum of Art.

Afterwards, she attended a reception in honor of the exhibition at the Tokyo Kaikan, in Tokyo. She also read a speech.

Photos: ameblo.jp (some of the same photos at Facebook)

 

[Prisma]

On November 6th, Princess Akiko attended the Japan-Türkiye Society's reception celebrating the 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Türkiye at the Imperial Hotel Tokyo in Chiyoda, Tokyo. Over 150 people attended the event. She is president of Japan-Türkiye Society.

Photos: Asahi, FNN, Jiji, NHK

 

[Prisma]

On November 7th, Princess Akiko departed for her unofficial visit to UK and France from Haneda Airport. The flight was delayed for about 90 minutes due to mechanical problems.

Photos: Asahi, FNN, TBS, NTV

Itinerary at post 867 from @MarieAmelie_95

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[Prisma]

On November 8th, the Imperial Household Agency announced Princess Yuriko's condition is worsening. An examination on the 7th revealed a progressive decline in overall body function. She is conscious. Family members, including Princess Yohko, have visited St. Luke's International Hospital, where Princess Yuriko has been since March following a cerebral infarction and aspiration pneumonia. The 101 year old princess was moved to the ICU for mild pneumonia in August and returned to the general ward on September 9.

Princess Akiko is returning to Japan immediately and is expected to land on the morning of the 9th.

Sources: NHK, FNN, NTV

Prayers for Princess Yuriko.

 

[MarieAmelie_95]

On November 8th, the Imperial Household Agency announced Princess Yuriko's condition is worsening. An examination on the 7th revealed a progressive decline in overall body function. She is conscious. Family members, including Princess Yohko, have visited St. Luke's International Hospital, where Princess Yuriko has been since March following a cerebral infarction and aspiration pneumonia. The 101 year old princess was moved to the ICU for mild pneumonia in August and returned to the general ward on September 9.

Princess Akiko is returning to Japan immediately and is expected to land on the morning of the 9th.

Sources: NHK, FNN, NTV

Prayers for Princess Yuriko.

Prisma thank you for this update.

I want to say a small thought, a small prayer for Princess Yuriko. She does not deserve to suffer like this, life has been too difficult for her, she has buried three children and a grandson, as well as her husband.

The fact that Princess Akiko is traveling home, although I don't want to admit it, says it all.

I hope she will be better, but this time I feel that it will be different, or at least, I hope with all my heart that she recovers. She does not deserve such a painful death. She deserved to die in peace, surrounded by the love of her granddaughters, and in health.

Her life was very difficult. And even though she has always managed to recover from everything, this time I am very, very worried. I always keep her - and will keep her - in my heart, and today I will not stop praying for her. Never.

I will probably remain tense until further announcement, which I hope, with all my heart, with all my wishes, that will be an happy announcement.

 

[Prisma]

Princess Akiko returned to Japan around 7:30am on November 9 and went to St. Luke's International Hospital in Chuo, Tokyo directly from Haneda Airport.

Photos: Sankei, Asahi, FNN, TBS, Nikkansports

Princess Akiko visited Princess Yuriko for about 90 minutes in the morning. She went home and visited again around 4:30pm. Princess Hisako visited around 3:30pm, canceling her scheduled visit to Nara and Kyoto (November 9-11).

Other relatives including Yuriko's eldest daughter, former princess Yasuko Konoe and husband Tadateru also visited.

Until last week, Princess Yuriko had been undergoing rehabilitation such as sitting in a wheelchair. She is currently resting in her hospital room and relatively stable.

Sources/photos: NTV, Asahi, 47news.jp, NHK

 

[Tatiana Maria]

Prisma thank you for this update.

I want to say a small thought, a small prayer for Princess Yuriko. She does not deserve to suffer like this, life has been too difficult for her, she has buried three children and a grandson, as well as her husband.

The fact that Princess Akiko is traveling home, although I don't want to admit it, says it all.

I hope she will be better, but this time I feel that it will be different, or at least, I hope with all my heart that she recovers. She does not deserve such a painful death. She deserved to die in peace, surrounded by the love of her granddaughters, and in health.

Her life was very difficult. And even though she has always managed to recover from everything, this time I am very, very worried. I always keep her - and will keep her - in my heart, and today I will not stop praying for her. Never.

I will probably remain tense until further announcement, which I hope, with all my heart, with all my wishes, that will be an happy announcement.

A beautiful heartfelt comment. Hopefully, the fact that Princess Mikasa is apparently able to receive so many family members including a 90-minute visit (which would probably be taxing on even relatively healthy 101-year-olds) means that she remains cognizant and feeling as well as can be expected given her serious condition.

 

[Prisma]

On November 10th, the IHA reported no significant change from the previous day. Princess Yuriko sleeps for longer periods and is responsive when called, opening her eyes.

Princess Akiko, Princess Yohko, Princess Takamado (Hisako), Princess Tsuguko and other relatives visited St. Luke's International Hospital. Princess Akiko stayed about an hour.

Sources, photos: Mainichi, 47news.jp, TBS

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Aides kept Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako updated on Princess Yuriko's condition during their November 9-10 visit to Oita Prefecture. Their Majesties are concerned.

Source: news.tv-asahi.co.jp

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On November 11th, Princess Nobuko canceled her scheduled November 11-12 visit to Kyoto due to her mother-in-law's condition.

Source: Yomiuri

At a regular press conference on the 11th, IHA Vice-Grand Steward Buichiro Kuroda reported Princess Yuriko's body functions are gradually declining. Although responsive when called (opens eyes), her consciousness was "in a reduced state."

Sources: Sankei, NTV, TBS

 

[Prisma]

On November 11th, Princess Akiko and family members continued to visit Princess Yuriko at St. Luke's International Hospital. Princess Yuriko is responsive when called (opening eyes) but her consciousness is "in a reduced state."

Photo: 47news.jp

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On November 13th, Princess Akiko and family members visited Princess Yuriko at St. Luke's International Hospital. Princess Hisako canceled her private US visit, planned for November 14-19.

Photo: Jiji

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On November 14th, IHA Grand Steward Yasuhiko Nishimura reported Princess Yuriko is losing consciousness and her heart and kidney functions continue to decline. Princesses Akiko, Hisako and Tsuguko visited in the afternoon. Family members have been visiting daily since news of Princess Yuriko's deteriorating condition. It is the family's wish to watch over her quietly.

Sources: TBS, FNN

 

[Prisma]

Princess Yuriko passed away on November 15 at 6:32am at age 101.

Sources: Asahi, NHK, Jiji, Mainichi

Deep condolences to her family and friends.

 

[Adda]

Rest in peace, Princess Yuriko.

 

[Blog Real]

Rest in peace Princess Yuriko.

The official announcement on the Imperial Household's official Instagram page:

宮内庁/ Imperial Household Agency on Instagram

kunaicho_jp on November 14, 2024

www.instagram.com

 

[Prisma]

It's the first time the Imperial Household Agency instagram has posted news of a branch Imperial family member on their own, not in group events with the Emperor or Empress.

Mainichi and Yomiuri galleries of Princess Yuriko

FNN photos and article about Princess Yuriko

Family members were visiting the hospital since morning and thought to have been with her with she passed. Around 9:30am, a car carrying her body departed the hospital for the Mikasa residence in Akasaka Estate. Princess Akiko and others followed the vehicle. IHA press conference was scheduled for ~10:30am, moved to 11am.

Sources: TBS, Kyodo

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Sankei and Sankei2 articles about Prince Mikasa and Princess Yuriko's marriage and support for each other

Princess Yuriko with her children on October 31, 1955: Sankei

NTV article about connection with Sri Lankan elephant Anura

Japan's Princess Yuriko, great-aunt of emperor, dies at 101

Princess Yuriko, the oldest member of the Japanese imperial family and great-aunt of Emperor Naruhito, died at a Tokyo hospital on Friday, an Imperial Household Agency official says.

english.kyodonews.net

Large Asahi gallery of Princess Yuriko

At the 11am press conference, IHA medical officer Ryozo Nagai and chief of Imperial affairs Yoshiaki Morohashi recapped Princess Yuriko's hospitalization since March, rehabilitation, and treatments for irregular heartbeats, fevers, pneumonia. Her blood pressure was dropping from the early morning and she was described as calm/peaceful as she took her last breath. She was not in any particular pain.

Emperor Naruhito canceled official duties in the morning following the death of great-aunt Princess Yuriko. He and Empress Masako paid a condolence visit to the Mikasa residence around noon. Afterwards, other family members are expected to visit.

The funeral will be held in accordance with Imperial traditions and the Imperial Household Agency is currently deciding on the date. Flag was lowered to half-mast at the National Diet building.

Photos/sources: FNN, Mainichi, Sankei, Asahi

Princess Akiko leaving the hospital: Sankei

 

[Prisma]

Retrospective

Marriage on October 22, 1941

Princess Aiko arrived at Akasaka Estate around 1:40pm to pay respects.

FNN photos

 

[MarieAmelie_95]

Prisma as always thanks for the updates. I'm heartbroken, really.

I hoped until the last moment that she could recover. I hoped with all my heart.

I didn't expect to have to read her death announcement. I can't help but think of Princesses Akiko, Yohko and Tsuguko, who lost their last grandmother alive. Akiko will be destroyed by this. I also think of the former Princesses Yasuko and Masako, who lost their mother. I can understand them very well.

Even in death she was brave, I am happy that she breathed her last in peace with her granddaughters by her side. I hope she had no regrets.

She deserved to be healed, that's for sure. If I had had the choice, she would have lived a long time for me, and she would have died peacefully at home, but not because of a cerebral infarction.

It certainly leaves her granddaughters devastated, especially Akiko, who when she spoke of her grandmother her eyes shone. I hope he has some privacy from the press right now, and I know that watching her funeral I will probably shed a few tears. I must admit, for me she was a figure of reference, a person born in the last century who saw many things, certainly many more than other people. She lived a long time, and was loved by her family, but right now her death leaves a void.

Only time will show how the Princesses will live and adapt to the situation now. Yuriko, I'll always remember her in my heart.

It remains to be seen who will become the head of the Mikasa family now.

 

[Prisma]

Very kind and thoughtful message @MarieAmelie_95

May the Mikasa and Takamado princesses, Princess Yuriko's daughters Yasuko and Masako and all her loved ones find solace and peace during this difficult time. They were blessed to have Princess Yuriko for so long and spend time with her this week. Many memories of a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother.

I was hopeful Princess Yuriko might return home eventually until the mild pneumonia in August. Given her age and recurring health issues, the hospital was probably the safest and best place for her. I am thankful her transition was peaceful.

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Mourning periods for Princess Yuriko:

• 5 days: Emperor Naruhito's family, Emeritus couple, Akishino family, Hitachi couple
• 30 days: Mikasa and Takamado families

Princesses Aiko & Kako will not host duck netting with diplomatic corps on 11/19 due to mourning.

From November 16th, the public will be able to sign condolence books at a temporary tent at the Mikasa residence. Hours are from 9 am to 7pm. Entry and exit via the south gate of Akasaka Estate.

Sources: TBS, Jiji

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Over the years, weekly magazines spoke to various professors or "sources" about the future head of hte Mikasa family. Since Princess Akiko highly values and respects tradition, there is speculation Princess Nobuko will be nominal head of the family but Akiko runs the day-to-day activities.

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Emeritus couple's message on Princess Yuriko's death: NTV

Paraphrasing:

They have been restless since news of her worsening condition and are overcome with deep sadness at news of her passing this morning. Princess Yuriko was the youngest Imperial family member of her generation. Always reliable and treated with respect and affection. She will be deeply missed.

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