On Saturday, January 25, 2014, Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan attended a traditional folklore show at the National Theatre in Tokyo.
According to Kyodo News, the performance featured:
“…songs and dances from Fukushima, Miyagi and Iwate prefectures, which suffered serious damage from the March 2011 massive earthquake and tsunami. The event was held to support reconstruction efforts in the prefectures.”
On January 23, 2014, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan gave a lecture at the Gakushuin Women’s College in Shinjuku, Tokyo. During his hour and a half lecture the future emperor spoke about “…Heian Era and powerful Saionji aristocratic family…” or something like that. Sorry. 😦
On January 20, 2014, Their Imperial Highnesses Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko of Japan arrived at the Grand Prince Hotel New Takanawa in Tokyo to preside over a send off/farewell/good luck ceremony for the Japanese athletes participating in the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games.
I hope that made some sense. 🙂 Anyway, for more information about yesterday’s event please click here.
On Wednesday, January 15, 2014, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan accompanied by His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan, Their Imperial Highnesses Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko of Japan as well as other members of the Imperial family participated the annual Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime (Imperial New Year’s Poetry Reading) held at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
According to the IHA, this year’s theme: Sei (Quiet).
A Waka poem by His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito:
Spreading beyond
The memorial monument
I see before me
The sea of Minamata
So blue, so calm, and so still.
Ireihi no
Saki ni hirogaru
Minamata no
Umi aokushite
Shizuka narikeri
A Waka poem by Her Imperial Majesty Empress Michiko::
I now leave to serve
The deity soon to be moved
To a newly built shrine”
So saying with eyes serene
Our daughter left for Ise.
Miutsuri no
Chikaki miyai ni
Tsukauruto
Hitomi shizukani
Ko wa iite tatsu
A Waka poem by His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito:
The graceful sound of singing is heard in the stillness of the Sanctuary during the Niiname-sai.
A Waka poem by Her Imperial Highness Crown Princess Masako:
As though it enwraps even the sorrow, the sea off Kamaishi lies in tranquility.
On Friday, January 10, 2014, Their Imperial Highnesses Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan accompanied by His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan, Their Imperial Highnesses Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko of Japan as well as other members of the Imperial family attended “…a lecture given by a top researcher during the annual Kosho Hajime No Gi (Ceremony of the First Lecture) event [as part of the] New Year ceremonies at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo….” according to Kyodo News.
On Wednesday, January 8, 2014, Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan held an audience the Prime Minister of Turkey, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and his wife, Mrs. Emine Erdoğan, at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
According to Kyodo News, Prime Minister Erdoğan, his wife, and a Turkish delegation completed their three-day official visit to Japan this afternoon.
On Wednesday, January 1, 2014, the Imperial Household Agency (IHA) released a photo of the imperial family of Japan on the occasion of the new year.
The IHA also released His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito of Japan’s New Year speech. Here is what the emperor had to say:
“A third winter since the Great East Japan Earthquake has come around. At the dawn of the new year, my heart once again goes out to the afflicted people, those who cannot return to the places they used to live because of radioactive contamination and those who have to spend the cold harsh winter in temporary housing.
Last year, too, many people were confronted with various difficulties and I am sure they faced many hardships. In this new year, it is my hope that the people of Japan not forget the plight of those who are facing hardships and try to share even a little of their burden, and help and comfort one another at all times. I also hope that they will work together with the people of the world in pursuit of peace and do their utmost to build a better tomorrow.
In this season of deep snow, I want to ask people to take great care not to have any accidents in removing snow from the roof.
It is my hope that the new year will bring happiness to the people of Japan and the people around the world.”
And, finally, in the evening Their Imperial Majesties Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan accompanied by Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako of Japan, Their Imperial Highnesses Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko of Japan, and other members of the imperial family hosted a New Year reception held at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
The Royal Correspondent 