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.