Figure 1.--This is Prince Hisahito dressed in traditional attire for the Chakko-no-Gi and Fukasogi-no-gi ceremonies at the Akasaka imperial estate in Tokyo (November 3, 2011). Prince Hisahito turned 5-years-old (September 2011). It was his his rite of passage as a member of the Japanese royal family. He is the son of Prince Akishino and his wife Princess Kiko. His mother also wears traditional ceremonial attire, but his father wears Western coat and tails.

The Japanese Government was considering a change in the Constitution to change the male-only imperial succession precedent. The Crown Prince's younger brother, Prince Akishino, announced that his wife Princess Kiko were expecting a third child (February 2006). They already had two daughters. The arrival of Prince Hisahito put constitutional changes on hold (September 6, 2006). He is the the third child and only son of Prince and Princess Akishino. The new prince thus became the third in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne. Prince Hisahito is the first male heir to be born in the Japanese imperial family for 40 years. Hisahito means 'serene and virtuous', although there are alternate translations. It is not clear, however what will come of the consideration of plans to legitimitize female succession. The Government appears to be dropping the idea. The status of Japanese women has changed a great deal since 1946 and the progress of this legislation will be in many ways a test of just how far they have come. Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko's son seems to have posponed the sucession gender issue for another generation. The Prince's e Chakko-no-Gi and Fukasogi-no-gi ceremonies with his parents at the Akasaka imperial estate in Tokyo was an important event (2011). Prince Hisahito, who turned 5-years-old, thus celebrated his rite of passage as a member of the Japanese royal family. The Prince attended Ochanomizu University’s affiliated kindergarten.

Japanese Constitution

The Japanese Government as no male heir seemed imminent was considering a change in the Constitution to change the male-only imperial succession precedent. Then Crown Prince's younger brother, Prince Akishino, announced that his wife Princess Kiko were expecting a third child (February 2006). They already had two daughters. The arrival of Prince Hisahito put constitutional changes on hold (September 6, 2006). It is not clear, however what will come of the consideration of plans to legitimitize female succession. The Government appears to be dropping the idea as unecessary. The status of Japanese women has changed a great deal since 1946 and the progress of this legislation will be in many ways a test of just how far they have come. Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko's son seems to have posponed the sucession gender issue for another generation.

Parents

Prince Hisahito is the the third child and only son of Prince and Princess Akishino. The new prince thus became the third in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne. Prince Hisahito is the first male heir to be born in the Japanese imperial family for 40 years. Hisahito means 'serene and virtuous', although there are alternate translations.

Chakko-no-Gi and Fukasogi-no-gi

The Prince's Chakko-no-Gi and Fukasogi-no-gi ceremonies with his parents at the Akasaka imperial estate in Tokyo was an important event (2011). Here we see Prince Hisahito dressed in traditional attire for the Chakko-no-Gi and Fukasogi-no-gi ceremonies at the Akasaka imperial estate in Tokyo (November 3, 2011) (figure 1). Prince Hisahito turned 5-years-old (September 2011). It was his his rite of passage as a member of the Japanese royal family. He is the son of Prince Akishino and his wife Princess Kiko. His mother also wears traditional ceremonial attire, but his father wears Western coat and tails.

Education

The new Prince has begun his education. In the spring of 2010, Prince Hisahito began kindergarten at a school affiliated with Ochanomizu University in Tokyo (2010). The Japanese public is very interested in his progress. A few details about his kindergarden activities have appeared in the Japanese press. The Prince participated in a kindergarten field trip and a potato-digging activity. He made a poster about a recent annular eclipse and other events. And he partipated in creating 'koinobori' carp streamers, another school activity. He will enter Ochanomizu University Elementary School (2013). he will be with many of the friends he made in kindergarten. Prince Hisahito is the first member of the Imperial House of Japan to attend a school other than Gakushuin Primary School. We are not sure why this change was made. The two schools have different uniforms.

Created: 7:34 PM 8/27/2012
Last updated: 9:23 PM 4/5/2013