Hisako, Princess Takamado

Hisako, Princess Takamado (憲仁親王妃久子, Norihito Shinnōhi Hisako), born Hisako Tottori (鳥取久子, Tottori Hisako) on July 10, 1953, is a member of the Japanese imperial family through her marriage to Norihito, Prince Takamado.

Birth and Family Background:

She was born in Shirokane, Minato, Tokyo. Her father was Shigejiro Tottori, a Japanese industrialist. Her mother was Fumiko Tottori (née Tomoda), who passed away on July 18, 2023, at the age of 96.

Education:

During her childhood, Hisako accompanied her father to England due to his work transfer; this experience contributed to her fluency in English. She graduated from Girton College, University of Cambridge, in 1975 with undergraduate degrees in anthropology and archaeology. After returning to Japan, she initially worked for a translation company. Subsequently, she returned to England to study legal terminology used in statutes. She came back to Japan in 1982. Later, she earned a PhD in arts from Osaka University of Arts in February 2012.

Marriage:

Hisako married Prince Norihito of Mikasa on December 6, 1984. They first met on April 23, 1984, at a reception hosted by the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo. Prince Norihito proposed on May 20, and their engagement was announced on August 1 of the same year. The formal engagement ceremony took place on September 17, 1984.

Children:

The couple has three daughters:

- Princess Tsuguko (承子女王, Tsuguko Joō), born March 8, 1986, at Aiiku Hospital, Tokyo.

- Princess Noriko (典子女王, Noriko Joō), born July 22, 1988, at Aiiku Hospital, Tokyo. She married Kunimaro Senge, a commoner, on October 5, 2014, and subsequently relinquished her imperial title.

- Princess Ayako (絢子女王, Ayako Joō), born September 15, 1990, at Aiiku Hospital, Tokyo. She married Kei Moriya, a commoner, on October 29, 2018, and also left the Imperial Family.

Public Activities and Diplomatic Engagements:

Prince and Princess Takamado were known for extensive travel representing Japan, visiting 35 countries over 15 years. Notable visits included Egypt, Morocco, Hawaii, and South Korea—where they attended the opening of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, marking a significant diplomatic event as the first Japanese imperial visit to South Korea since World War II.

Following Prince Takamado's death from ventricular fibrillation during a squash game at the Canadian Embassy on November 21, 2002, Princess Takamado became actively involved in numerous charitable and cultural organizations. She took on roles previously held by her husband and also held new positions.

Honors and Recognitions:

She has received various honors, such as the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown (Japan), Grand Cross of the Order of Prince Henry (Portugal), Dame Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic (Spain), and the 70th Birthday Badge Medal of King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden. She has also been awarded honorary doctorates in Law from the University of Alberta and the University of Prince Edward Island, both in 2004.

Roles and Patronages:

Princess Takamado holds numerous honorary positions, including patron of the Federation of Japan Amateur Orchestras and honorary president of BirdLife International. She is also involved with organizations related to sports, environmental conservation, and cultural exchanges. Her honorary titles and roles reflect her active engagement in various national and international initiatives.

Health:

In March 2020, she underwent surgery for acute appendicitis at the University of Tokyo Hospital and was discharged shortly after. In November 2022, she tested positive for COVID-19, experiencing symptoms such as fever and sore throat, and subsequently recovered.

Bibliography:

She has authored two children's books published in English: *Katie and the Dream-Eater* (OUP, 1996) and *Lulie the Iceberg* (OUP, 1998).

Titles:

Since her marriage, she is styled as Her Imperial Highness The Princess Takamado.