Princess Aiko visited the Geku and Naiku shrines of Ise Jingu in Mie Prefecture on Sunday [1].
The visit marks a return to one of Japan's most sacred sites to perform traditional imperial duties and maintain spiritual continuity within the monarchy.
Princess Aiko arrived at the shrines at approximately 9 a.m. [2]. Wearing a white long dress, she offered a tamagushi branch and bowed deeply during her prayers [1]. This visit to the Ise Jingu complex represents her first return to the shrines in about two years [3].
Following the established imperial custom, the princess first visited the Geku shrine to honor the ancestors of Amaterasu Omikami before proceeding to the Naiku shrine [1]. These rituals are central to the religious obligations of the imperial family, reinforcing the link between the monarchy and the ancestral deities of Japan.
In the afternoon, the princess transitioned from prayer to official observation. She attended the Omiki-biki, a traditional event that occurs only once every 20 years [4]. The ceremony involves the ritual pulling of sacred trees, a rare occurrence that draws significant attention to the preservation of ancient Shinto practices.
Her presence at the Omiki-biki highlights the intersection of her public role and the maintenance of rare cultural heritage. The event serves as a critical marker of time for the local community and the imperial household, given its infrequent schedule [4].
“Princess Aiko visited the Geku and Naiku shrines of Ise Jingu”
The timing of Princess Aiko's visit is significant due to the overlap with the Omiki-biki. By pairing a standard spiritual visit with a once-in-two-decades ceremony, the imperial family reinforces its role as the primary custodian of Japan's rarest traditions. This appearance underscores the princess's ongoing integration into the formal duties of the monarchy.
