Sept. 6 marks not only the 19th birthday of Prince Hisahito, the son of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, but also his imperial coming-of-age ceremony. It will be the first coming-of-age ceremony for a male member of the imperial family in 40 years, the previous one being for the crown prince.
Reaching the age of maturity is typically observed in Japan on Seijin no Hi (Coming-of-Age Day), held on the second Monday of January. For someone second in line to the Japanese throne, the coming-of-age ceremony carries with it an added layer of tradition and formality.
According to the Imperial Household Agency, the prince is scheduled to start the day by receiving a crown during a private rite. Next, he will visit the Imperial Palace for the Kakan-no-Gi (crown-wearing ritual) before visiting Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako. His attire, for the first time ever, will consist of adult court dress. Prayers at shrines and mausoleums are planned for the rest of the day, as well as a visit to his grandparents, Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko, at their residence in Minato Ward.
In April , the prince enrolled in the College of Biological Sciences at the University of Tsukuba, expressing his wish for a typical campus life experience, including plenty of biking to classes. His other recent activities involved a lot of peer collaboration and fieldwork, from learning about aquaculture to observing a biotope initiative, as well as attending an entomological research conference.
At his first official news conference in March, the prince said, “I hope to carry out my role as a member of the imperial family with the awareness of being an adult member.”
While imperial formal events are bound to be solemn, traditional affairs, the atmosphere at the prince’s coming-of-age ceremony is expected to be warm, thanks to the presence of family members.
