The baby girl born Saturday to the Crown Princess is immediately faced with a series of physical and spiritual rites dictated by Imperial family traditions upon her birth.
Nearly two hours after the birth, the Emperor bestowed a sword upon the infant for her protection. The sword, meant to bring the baby a life of good health, was delivered to the baby at the hospital by messenger.
On Dec. 7 -- the seventh day after the birth -- she will be given a bath by a lady-in-waiting at the Hospital of the Imperial household, while passages from ancient scriptures are read aloud and the string of a bow without an arrow is drawn and released.