Japan’s Princess Aiko Arrives in Mie Prefecture

Ise, Mie Pref., Aug. 1 (Jiji Press)–Japan’s Princess Aiko arrived in Ise, Mie Prefecture, on Saturday to observe a traditional rite for the reconstruction of Ise Jingu, a major Shinto shrine complex in the central Japan city, which is held once every 20 years. Princess Aiko, the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, visited a facility where specially designated timber for the next reconstruction, set for 2033, is processed. The princess viewed how a shrine carpenter draws cutting lines on the timber with a ruler and ink. She picked up a bundle of Japanese silver grass to be used for the roof in the next reconstruction and said, “It’s light.” She also visited Toba Aquarium in the city of Toba. Princess Aiko is scheduled to pay respects to the Geku outer shrine and the Naiku inner shrine Sunday and observe a traditional rite in which the timber for the next reconstruction is transported on a river before returning to Tokyo. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]