Birthday boy

Nice to see the human side of the Imperial family. Are the girls single or married, do we know?

Nice to see how our taxes are supporting these folks, I guess.

Are the girls single or married, do we know?

When a Japanese royal girl marries she stops being royal. Kako is 18 and Mako is 21, both still princesses and so both still single. Their auntie Princess Nori (sister to the Crown Prince) became plain Mrs Kuroda when she married.

Thank you, auto correct! Really have to pay more attention....been worshiping dog for years.... I mean god.

It's all Freudian

His sisters are very diligently helping him train his body. Someday he will be our leader, and Japan will become proud again.

What a happy looking child.

I wonder if they were singing any Japanese jump rope songs while playing. I remember being a kid and there were a few songs sang by us while playing. Are there any Japanese jump rope songs?

techall yea... they definitely should lay off the junk food or there will be no waist...

I think they are pretty girls, but yes they are unusually plump for Japanese young ladies, especially considering how slender their own parents are. Stress eating, perhaps?

Yes, let's judge the young women by their figures, and then in another topic you can mock Japan for its sexism and for not respecting its women ...

The young women are probably wearing loose-fitting clothing for the photo shoot, as anything formal, smart or close-fitting, could lead to a wardrobe malfunction.

How nice that they opted for a casual sibling shot, instead of the usual "parents and child strolling awkwardly in the grounds" setup.

@Tessa nothing plump about them. Just the clothes they are wearing.

Nice looking kids!

Hey, please keep in mind that I said "plump for young Japanese ladies." I don't think too highly of the stick insects that I see walking around every day, either. I suppose it's nice to see that the young princesses don't follow trends ... but they are in the public spotlight to some extent.

3kunfuuSep. 06, 2013 - 04:05PM JST His sisters are very diligently helping him train his body. Someday he will be our leader, and Japan will become proud again

If Japan isn't proud of what it has achieved then the problem isn't with the Emperor, it is with the citizens. Compared to most countries around the world Japan is a pretty nice place to live. Be grateful for what you have.

His sisters are very diligently helping him train his body. Someday he will be our leader, and Japan will become proud again.

satire?

Both Princess Mako and Princess Kako are going to make two guys very happy some day.

Anachrony in motion.

. A Happy Birthday, Prince !

TokyoGasSEP. 06, 2013 - 05:13PM JST I wonder if they were singing any Japanese jump rope songs while playing. I remember being a kid and there were a few songs sang by us while playing. Are there any Japanese jump rope songs?

This one: "My back aches, My pants too tight, My hips keep a'shakin' From the left to the right. From the left, bom bom, To the right, bom bom..."

I think he has know idea of what is supposed to be meant to many being a "Prince" but he is just a kid!! Anyway I wish him a HBD and hope he has a chance to enjoy life as any kid and grows up to be a good person.

What to comment on a picture of a kid upon his birthday ??

Happy birthday !

I think these princesses are still in school. 21 and 18, College student ages in Japan. They look healthy. They probably counted 1, 2, 3, 4, ..... Singing while helping nawa-tobi in Japan?

Nice to see how our taxes are supporting these folks, I guess.

You are also allowed to jump rope @gaihonjin.

LiveInTokyo:

The notion of a state-funded aristocracy that feasts at the public teat does not lend itself to quaint bon mots, so I am unable to come up with a witty-enough retort.

Suman.

@gaihonjin: Imperial Household Ministry governs Imperial Household Agency that governs official duties of the Emeror. Crown Prince. How other members live? Income from Imperial house possesiions, not from tax. Even Emperor has no freedom to spend free. Official duties? Emperor has to ignore his age and illness to attend if Japanese Govt request. Feast? Maybe they wish. They don;t have freedom to go to a restaurant. Princess Mako is 20, Kako is 16/ So they are school children. Two of three minor princesses. Another one is 6 year old Aiko. Not envious life they have.

Lucky kid.

Happy Birthday little one! I hope play-times like this are a regular part of their lives.

@JTDanMan

In what way? Being born into the imperial family is like being sentenced to house arrest for the rest of your life. The Household Agency basically violates the rights and freedoms of the imperial family.

@Justin Everett

In the way that he'll never have to worry about what most people on the planet today and throughout most time have to worry about: having enough to eat, and having a roof over their heads. True, they don't have much liberty, but their life and property are well provided for.

That is lucky. This is one of the most fortunate people ever born.

ahhh the future tax drain!

Are they allowed to play on the grass?

@Toshiko - Princess Aiko is 11. Mako's 21, Kako's 18. You need to update your birthday diary.

Maria: Thanks to correcting me. JeffLee: The botanist who helped Emperor Showa's research of Palace botany grasses once mentioned Emperor had friend, weed and plant in Pa;ace Garden. Emperor Showa once confessed to a Shincho reporter "Ever since I became Emperor, I felt I am on thin ice all day long" It is true they don;t have to worry about house and food but so are any wealthy people. Then daily study of 2600 year history of Imperial family beginnong of Amaterasu Omokami, to current Emperor. Wealthy kids do not have needle eyes of Imperial House Ministry officials. How do you like to have these men reprimand you from morning to night every day. They don;t have freedom like wealthy kids.

glad Imperial Household Agency permitted to have this picture. seen by us. Playing together with their play clothes.