Crown Princess Masako of Japan, now five months' pregnant, took part in an ancient ritual intended to ensure the safe and painless delivery of her baby at Crown Prince Naruhito’s home in Akasaka, central Tokyo, on Tuesday.
According to the Chinese-based calendar, Tuesday was a “dog day”, and in the Shinto faith canines are a symbol of safe birth. “The ritual was held to pray for the safe delivery of her child, in the way commoners do on the dog’s day when they are five months' pregnant,” says a spokesman for the Imperial Household Agency.
The 15-minute ceremony, which expectant couples throughout Japan are also likely to have performed, involves wrapping a long white scarf around the pregnant woman.
“The prince, in morning clothes… tied the sash in a bow at the centre of his wife’s front,” said a spokesman, describing the ancient ceremony, which was conducted behind closed doors.
The palace first confirmed Harvard-educated Masako’s pregnancy in May, to the delight of the nation. “It is the first good news in a long time,” said Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi at the time. “I am hoping for the birth of a healthy baby boy.”
The baby is due in late November or early December and, if it’s a boy, will become second-in-line to the throne, behind his father, the 41-year-old crown prince.
The 37-year-old princess suffered a miscarriage in 1999, which many believe was partly due to the intense speculation over her pregnancy.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
