TOKYO: The main funeral ceremony for Japanese Princess Yuriko, great-aunt of Emperor Naruhito, was held at the Toshimagaoka cemetery in Tokyo’s Bunkyo Ward on Tuesday after she died of natural causes on Nov. 15 at the age of 101.

The “Renso no Gi” ceremony was attended by 481 people, including Princess Akiko, Princess Yuriko’s granddaughter, other Imperial Family members and the heads of the three branches of government, including Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru.

They bid a final farewell to the late princess who devoted herself to promoting maternal and child health, and welfare.

The hearse carrying Princess Yuriko’s coffin left her residence at the Akasaka Estate in Tokyo’s Minato Ward at 9 a.m. and arrived at the cemetery shortly past 9:30 a.m. after passing in front of the Imperial Palace. The coffin was then placed at a funeral hall.

During the “Sojo no Gi” farewell service, which started shortly past 10 a.m., Toshiari Bojo, the chief priest in charge of the ceremony, read aloud the ritual words related to Princess Yuriko. He is the second son of the late Toshikane Bojo, who served as chairman of the annual “utakai hajime” New Year’s poetry-reading ceremony at the Imperial Palace.

Envoys sent by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, who traditionally do not attend funerals, and by Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko bowed to the coffin, followed by other Imperial Family members, including Princess Akiko and Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko.

A total of 903 members of the general public visited the cemetery from around noon to pay their respects to the late princess.

The body of Princess Yuriko was cremated in the afternoon at the Ochiai crematorium in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward. Her ashes were buried in the tomb of her husband, the late Prince Mikasa, in the “Bosho no Gi” burial ceremony.

Princess Akiko visited the tomb and reported that the late princess has been buried in her husband’s tomb, as per her wish. Clothes and tableware that Princess Yuriko had for ordinary use, a kimono sewn by her mother and family photos were also placed in the tomb.

The general public will be allowed to visit the grave from Friday.

JIJI Press