Photo/Illutration Princess Aiko, left, and Princess Kako release wild ducks they captured on Feb. 14 at the Shinhama Kamoba (Shinhama Imperial Wild Duck Preserve). (Koichi Ueda)

ICHIKAWA, Chiba Prefecture--Princess Aiko played host to foreign diplomats at an event here to show off traditional duck hunting skills.

The Shinhama Kamoba (Shinhama Imperial Wild Duck Preserve) holds special sentimental value to Aiko’s parents, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako. 

It is where Naruhito proposed marriage to Masako in October 1992.

Ambassadors and their spouses from 12 nations, including Cuba and Switzerland, gathered Feb. 14 at the event also attended by Aiko’s cousin, Princess Kako, the second daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko.

The wild ducks are captured using hand-held nets that do not injure the birds. The foreign guests were treated to duck dishes at lunch.

Hosting foreign ambassadors is viewed as an important role for imperial family members. It was Aiko’s first official appearance at the wild duck preserve.

Aiko greeted the ambassadors in English, saying, “I hope you will enjoy.”

Aiko and Kako caught one duck each using the nets and held the birds before releasing them.

According to her attendants, Aiko spoke about the history, climate and culture of the nations represented by the diplomats. She was quoted as saying, “This has been a very valuable experience that will help broaden my outlook.”

Without any security detail, Naruhito back in 1992 was driven by an Imperial Household Agency employee to the preserve on a top secret outing at which he popped the question to Masako, who was then working at the Foreign Ministry.

She said “Yes” about two months later.

At a later news conference, Naruhito said he had staked his life on winning Masako’s hand and added, “Although I was in an extremely defenseless situation, I believe there was sufficient reason to do so.”

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