Photo/Illutration Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako head to have conversations with guests during their autumn garden party in Tokyo’s Minato Ward on Oct. 28. (Sayuri Ide)

A living national treasure and a veteran jockey were among some 1,500 guests who attended an autumn garden party hosted by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Akasaka Imperial Garden in Tokyo on Oct. 28.

The couple, their daughter, Princess Aiko, and other members of the imperial family, including Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko, appeared at the venue in Minato Ward's Moto-Akasaka district at 1:50 p.m.

After Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and the speakers of both Diet houses greeted them, Naruhito and Masako mingled with guests and traded friendly conversation.

The imperial couple expressed appreciation to Yutaka Take, 56, who continues to thrive as a top jockey of the Japan Racing Association.

“You have devoted your life to developing the horse racing industry,” Naruhito told Take.

Masako also asked, “You’ve set many records. Is there a particular race that left a strong impression on you?”

During the conversation, the couple mentioned several horse names such as Do Deuce and Special Week. Take later told reporters that, “I was surprised at how smoothly they recalled the horse names. I truly felt that they love horses.”

Another guest was Kazuo Yamagishi, a lacquerware artist recognized as a living national treasure under Japan's important intangible cultural property honor. He is still contending with the aftermath of the Noto Peninsula earthquake that struck in January 2024.

When Naruhito expressed concern, saying, “I heard your workshop was completely destroyed,” Yamagishi replied, “I feel as though my life was spared. So, I’m doing my best.”

Yamagishi is currently commuting from temporary housing in Kanazawa to Wajima, and is dedicated to training the next generation.

“Wajima lacquerware is truly beautiful. We pray for the recovery of Wajima,” Masako said.

Naruhito and Masako also conversed about an upcoming international sporting event for deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes with Fujisaburo Ishino, former chairman of the Japanese Federation of the Deaf.

“I hope it will be a wonderful event,” Naruhito said via a sign language interpreter about the Deaflympics to be held next month.

Masako added, “I’m looking forward to it. This year will be a memorable year, as the event will be held in Japan for the first time.”

The empress shared that she has long wanted to learn sign language.

Ishino, demonstrating the sign for “thank you,” responded with joy, saying through the interpreter, “By all means. If we could talk even a little in sign language on some occasion, I would be very happy.”

(This article was written by Ayako Nakada and Yasuhiko Shima, a senior staff writer.)

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