Latest news with #Komuro
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Japan's Former Princess Mako Welcomes First Child with Husband Kei Komuro After Leaving Royal Family in 2021
Japan's former Princess Mako gave birth to her first child, whom she shares with husband Kei Komuro, Japan's Imperial Household Agency announced Mako left Japan's royal family when she married Komuro, who is a commoner, in 2021 The couple, who now live in New York City, met during a study-abroad event in college and got first engaged in 2013Japan's former Princess Mako has given birth to her first child, Japan's Imperial Household Agency confirmed on Friday, May 30. Few details were shared by palace officials, who did not reveal the baby's gender or date of birth, but did say that both mother and child were doing well, according to reports from the Associated Press and The Japan Times. Mako's child is the first grandchild for Japan's Crown Prince and Crown Princess, who also share children Princess Kako and Prince Hisahito, according to The Japan Times. Grand Master of the Crown Prince's Household Naomasa Yoshida shared in a May 30 press conference that the palace was officially announcing the arrival of Mako's child following reports that she had given birth. "This is a matter for a person who has left the Imperial Family, and we had hoped that she would spend her time in a quiet environment," the grand master said, per The Japan Times. "We decided to make the announcement, however, in light of some media reports [about the birth]." Mako welcomed her child with her husband Kei Komuro, her former classmate from International Christian University in Tokyo. The former princess, who is Emperor Naruhito's niece, left Japan's royal family when she married Komuro — who is a commoner — in 2021. They later moved to New York, where Komuro is a lawyer. The couple, both 33, first met during a college study-abroad event at a restaurant in Tokyo's Shibuya district. Mako previously said the she was first attracted to her future husband's "bright smile," per The Telegraph. In December 2013, Komuro proposed to Mako over dinner, and the couple continued their relationship while Mako completed her master's degree abroad, graduating from England's Leicester University with a degree in Art Museum and Gallery Studies in January 2016. Komuro and Mako originally planned to wed in 2018, but delayed the ceremony in February of that year, citing "immaturity," and pushed their wedding date once more in 2020. The couple officially tied the knot on Oct. 26, 2021. When she wed Komuro, Mako turned down a $1.3 million payout from the Japanese government, which is traditionally paid to royal women who lose their status in marriage. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! While appearing at a press event in the hours after she and Komuro submitted their marriage registration, Mako said, "I am very sorry for the inconvenience caused and I am grateful for those ... who have continued to support me," per the BBC. "For me, Kei is irreplaceable — marriage was a necessary choice for us." Komuro shared, "I love Mako. We only get one life, and I want us to spend it with the one we love." Read the original article on People
Yomiuri Shimbun
29-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Everyday Items Brightened with Nature's Colors; Tokyo-Based Plant Dyeing Brand Offers Range of Products, Beginner's Kit
The Yomiuri Shimbun Hanks of yarn dyed with a traditional technique using cherry blossoms, safflower and other natural ingredients are seen with ingredients for plant dyeing. The Yomiuri Shimbun Soft colors and textures make plant-dyed products attractive When it comes to the subtle yet varied colors brought out through plant dyeing, simple descriptors like red, blue and green fall short. Both the pale tones and the bright hues capture people's hearts. Plant dyeing, also known as vegetable dyeing, is the technique of dyeing yarns and fabrics using natural ingredients. Based in Tokyo's Kuramae district, Maito Design Works offers a range of plant-dyed items for everyday use, such as socks, scarves and small bags. 'Plant dyeing is a traditional technique that requires time and effort to both make and use, which makes it fun and interesting,' said Maito Komuro, 42, a dyer and Maito Design Works representative. The dyeing process takes place at a separate location. In addition to plants traditionally used for dyeing, such as madder plants with red roots and indigo plants that produce blue tones, he also uses ingredients like onion skins and tea leaves. Onion skins naturally produce orange, yellow and moss green, according to Komuro. Riffing on the Japanese proverb 'ten people, ten colors,' which means that everyone is different, Komuro smilingly said that his version is 'ten plants, 100 colors.' The Yomiuri Shimbun Maito Komuro dyes yarns using a dye taken from hojicha tea leaves. The natural dyes are extracted through boiling the ingredients in hot water, sometimes taking about a week to produce a satisfactory color. Komuro then soaks the materials in the same liquid, dyeing repeatedly until the desired depth of color is achieved. Even when using the same ingredients and technique, the resulting color can differ depending on the season or the production area. 'What colors are waiting to come out? I feel like dyeing is like trying to find the answer,' he said. Let's take cherry blossoms as an example. While a natural dye can be extracted by boiling cherry tree branches and bark, the color differs depending on the season: They produce pale pink in summer and darker pink in autumn and winter. Before a cherry tree blossoms, the color becomes vivid, Komuro said. Plant-dyed products require special care and attention, such as only using certain detergents for washing, and drying in the shade. For that reason, a sense of attachment is created with the owner. Komuro first encountered plant dyeing in elementary school, when his father opened a plant dyeing factory in Fukuoka Prefecture. Surrounded by the region's nature, he became interested in the craft. He studied at the Tokyo University of the Arts and gained experience working under his father. He eventually created his own brand, called 'Maito,' which is a homophone for own name but is written with different kanji that can mean being dedicated to yarn craft, to express his determination and commitment to yarns. 'The colors nature creates can heal and add brightness to our lives,' he said. Yomiuri Shimbun photos Left: Socks in various colors Right: A sweater in a soft color Plant dyeing kits The Yomiuri Shimbun A plant dyeing kit Maito Design Works offers a plant dyeing kit that includes fabrics and other tools along with the ingredients for dyeing for ¥9,900, with the hopes that everyone can enjoy plant dyeing. In addition to organizing plant-dyeing events, Komuro published a book on how beginners can enjoy plant dyeing at home in May of last year. 'I hope many people have fun plant dyeing casually. There is no right answer when it comes to getting the perfect color,' he said.
