Princess Aiko visited the Ise Grand Shrine on Aug. 1–2 [1] to participate in the traditional Oki-hiki rope-pulling ceremony.
The event marks a significant step in the preparations for the 2033 Shikinen Sengu [1]. This ritual is central to the spiritual and physical maintenance of one of Japan's most sacred sites.
During the visit, which lasted one night and two days [1], the daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako wore a white happi coat. She joined approximately 1,600 local participants [5] at the Oki-hiki site near the Isuzu River to pull the ceremonial ropes. The activity is part of the process of transporting sacred timber used in the construction of the shrine.
Princess Aiko's itinerary included visits to both the outer and inner shrines in Ise City, Mie Prefecture [2, 3]. The Oki-hiki ceremony is a prerequisite for the larger rebuilding project, as it symbolizes the communal effort required to prepare the site for new structures.
The Shikinen Sengu is a tradition where the Ise Grand Shrine is completely rebuilt every 20 years [1]. This cycle ensures that traditional architectural techniques are passed down through generations of craftsmen, and that the shrine remains purified.
By participating in the manual labor of the rope-pulling, the princess aligned herself with the local community and the ancient customs of the shrine. The 2033 rebuilding will be the next iteration of this cycle, requiring years of precise planning and material gathering starting now [1, 2].
“Princess Aiko joined approximately 1,600 local participants in the traditional Oki-hiki rope-pulling ceremony.”
Princess Aiko's public participation in the Oki-hiki ceremony reinforces the Japanese Imperial Family's role as the primary guardians of Shinto traditions. By engaging in a physically demanding community ritual ahead of the 2033 rebuilding, the princess signals a commitment to the continuity of the 20-year Shikinen Sengu cycle, which serves as both a spiritual renewal and a preservation of ancient Japanese carpentry.
