According to the nihon calendar this Toradoshi (year of the Tiger) marks Heisei 22 (peace everywhere) or the twenty-second year of the era of the current reigning Emperor Akihito. While English royals are the bread and butter of tabloids, the Imperial Family is off-limits to journalists; as a result, the public is starved for scoop on what goes on behind closed doors at the Kokyo (Imperial Residence) deep within the park in Chiyoda-ku. Known fact: The Emperor fell for his wife, Michiko-sama, in 1957 on a tennis court in Karuizawa, a mountain resort in Nagano Prefecture. Also known: Michiko-sama is the first commoner to sit on the Chrysanthemum Throne. Final fact: Twice Michiko-sama suffered nervous distress that caused her to lose her voice for many months.
"I have heard from someone in the Imperial Household that Michiko-sama likes to drink whisky everyday," whispered tomodachi san. "Her favorite is the Scotch label, White Horse." Could it be that her husband's infidelities led her to console herself in this manner? Known fact: Crown Prince Naruhito married for love and now must cope with a wife who suffers from "adjustment disorder." Rumor: Second son Prince Akishino, father of three including the future emperor, often travels to Thailand on so-called business that may involve another woman. What of the Emperor's third child, Sayako-sama, now a woman of 40 and an ornithologist with a specialty in kingfishers? Five years ago she relinquished her position within the Imperial Household upon marrying a commoner whom she met through her brother and fell off the public radar.
In recent times the Heisei era faces challenges as witnessed by the revolving door of prime ministers. Every autumn the bi-cultural ladies social club organizes a reception attended by the Prime Minister's wife: Mrs. Fukuda in Heisei 19, Mrs. Aso in Heisei 20, Mrs. Hatoyama in Heisei 21. At the moment Mrs. Kan is ruling the roost, but that could change by September Heisei 22. After 50 years of rule by the LDP (Liberal Democratic Party), the DPJ (Democratic Party of Japan) has assumed the majority position. Despite the unsettled times, during tsuyu (rainy season) in late June Tokyoites can rely on tall banks of ajisai (hydrangea), a changeable flower believed by samurai to reflect a fickle nature.
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