Commoner-turned Japanese Princess Assists Exhibition at New York Met Museum

by Cho Seulkina

Published 13 Apr.2022 06:05(KST)

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] It has been reported that former Japanese Princess Mako, who gave up her royal status after marriage and is currently residing in New York, USA, is working as a volunteer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

The New York Post reported on the 12th (local time) that former Princess Mako is assisting in the preparation of an exhibition related to the 13th-century Kamakura period monk Ippen, which the Metropolitan Museum of Art is planning.

The media stated that former Princess Mako was able to participate in the exhibition preparation by utilizing her major in art and cultural heritage research, which she obtained from the International Christian University (ICU) in Japan.

She studied art history at the University of Edinburgh in the UK and earned a master's degree related to exhibitions from the University of Leicester. Before her marriage, she also worked as a special researcher at the University of Tokyo Museum. A curator from the Metropolitan Museum of Art evaluated, "Former Princess Mako is qualified to work at the Metropolitan Museum of Art."

Former Princess Mako is the eldest daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito, the younger brother of Emperor Naruhito. After marrying a commoner last October, she gave up her royal status and moved to New York. She currently lives with her husband in a one-bedroom apartment in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan. The media added that this apartment, overlooking the Hudson River, requires a rent of at least $4,300.