Earlier this week, Princess Hisako of Takamado undertook a series of engagements in Hokkaido region. On Tuesday, she attended the general meeting of Japanese Red Cross Society, of which she is Vice Honorary Presiden,  in Obihiro. For this meeting she matched her pale blue matelassé suit with a bowler hat in the same hue. The hat looks to be embroidered with a garden motif, complete with tiny applied silk flowers. We did not catch a good look at this hat on its last outing– this photo shows it is much more detailed than first imagined.

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: May 13, 2015

Yesterday, Princess Hisako spent time in a Red Cross sponsored nursery in Obihiro. For this visit, she topped her printed suit with a simple cream hat. The hat, with straight crown sides and a rounded top, featured a small, upturned brim. The hat was trimmed with bands of black silk and the same printed fabric as the Princess’ suit. The simple hat complimented the patterned suit brilliantly, making for a smart ensemble.

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: I believe this hat is new

Photo from Yomiuri and Hokkaido News

A memorial service for the victims of 1923 Great Kanto Earthquake took place in Tokyo yesterday. Princess Hisako of Takamado attended the event, wearing her simple simple black bumper hat with tightly upfolded brim, black net veil and small bow at the back. With her streamlined dove grey dress, I thought her elegant ensemble hit just the right note for the occasion (no surprise as she wore the same thing to this event last year).

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: June 8, 2005; September 1, 2014; June 8, 2014; June 15, 2014; November 21, 2013; November 28, 2012

Photo from Sankei

Last Wednesday, Princess Hisako of Takamado attended the  All Japan Junior Rubber Ball Championship (similar to baseball, this sport is played with a rubber ball called a nanshiki, which is lighter than a regular baseball and does not travel as far). Princess Hisako presented the Takamado Cup (named after her late husband Prince Norihito, a longtime supporter of sport) in light straw summer hat. Similar to the piece she wore at the boat cutter races in early August, this piece featured cut outs of wide, open-weave straw on the upturned brim and around the top of the crown. The hat was simply trimmed with several flat curling bows made of straw.

This is much more casual hat than we usually see worn by an Imperial Royal and makes me curious, dear readers- what do you think of it?

Photo from Sankei