秋篠宮ご夫妻、伊勢神宮参拝　立皇嗣の礼終了報告

　三重県入りした秋篠宮ご夫妻は２１日、伊勢神宮（同県伊勢市）を参拝し、秋篠宮さまが皇位継承順位１位となったことを内外に示す「立皇嗣の礼」を２０２０年１１月に終えたことを報告された。
　ご夫妻は最初に、衣食住の神とされる豊受大神を祭る外宮を参拝。午前９時４０分ごろ、モーニング姿でシルクハットを手に持った秋篠宮さまと、白の参拝服を着た紀子さまは正殿へと進み、正殿手前の門の前で玉串をささげ、そろって拝礼した。
　続いて、皇室の祖先神とされる天照大神を祭る内宮を訪れ、同様の所作で拝礼した。（2022/04/21-16:18）

Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko visited Ise Jingu, a major Shinto shrine in Mie Prefecture, central Japan, Thursday to report the completion of ceremonies that proclaimed the Crown Prince's rise to first in line to the throne.
   The "Rikkoshi-no-Rei" ceremonies were completed in November 2020. The Crown Prince rose to first in line to the Imperial throne after the enthronement of his older brother, Emperor Naruhito, in May 2019.
   Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko first visited the "Geku" outer area of the shrine, where "Toyouke-no-Omikami," the god of food, clothing and housing, is enshrined. The couple then advanced to the "Seiden" main hall, where they made "tamagushi" Shinto ritual offerings and gave prayers.
   After that, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess will visit the "Naiku" inner area of the shrine, where the mythical Imperial ancestor "Amaterasu-Omikami" is enshrined, to offer prayers in the same manner.
   The Imperial Household Agency initially considered arranging the couple's visit to Ise Jingu right after the Rikkoshi-no-Rei ceremonies, but the plan was put on hold due the spread of the novel coronavirus. The schedule of their ongoing trip was set based on advice from infectious disease experts.