On October 2nd, Princess Aiko, the eldest daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, visited the 57th Contemporary Women's Calligraphy Exhibition held at the Takashimaya department store in Nihonbashi, Tokyo. This visit marks her first attendance at the exhibition, which is traditionally attended by female members of the royal family. The exhibition features the works of 123 female calligraphers, showcasing various styles such as kanji, kana, and engraving. Princess Aiko spent over 40 minutes examining the artworks, expressing appreciation for the dedication evident in each piece, commenting on the strong emotions behind individual characters, and observing the substantial use of ink in certain works.

During her visit, Princess Aiko engaged with the exhibits, notably admiring a work titled 'Ishi Bashiru' by Ikuko Motohashi, based on a poem from the Man'yōshū, an ancient Japanese poetry anthology. She recognized the poetic reference and was particularly captivated by the arrangement of kana characters and the excellent quality of the paper used. Princess Aiko also remarked on the beauty of the poem, stating it reflected the charm of spring. As a budding calligrapher herself, she prepares to create her short poems in brushwork for the New Year’s poetry event, highlighting her growing interest in the art. Before leaving, she conveyed her eagerness to learn more about calligraphy to the exhibiting artists.