On 14th January, Ceremony of Utakai-Hajime (New Year’s Poetry Reading) took place at Imperial Palace.
The Ceremony of Utakai Hajime is a ceremony to read a collection of poems on a common theme. This year’s theme was “Hon (the alphabet which means book or origin).”
The poems including those chosen from submissions by the general public, poems of the selectors themselves, poems by professional poets and poems of Imperial Family were recited.
Imperial Household Agency released the English translation of the poems of Emperor, Empress, Crown Prince and Crown Princess at Imperial Household Agency Website.
IMPERIAL FAMILY OF JAPAN 
Are their Imperial Highnesses, the Royal Ladies, ever seen using the fans they carry or are they simply for ceremony?
I think it’s for ceremony.
I’ve never seen they wave fans.
Thank you.
Hi. When was the last time that HIH Princess Nobuko attended new year’s celebration, greeting, imperial lectures and poetry reading?
new year’s celeblation :2006
greeting :1996
lecture :1999
poetry :1999?