Princess Masako: Prisoner of the Chrysanthemum Throne

This is a delightful read. The author obviously put a lot of time into research. One learns about the sad fate of the Princess; furthermore, this work reveals a great deal about the Japanese monarchy and its structure and customs.

I'm very interested in Japanese history and culture, and had followed the saga of Masako and the Prince back in the day. I was truly hoping she'd find a way NOT to marry him, as it seemed so wrong a choice for her. The info in the book was truly heartbreaking. But how it was written? Aussie snarkiness. Oh well. Worth a read to find out the gossip, but not much more. It was a tough slog.

Although this book has some negative reviews, maybe from Japan's Imperial House or from real experts on Japanese culture, , I found it particularly interesting for trying to built a story hidden in secrecy and tradition by knitting it through just about anyone close to the Imperial couple that allowed themselves to be interviewed. Some times authors look for the "right" people to tell a story. What happened when the "wrong people" tell the story, is it less valúa le to understand reality? This research method may sounds non academic but I find it close to some historical research trends such as micro history. The book reveals a lot of interesting facts about Japan's Imperial lifestyle, I don't know if they are true or not but it certainly sparked my interest in doing more research on Japan' Imperial Family and history. . No culture can be evaluated on other way than on it's own terms. No tradition either in western society or eastern society can claim to have the thruth, Princess Masako story is able to intrigue you on the fabulous cultural mosaic that form the world and how traditions and cultures are constructed. Sorry that she has to be sacrificed to keep all this tradition alive, hope that some day she gets released from this Gold cage life. Although the book lacks depth in some parts and historical rigurosity, it shows a fresh interest in Masako's life which will force me to research moré on Masako but most important on how each culture build their own set of thruth and reproduce then through out history without questioning them.

Highly interesting, author seems well informed and writes well enough to keep me going. I have to have a minimum a decent style or my eyes slide right off the page. Very well done.

I happen to know Pricess Masako's family rather well through family connections. The book is entertaining, but very crude and therefore cruel as well, full of innuendo. I would describe this book as cruel, not tragic. Her father, Ambassador Owada is an incredible gentleman, her mother quite a fine lady. I am sorry I bought the book because it contributes to feed malintentioned rumors.

Mr. Hills gives a very well researched account of the marriage and life of Princess Masako. Through interviews with former classmates, teachers, friends both Japanese and foreigners abroad, an insight is shown into her life and her husband Naruhito that I felt couldn't be attained elsewhere. The book reveals a very fascinating, but profoundly sad story.I admit, I don't take to "Royal Watching" as a hobby. I'm aware of the 1-star reviews that claim "nothing new" was revealed. However, I found the culture of the Imperial Family and it's history very illuminating. As with any good biography, Mr. Hills provides detailed background information of both Masako's family and long history of the Imperial Family. If you like reading about Japanese culture and perhaps a glimpse into the veiled world of the Chrysanthemum world, you'll enjoy this book. It's goes far beyond the typical neutral articles on this story you'll find.I didn't mind Mr. Hills casual writing style. The Australian slang threw me a bit off guard at times, but it doesn't read like a "tabloid." If you prefer books about Japan that sound like they were written by your stuffy college professor, then this book is NOT for you.A note about the Kindle edition:I don't understand why there is several pages of an index when the entries give no page number (okay, it's a Kindle), or any link back to the page. Useless!

The book was really smashing to read & was not ambiguous at all. It was straight to the point & showed the good & the bad. There are a lot of hard responsibilitys and NOT fun & games !!

Australian journalist Ben Hills might as well not have bothered. This is a disappointing second-rate effort at revealing Princess Masako, in fact, very little of anything is revealed. Very little about Harvard-trained Masako Owada, who married into the Japanese Imperial family, and absolutely nothing new about her life as Princess Masako is revealed here. Of course, little enough might have been expected since it's no accident that less is known about the secluded lives of the Japanese imperial family than about any other royal house in history - the iron control of the Kunaicho, the ancient apparatus of functionaries that controls every detail of imperial life, has for 2500 years successfully seen to the absolute secrecy of the dynasty's every move and motivation. Included is way too much uninteresting detail about Masako's businessman father, his typical absentee style of fatherhood and the acquisition of his wealth and position in Japanese society. I can commend the author for his choice of subject - I'd be interested to really learn something of Masako's royal life, but not likely to happen given the petrified nature of the Japanese imperial court and the impenetrable control of the Kunaicho. Two sections of worthwhile photos are included, and a few historical facts about the imperial family. Worse, a completely useless chapter called 'The Last Emperor' details statistically the ruin of royal houses during the 20th century. Boring. Beautiful cover formal photograph of Princess Masako. The book is naturally attractive, attractiveness unrequited once you open its pages. If you know nothing of the Japanese imperial family, you might find the book somewhat useful. Skip it if you're looking for fresh information not already available from other sources.

Couldn’t put it down

Very superficial content. The author is expressing a lot of personal and very etnocentric opinions. Arrogant attitude. References to British royalties lacking critical thinking.

英語はとてもやさしいですし、確かに内容もたいしたことがありません。日本人には目新しくないし、だいたい想像がつくことばかりです。それに、確かに、細かい部分で、日本について間違った理解をしているところは、日本人的には目につきます。　ただ、ひとつ思ったことは、この程度の本でも皇室にかかわる物は日本では出せないんだ！という点です。確かに、宮内庁や外務省が指摘するような細かい間違いを上げたらきりがありませんが、間違いだらけの本なんて、他にも五万とあるのに、なぜ皇室についてだけは、１００％正確な本しか許されないのかな？と思ったわけです。たとえば、イギリスなどでは、皇室の風刺などが沢山でているようですし、ダイアナ妃についての本も、すべてが正確だとはとても思えません。　その内容が、正しいかどうかは、読者である日本人が決めるべき事だと思うのです。　それを、外務省や、宮内庁が、著作者や出版社にまで圧力をかけるという事実に、逆に恐ろしさを感じました。　だから、読む方は、内容の評価もさることながら、これが国家権力で出版禁止になるほどの内容かどうか？という視点で読むのも良いのではないでしょうか？　そういう、言論の自由を考える本として、星５つにしてみました。　みなさんも、ぜひ、読んで、考えてみて下さい。

The true sad story of Princess Masako....very worth a read

宮内庁が著者に抗議の書簡（宮内庁Web頁参照。皇室のらい病関連努力の無視を批判。「政府は、この本の描いている皇室像が如何に歪んだものであるかに驚き、．．．」）を送り、講談社は「自発的に」日本語訳本出版を中止したという報道を見て、俄然興味が湧いて読んでみた。結論は、暇つぶしには面白いかも知れないが、忙しい人が敢えて読む本ではない。　日本人は皆非公式情報で知っていることだが、宮内庁は決して認めていないことが幾つかある。それを本書は無遠慮に書いてしまったから、宮内庁は黙ってはいられない。例えば、(1)雅子妃は国際人で自己主張があり過ぎるからと宮内庁は反対、小和田家も本人も反対だったが、皇太子が押し切った。(2)美智子妃の時も宮内庁は反対した。(3)雅子妃は公式発表の「適応障害」ではなく「うつ病」。(4)その原因は宮内庁が課す「籠の鳥」環境。など。　一方で本書には上記書簡で指摘されたような重要な誤りの他に、無数のつまらぬミスが散在している。後者の例では、(1) Tokyo suburb of Toranomon (p49)--> 都心のど真ん中。 (2) first capitals at Osaka,... (p194) --> 発音は似ているが明日香だろう!! (3) 南朝の後亀山天皇がhis capital of Osakaから京都に行き北朝に譲位 --> 吉野。(4) Nagoya, south of Tokyo (p245) --> 西だよ。著者の妻は日本人の写真家だと序にあったが、要するに大急ぎで書いた上に常識ある日本人に一度も見せていないらしい。　結局本書は、卓越した女性雅子妃が、皇太子の求婚を断りきれずに外交官の経歴と平民の自由を捨て、自我と能力がほとんど無視される環境に囚われてしまった悲劇を描き、読者の同情を誘っている。本書は一義的には、日本のことを知らない外人を対象に書かれたと思う。だから珍しい日本の風習が強調され、南朝が大阪でも吉野でも大差はない。日本人にとって本書は、宮内庁が進める伝統的な皇室のあり方と雅子妃の矛盾を赤裸々に指摘した以外には、あまり新しい内容ではない。ただ私見としては、今のうちにもっと開放された皇室にしておかないと、皇室の存在意義が問われ兼ねない時代が必ず来ると思う。