Moved by the thought that His Accession to the Throne occurred around the time when all sort of barriers separating East Europe and West were breaking down, leading to a period of great world change with possibilities for all people to better understand one another, His Majesty composed this poem.
For a friend who is spending each day in thankfulness for being restored to health and what she calls her "new life" down the days since her recovery, Her Majesty composed this poem in earnest hope and prayer that, somehow, time in its onward flow will be always gentle with her.
Taking eight year to complete, the Japan National Obsevatory's "Subaru Telescope" on the summit of Mauna Kea began functioning in September of 1999.
This poem recalls how the Subaru Telescpe investigates the world of stars whose light has finally reached the earth after millions of years.
In this poem, Her Imperial Highness call to mind the time she has spent with His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince during the seven years since their engagement.