Masako Mania
The obsessive fans of the Japanese royal family
A colourful feature on royal idol worship, following a photographer dedicated to capturing the image of the Japanese crown princess.
A beautiful Princess is besieged by an army - an army of photographers. The crown Princess Masako enjoys the devoted attention of hundreds of camera clutching groupies. 31 year old Harumi Nishikawa is a woman obsessed. "When I look at the faces of the royal family, I feel rejuvenated and I can face the day." She queues outside the green fluted Imperial Place from the early hours of the morning to catch a glimpse of her heroine on the balcony. This tiara clad princess, daughter of a diplomat, has captured more Japanese hearts than Princess Diana. Back at Harumi's house 5-6 thousand photos prove her passion. She has even become a local celebrity, receiving her own fan mail. Will she ever stop taking photos of Masako? "Only when I'm so sick, sick, I see death around the corner."
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