Anio Princess: A Treasured Love Story Between a Viet Princess and Japanese Merchant

From March 2023, a big poster of the "Anio Princess" opera was hung in front of the headquarters of the Japanese Embassy in Hanoi. The opera, which attracted the attention of many passersby, is a project to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Vietnam and Japan's diplomatic relations.

Save each other from death

The story took place in the early 17th century. While sailing across the sea, Araki Sotaro, a merchant who sailed from Nagasaki to Cochinchina (now Central Vietnam) discovered a boat in distress. After rescuing the ship, he found four youngsters inside. One of them was Princess Ngoc Hoa, who then asked him to teach her Japanese. "Arigato" (Thank you) was the first word she learned.

Recreate the wedding of Princess Ngoc Hoa and a Japanese merchant in Hoi An.

Their second encounter only came ten years later, while Sotaro was helping the Vietnamese mahout to control a riotous elephant. Exhausted and hopeless before the angry animal that was about to attack, Sotaro suddenly heard a melodious tune played on a flute. Hearing the sound, the elephant suddenly stopped, leaving him a chance to save himself. It was Ngoc Hoa who played the flute. They recognized each other as he said to her "Arigato."

Fate is destined for them to become husband and wife. Sotaro brought Princess Ngoc Hoa to Nagasaki (Japan), where she was loved and called by the local people with a dear name "Anio san." "Anio" is the word for affection. Later on, all the pretty girls in the areas were referred to as "Anio san."

According to documents, when living in Japan, the princess taught local people to dance and cook Vietnamese dishes. She also contributed in the construction of Buddhist pagodas.

Ngoc Hoa's mirror at the Nagasaki Museum of History and Culture.

A story passed down for many generations

Honna Tetsuji, Music Director and Principal Conductor of the Vietnam Symphony Orchestra said he had the opportunity to visit Nagasaki and see with his own eyes the tombs of merchant Araki Sotaro and Princess Anior preserved and worshiped to this day. He was touched and wanted to put this story into art.

According to the music director, during the process of writing this opera, the entire band wanted to create a work that would be handed down for generations. Therefore, it is important to carefully study and understand historical evidence. “We contacted historical consultants of both Vietnam and Japan to build the most accurate and authentic work,” he said.

As Honorary Advisor of the project, Yamada Takio, Ambassador of Japan to Vietnam, hopes this opera to become an imprint of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan's diplomatic relations, helping to recall the past of Japan and Vietnam, further tightening the cohesion of the two peoples.

To express the cross-border love story, Japanese artists Kobori Yusuke and Yamamoto Kohei had to learn Vietnamese to participate in the opera "Anio Princess".

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