Sports · Other Sports · 1 hr ago
Japan's emperor asks about the decline of the penhold grip in table tennis
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako watched table tennis at Japan's National Sports Festival in Aomori Prefecture on Oct.
11.
During the competition, Naruhito asked whether there were any players using the penhold grip.
That grip holds the paddle much like a pen or calligraphy brush.
It has declined worldwide as more players use the shakehand grip, which is considered better suited to modern offensive and defensive play.
The emperor's question drew attention to how playing styles in the sport have changed.
The couple also viewed Nebuta festival floats and visited a welfare complex, where they spoke with older people and children.
Emperor Naruhito asked whether any table tennis players still use the penhold grip while watching a competition in Aomori Prefecture.
He watched the match on Oct. 11, 2026, with Empress Masako at the National Sports Festival.
The penhold grip has declined worldwide as the shakehand grip is considered better suited to modern offensive and defensive play.
The imperial couple also viewed Nebuta festival floats and visited a welfare complex.
- Who
- Emperor Naruhito, with Empress Masako.
- What
- Naruhito asked whether there were any penhold-grip players while watching table tennis.
- When
- Oct. 11, 2026.
- Where
- The National Sports Festival in Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan.
- Why
- The emperor’s question reflected the apparent decline of the penhold grip; the source does not state why he asked.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Are there no penholder players?
They are very impressive.
I learned tea ceremony a little in the past.
Naruhito and Masako watched a table tennis competition at the National Sports Festival in Aomori Prefecture.
The couple viewed Nebuta festival floats at a tourist facility and visited a welfare complex.
- Location
- Aomori Prefecture, northeastern Japan
- Event
- National Sports Festival
- Date
- Oct. 11, 2026
- Grip
- Penhold grip, holding the paddle similarly to a pen or calligraphy brush
- Alternative grip
- Shakehand grip, with the palm wrapped around the handle
Sources
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