Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attended a tea gathering held together with the Japan Art Academy Prize on July 6.

This year's Japan Art Academy Prize, which honors individuals for outstanding achievements in the arts, was awarded to 12 recipients across 11 categories.

One of the recipients was director Lee Sang-il, whose sweeping film Kokuho, depicting the world of Kabuki, has received widespread acclaim.

Emperor Naruhito told Director Lee that the film was critically acclaimed, and Empress Masako asked the director what was the biggest challenge.

The Imperial Prize, presented to artists with particularly distinguished achievements, was awarded to internationally renowned architects Sejima Kazuyo and Nishizawa Ryue of the architectural firm SANAA, as well as stage director Kuriyama Tamiya. The recipients gave presentations on their work at the Imperial Palace.

The imperial couple and other imperial family members, including Princess Aiko and Princess Kako,  spoke with the award recipients during a tea gathering that was held after the presentations.