by Susan Flantzer

The Great Thanksgiving Festival (Daijo-sai) is the last and most controversial of the accession ceremonies because it is the one in which Emperor Naruhito of Japan is united to his traditional ancestor the sun goddess Amaterasu to share in her divinity. There is no mention of this ceremony in the Constitution imposed by the American occupation forces after World War II. Its legality was questioned after the accession of Emperor Akihito.

The ceremony requires that two thatched-roof huts, each with two rooms be built within a special enclosure. One room contains a large couch at the center and the second room is used by musicians. These two structures represent the house of the previous Emperor and that of the new Emperor.

After a ritual bath, Emperor Naruhito will be dressed in the white silk dress of a Shinto priest but with a special long train. Surrounded by courtiers, the Emperor will solemnly enter the enclosure and then each of the huts in turn and perform the same ritual twice, from 6:30 to 9:30 PM in the first hut and from 12:30 to 3:30 AM in the second hut. A mat will be unrolled before the Emperor and then rolled up again as he walks so that his feet never touch the ground. A special umbrella will be held over the Emperor’s head that prevents any defilement of his sacred person coming from the air above him.

During the ritual, Emperor Naruhito will kneel on a mat facing towards the direction of the Ise Grand Shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu and will make an offering of sacred rice, sake, millet, fish and a variety of other foods from both the land and the sea to the sun goddess Amaterasu. Then he will eat some of the sacred rice himself, as an act of divine communion which consummates his unity with Amaterasu, making him the intermediary between Amaterasu and the Japanese people.

Works Cited

• En.wikipedia.org. (2018). Enthronement of the Japanese Emperor. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enthronement_of_the_Japanese_Emperor [Accessed 27 Oct. 2018].
• Weisman, S. (1990). AKIHITO PERFORMS HIS SOLITARY RITE. [online] Nytimes.com. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/1990/11/23/world/akihito-performs-his-solitary-rite.html [Accessed 27 Oct. 2018].

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On October 22, 2019, the Enthronement Ceremony (Sokui-Rei) of Emperor Naruhito of Japan will be held. This is the third of the four ceremonies traditionally held when a new emperor ascends the throne. Around 200 foreign heads of state and other dignitaries are expected to attend Emperor Naruhito’s Enthronement Ceremony.

Below is the information from our article Ceremonies: Abdication of Emperor Akihito and Accession and Enthronement of Emperor Naruhito involving the Enthronement Ceremony. For more information about the Imperial Family of Japan, see Unofficial Royalty: State of Japan Index.

October 22, 2019: Enthronement Ceremony (Sokui-Rei)

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• YouTube: Emperor of Japan Enthronement Ceremony 1990

Plans for the Enthronement Ceremony are expected to be similar to Emperor Akihito’s Enthronement Ceremony in 1990 which was televised. Heads of state from seventy countries and royalty from twenty countries attended the 1990 Enthronement Ceremony. Around 200 foreign heads of state and other dignitaries are expected to attend Emperor Naruhito’s Enthronement Ceremony.

First, Emperor Naruhito will inform his ancestors that he has ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne. Next will come the actual enthronement. This will take place in an enclosure called the Takamikura which contains a simple chair. At the same time, Empress Masako will move to a separate enclosure beside her husband’s which also contains a simple chair where she will also be enthroned.

Emperor Naruhito will proceed to the simple chair and after being seated, two of the Three Sacred Treasures (the sword and the jewel) along with the Privy Seal of Japan and the Great Seal of Japan will be placed on stands next to him. A simple wooden scepter will then be presented to the Emperor.

Embed from Getty Images

The Emperor will face the Prime Minister who represents the people of Japan. The Emperor will announce his accession to the throne and call upon the Japanese people to assist him in attaining all of his aspirations. The Prime Minister will reply promising fidelity and devotion. This will be followed by three cheers of “Banzai!”  from all present.

• • Imperial Household Agency: Announcement on the Ceremonies of the Accession to the Throne of His Majesty the Emperor on October 22, 2019

by Susan Flantzer  © Unofficial Royalty 2019

On May 1, 2019, the day 59-year-old Emperor Naruhito of Japan succeeded to the Chrysanthemum Throne after the abdication of his 85-year-old father Emperor Akihito, there were three people in the line of succession: the new Emperor’s 53-year-old brother Crown Prince Akishino, his 12-year-old nephew Prince Hisahito, and his 83-year-old uncle Prince Hitachi. There is male-line, male-only succession in Japan and it is highly probable that there will not be another person in the line of succession until Prince Hisahito, born in 2006, marries and has a son. This situation screams succession crisis.

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Imperial Sons

Since 1901, there have been only 12 males born into the Imperial Family. Four of those males had no children and an additional three of them had no sons.

• Emperor Taishō (1879 – 1926) – four sons
  • Hirohito, Emperor Shōwa (1901 – 1989) – two sons, five daughters
    • Emperor Emeritus Akihito (born 1933, abdicated 2019) – two sons, one daughter
      • Emperor Naruhito (born 1960) – no sons, one daughter
      • Crown Prince Akishino (born 1965) – one son, two daughters
        • Prince Hisahito (born 2006)
    • Prince Hitachi (born 1935) – no children
  • Prince Chichibu (1902 – 1953) – no children
  • Prince Takamatsu (1905 – 1987) – no children
  • Prince Mikasa (1915 – 2016) – three sons, two daughters
    • Prince Tomohito of Mikasa (1946 – 2012) – no sons, two daughters
    • Prince Katsura of Mikasa (1948 – 2014) – unmarried, no children
    • Prince Takamado of Mikasa (1954 – 2002) – no sons, three daughters

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Imperial Daughters

On May 1, 2019, the day Emperor Naruhito succeeded to the throne, there were six living princesses and seven living former princesses who, upon their marriage, gave up their imperial title and left the Imperial Family as required by the 1947 Imperial House Law. Compare that to only three princes living on that same date: Crown Prince Akishino, Prince Hisahito, and Prince Hitachi.

Living Princesses of the Blood Imperial, all unmarried

• Princess Aiko, born 2001, the only child of Emperor Naruhito
• Princess Kako of Akishino, born 1994, daughter of Crown Prince Akishino
• Princess Akiko of Tomohito, born 1981, daughter of Prince Tomohito, granddaughter of Prince Mikasa
• Princess Yōko of Tomohito, born 1983, daughter of Prince Tomohito, granddaughter of Prince Mikasa
• Princess Tsuguko of Takamado, born 1986, daughter of Prince Takamado, granddaughter of Prince Mikasa

Living former Princesses of the Blood Imperial who lost their Imperial status and title upon marriage

• Sayako Kuroda, formerly Sayako, Princess Nori, born 1969, daughter of Emperor Akihito, no children
• Atsuko Ikeda, formerly Atsuko, Princess Yori, born 1931, daughter of Emperor Shōwa (Hirohito), no children
• Takako Shimazu, formerly Takako, Princess Suga, born 1939, daughter of Emperor Shōwa (Hirohito), had one son
• Yasuko Konoe, formerly Princess Yasuko of Mikasa born 1944, daughter of Prince Mikasa, had one son
• Masako Sen, formerly Princess Masako of Mikasa, born 1951, daughter of Prince Mikasa, had two sons and one daughter
• Noriko Senge, formerly Princess Noriko of Takamado, born 1988, daughter of Prince Takamado, granddaughter of Prince Mikasa, no children yet
• Ayako Moriya, formerly Princess Ayako of Takamado, born 1990, daughter of Prince Takamado, granddaughter of Prince Mikasa, has two sons
• Mako Kaouro, formerly Princess Mako of Akishino, born 1991, daughter of Crown Prince Akishino, no children yet

Deceased Princess of the Blood Imperial with descendants who lost her Imperial status and title upon marriage

• Shigeko Higashikuni, formerly Shigeko, Princess Teru (1925 – 1961), daughter of Emperor Shōwa (Hirohito), had four sons and one daughter

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How did the succession work in the past?
Before the start of the modernization of Japan by the Meiji Restoration in 1868, the succession was more or less based upon agnatic seniority, which meant the order of succession to the throne preferred the monarch’s younger brother over the monarch’s own sons. In theory, any male or female in a male-line from the early Japanese monarchs who descended in direct male-line from the first emperor Jimmu could succeed to the throne. This resulted in brothers, sons, and other males of the immediate male-line family, other male-line relatives, and occasionally distant male cousins becoming Emperor. Adoption was possible and was often used to increase the number of heirs. However, the adopted child had to be a child of another member of the imperial house.

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Were there Empresses who reigned in Japan?
Before the Meiji Restoration, eight women reigned as Empress of Japan. Two of those empresses, after abdicating, became Empress again reigning under different names. All the empresses were male-line imperial daughters or granddaughters. Usually, an Empress reigned if a suitable male was not available or some branches of the Imperial Family were in dispute and a compromise was needed.

• Nukatabe, Empress Suiko, reigned 593 until 628
• Takara, Empress Kōgyoku, reigned 642 – 645, abdicated, then reigned again as Empress Saimei from 655 – 661
• Unonosasara, Empress Jitō, reigned 686 – 697
• Ahe, Empress Genmei, reigned 707 – 715
• Hitaka, Empress Genshō, reigned 715 – 724
• Abe, Empress Kōken, reigned 749 – 758, abdicated, then reigned again as Empress Shōtoku from 764 – 770
• Okiko, Empress Meishō, reigned 1629 – 1643
• Toshiko, Empress Go-Sakuramachi, reigned 1762 – 1771

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How did the succession change during the reign of Emperor Meiji (reigned 1867 – 1912)?
In the Constitution of the Empire of Japan enacted in 1890 during the reign of Emperor Meiji, Article 2 stated: “The Imperial Throne shall be succeeded to by Imperial male descendants, according to the provisions of the Imperial House Law.” This meant there was no possibility of an Empress reigning.
Full Text of the Constitution of the Empire of Japan

Article 2 of the Constitution worked along with Chapter 1 of the 1889 Imperial Household Law (listed below) which stated succession was only by male descendants in the male-line and that male descendants in the male-line of the nearest collateral branch of the Imperial Family could succeed if the main-line had no males.

Chapter 1, Article IV below actually deals with sons of concubines of Emperors. If the Empress did not give birth to a son, the Emperor could take a concubine, and the son he had by that concubine would be recognized as heir to the throne. Both Emperor Meiji and Emperor Taishō were sons of concubines.  Emperor Meiji was the last Emperor to take concubines.

In addition, the 1889 Imperial Household Law in Chapter VII Article XLII, The Imperial Family stated: “No member of the Imperial Family can adopt anyone as his son.” This ended a long-standing tradition.

Text of the 1889 Imperial Household Law Chapter I – Succession to the Imperial Throne
Full text of the 1889 Imperial Household Law

• Article I. The Imperial Throne of Japan shall be succeeded to by male descendants in the male line of Imperial Ancestors.
• Article II. The Imperial Throne shall be succeeded to by the Imperial eldest son.
• Article III. When there is no Imperial eldest son, the Imperial Throne shall be succeeded to by the Imperial eldest grandson. When there is neither Imperial eldest son nor any male descendant of his, it shall be succeeded to by the Imperial son next in age, and so on in every successive case.
• Article IV. For succession to the Imperial Throne by an Imperial descendant, the one of full blood shall have precedence over descendants of half-blood. The succession to the Imperial Throne by the latter shall be limited to those cases only in which there is no Imperial descendent of full blood.
• Article V. If there is no Imperial descendant, the Imperial Throne shall be succeeded to by an Imperial brother and by his descendants.
• Article VI. If there is no such Imperial brother or descendant of his; the Imperial Throne shall be succeeded to by an Imperial uncle and his descendants.
• Article VII. If there is neither such Imperial uncle nor descendant of his, the Imperial Throne shall be succeeded to by the next nearest member among the rest of the Imperial Family.
• Article VIII. Among the Imperial brothers and the remote descendants, precedence shall be given, in the same degree, to the descendants of full blood, and to the elder over the younger.
• Article IX. If the Imperial heir is suffering from an incurable disease of mind or body, or when any weighty cause exists, the order of succession may be changed in accordance with foregoing provisions, with the advice of the Imperial Family Council with that of the Privy Council.

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How did the succession change after World War II?
The Constitution of Japan, written under influence of the Allied Occupation of Japan led by American General Douglas MacArthur and enacted on May 3, 1947, was the new constitution for a post-war Japan. Article 2 of the new constitution stated: “The Imperial Throne shall be dynastic and succeeded to in accordance with the Imperial House Law passed by the Diet.” (The Diet is the legislature of Japan.)
Full text Constitution of Japan

The Imperial House Law of 1947 was passed by the Diet on January 16, 1947, and superseded the Imperial Household Law of 1889.
Full text Imperial House Law of 1947

The new Imperial House Law retained some laws from the 1889 Imperial Household Law: only males in the male-line can succeed and members of the Imperial Family may not adopt children.  There was a specific line of succession:

The Imperial Throne shall be passed to the members of the Imperial Family according to the following order:

1. The eldest son of the Emperor
2. The eldest son of the Emperor’s eldest son
3. Other descendants of the eldest son of the Emperor
4. The second son of the Emperor and his descendants
5. Other descendants of the Emperor
6. Brothers of the Emperor and their descendants
7. Uncles of the Emperor and their descendants

In case there is no member of the Imperial Family listed above, the throne shall be passed to the member of the Imperial family next nearest in lineage. Precedence shall be given to the senior line and to the senior member.

A major change was caused by an effort to control the size of the Imperial Family. Members of collateral branches, other than the main branch descending from Emperor Taishō, would no longer have any titles or status and the males from the collateral branches could no longer succeed if the main-line had no males. This measure caused eleven collateral branches of the Imperial Family to be eliminated and 51 people reduced to being commoners. In hindsight, perhaps this change went too far because it appears the Japanese Imperial Family is being gradually reduced to a nuclear family. In practicality, with the current succession laws, the Imperial Family now has only one person who can provide any heirs, a boy born in 2006 who will not marry for years.

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Besides being barred from the succession, what other issues affect Princesses of the Imperial Blood?
Under the 1889 Imperial Household Law, a female member of the Imperial Family, who married a commoner was excluded from membership in the Imperial Family. However, she could have been allowed, by special grace of the Emperor to retain her Imperial title.

Under the 1947 Imperial House Law, Imperial princesses similarly would lose their status as Imperial Family members and their Imperial title if they marry outside the Imperial Family. However, there is no provision to retain the Imperial title with the Emperor’s permission as in the 1889 Imperial House Law. Losing imperial status, in particular, seems quite unfair. Prior to the 1947 Imperial House Law, princesses could marry princes from collateral branches and retain their position in the Imperial Family. With the elimination of collateral branches, princesses would have to marry their cousins to retain their status.

In addition, it seems ironic that a princess who cannot succeed to the throne, whose children will not be princes and princess, and whose children cannot succeed to the throne, loses her Imperial status if she marries a commoner when a prince who is in the line of succession, whose children will be princes and princesses and whose sons will be in the line of succession, can marry a commoner and retain his Imperial status.

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Embed from Getty Images
Prince and Princess Akishino leave the hospital after the birth of Prince Hisahito

What has happened to relieve the succession crisis?
In reality, not much.  On December 1, 2001, a daughter, Princess Aiko, was born to Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako (Emperor and Empress of Japan since May 1, 2019).  There had not been a male born in the Imperial Family since the birth of Emperor Naruhito’s brother Crown Prince Akishino in 1965.

In 2002, shortly after the birth of Princess Aiko, 90-year-old Princess Takamatsu, the widow of Emperor Shōwa’s brother Prince Takamatsu, argued that Japan should change its male-only succession law. Writing in the monthly magazine Fujin-Koron, Princess Takamatsu said: “Like the Elizabethan and Victorian eras in Britain, there were many examples in foreign countries where a nation thrived under the rule of a queen.”

In 2004, then Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Prince Masako had been married for eleven years and still only had one child, a daughter. A ten-member advisory council was formed in late 2004 to advise the prime minister on revising the 1947 Imperial House Law dealing with the succession. On January 20, 2006, Prime Minister Junichirō Koizumi pledged to submit a bill to the Japanese Diet (legislature) allowing women to succeed to the throne so that the succession to the throne could be continued into the future in a stable manner. No timing or particular content of the bill was provided.

However, Prince Tomohito, the cousin of Emperor Akihito, had another view. Prince Tomohito suggested that to preserve male succession, distant cousins of the emperor should be brought back into the line of succession either by adoption or by the creation of new royal houses. More controversially, Prince Tomohito suggested that male members of the Imperial Family could once again take concubines to ensure a supply of sons.

On September 6, 2006, Prince and Princess Akishino, Emperor Akihito’s second son and his wife, had a son, Prince Hisahito. Princess Akishino was 40 years old at the time of Prince Hisahito’s birth and had two daughters, ages 15 and 12, so it would seem her childbearing days were over. Was the birth of Prince Hisahito merely a fortuitous occurrence or a very well-planned pregnancy with procedures done to ensure a male heir would be born? On January 3, 2007, Prime Minister Shinzō Abe announced that he would drop the proposal to allow women to succeed to the throne.

According to the article linked below from The Mainichi on April 25, 2019, “Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said in an interview with the Mainichi Shimbun here on April 24 that the government will consider measures to secure the stability of Imperial succession after November, following a series of rituals related to the enthronement of the new emperor.” However, in November 2020, it was recommended that the discussion regarding the succession be shelved until Prince Hisahito becomes an adult and has children.

• The Mainichi: Japan to consider Imperial succession issue after November: Suga

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Embed from Getty Images
The Imperial Family of Japan at Emperor Akihito’s last New Year’s appearance on January 2, 2019

What could happen to relieve the succession crisis?
Japan has high levels of gender inequality and this is apparent in various aspects of social life from the family to employment to political representation. It is not surprising that gender inequality is also manifested in the Imperial Family.  Japan, as a nation, has much work to do in the area of gender equality.

Japan is not the only monarchy with agnatic primogeniture, male-line, male-only succession. The Arab monarchies, which also have high levels of gender inequality, all follow some form of male-only succession. Liechtenstein also has male-line, male-only succession. A United Nations committee has questioned the compatibility of Liechtenstein’s succession law with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

All other European monarchies except for Monaco and Spain have absolute cognatic primogeniture in which the succession passes to the eldest child of the sovereign regardless of gender. (Note: In the United Kingdom, this applies only to those born after October 28, 2011. Those born before that date follow male-preference cognatic primogeniture.) Monaco and Spain have male-preference cognatic primogeniture in which a female can succeed if she has no living brothers and no deceased brothers who left surviving legitimate descendants.

At the very least, Japan could change its succession law to allow male-preference cognatic primogeniture. They could also do away with the law that stipulates Imperial princesses lose their status as Imperial Family members and their Imperial titles if they marry outside the Imperial Family. These measures would certainly relieve the succession crisis and bring Japan in line with the other highly developed monarchies.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Works Cited

• Curtin, S. (2006). Japan’s Imperial Succession Debate and Women s Rights | The Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus. [online] Apjjf.org. Available at: https://apjjf.org/-J.-Sean-Curtin/1651/article.html [Accessed 3 Feb. 2019].
• En.wikipedia.org. (2019). Gender inequality in Japan. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_inequality_in_Japan [Accessed 3 Feb. 2019].
• En.wikipedia.org. (2019). Japanese absolute primogeniture debate. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_absolute_primogeniture_debate [Accessed 3 Feb. 2019].
• En.wikipedia.org. (2019). Line of succession to the Japanese throne. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Line_of_succession_to_the_Japanese_throne [Accessed 3 Feb. 2019].
• En.wikisource.org. (2019). Constitution of Japan – Wikisource, the free online library. [online] Available at: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Constitution_of_Japan [Accessed 3 Feb. 2019].
• En.wikisource.org. (2019). Imperial House Law – Wikisource, the free online library. [online] Available at: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Imperial_House_Law [Accessed 3 Feb. 2019].
• En.wikisource.org. (2019). Imperial Household Law (1889) – Wikisource, the free online library. [online] Available at: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Imperial_Household_Law_(1889) [Accessed 3 Feb. 2019].
• Joyce, C. (2005). Forget empress, let’s have concubines, says prince. [online] Telegraph.co.uk. Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/japan/1502249/Forget-empress-lets-have-concubines-says-prince.html [Accessed 3 Feb. 2019].
• Ndl.go.jp. The Constitution of the Empire of Japan | Birth of the Constitution of Japan. [online] Available at: http://www.ndl.go.jp/constitution/e/etc/c02.html [Accessed 3 Feb. 2019].
• News.bbc.co.uk. (2002). BBC News | ASIA-PACIFIC | Princess backs Japan succession change. [online] Available at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1746886.stm [Accessed 3 Feb. 2019].

by Susan Flantzer  © Unofficial Royalty 2019

Japan is the world’s oldest continuous hereditary monarchy. According to legend, Emperor Jimmu, the first Emperor of Japan, reigned 660–585 BC. Emperor Naruhito is the 126th Emperor of Japan.

• Wikipedia: List of Emperors of Japan

This is the first time an Emperor of Japan has abdicated since Japan adopted a constitutional monarchy in 1947. The last abdication occurred 200 years ago when Emperor Kōkaku abdicated in 1817. The era of Emperor Akihito’s reign is called Heisei and he will be renamed Emperor Heisei after his death. When Emperor Akihito abdicated, he received the title of Jōkō, an abbreviation of Daijō Tennō (Retired Emperor) and a new era was established for Emperor Naruhito.  On April 1, 2019, it was announced that Naruhito will reign over the Reiwa era. The term for the new era is made up of the two characters Rei and Wa. Rei means “commands” or “order” and also “auspicious” or “good”. Wa means “harmony” and is also used in the Japanese word for “peace” – hei-wa.

• Wikipedia: Reiwa period

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Schedule of Events

• April 30, 2019: Emperor Akihito abdicates, Abdication Ceremony
• May 1, 2019: Crown Prince Naruhito ascends the Chrysanthemum Throne, a new era begins, Presentation of the Three Sacred Treasures
• October 22, 2019: Enthronement Ceremony (Sokui-Rei)
• November 14-15, 2019: Great Thanksgiving Festival (Daijo-sai)

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April 30, 2019: Emperor Akihito abdicates, Abdication Ceremony

The Abdication Ceremony was held in the Seiden-Matsu-no-Ma, a room reserved for extremely important events. Prime Minister Shinzō Abe gave a speech outlining the reason for the abdication and express his gratitude to Emperor Akihito. This was followed by Emperor Akihito’s final speech from the throne.

Embed from Getty Images 
Emperor Akihito reading his final speech

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May 1, 2019: Crown Prince Naruhito ascends the Chrysanthemum Throne, a new era begins, Presentation of the Three Sacred Treasures

This ceremony usually takes place immediately after the death of the preceding Emperor when a priest presents boxes containing two of the Three Sacred Treasures to the new Emperor. Unlike other monarchies, Japan has no crown and the Three Sacred Treasures are considered to be the regalia of the Empire of Japan.  By tradition, the Three Sacred Treasures are seen only by the Emperor and certain priests. The Emperor also received the Privy Seal of Japan and the Great Seal of Japan.

The Three Sacred Treasures are:

• The Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi (Grasscutter Sword), a sword representing valor, usually enshrined at the Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya, Japan
• The Yasakani-no-Magatama, a jewel in the shape of a comma representing benevolence, usually enshrined at the Three Palace Sanctuaries on the grounds of Imperial Palace in Tokyo
• The Yata-no-Kagami, a mirror representing wisdom. This is the most important of the treasures. It is permanently enshrined in the Ise Grand Shrine, located in Ise, Japan, as the go-shintai or the embodiment of the Sun Goddess Amaterasu and is not presented during the ceremony.

Embed from Getty Images
Emperor Naruhito receiving the boxes containing the Sacred Treasures

Imperial messengers and priests were sent to the Ise Grand Shrine and to the tomb-shrines of the four Emperors whose reigns immediately preceded the new Emperor to inform them of his accession to the Chrysanthemum Throne.

Embed from Getty Images
Emperor Naruhito giving his first address

Later, Emperor Naruhito gave his first address before the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President of the House of Councilors, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and other government officials. The new emperor pledged to protect the constitution and perform his duties as stated in the constitution. He also wished for Japan’s prosperity, world peace and the welfare of all people.

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October 22, 2019: Enthronement Ceremony (Sokui-Rei)

• YouTube: Japanese Emperor Naruhito’s coronation ceremony at the Imperial Palace

The Enthronement Ceremony was similar to Emperor Akihito’s Enthronement Ceremony in 1990 which was televised. Heads of state from seventy countries and royalty from twenty countries attended the 1990 Enthronement Ceremony. Emperor Naruhito’s Enthronement Ceremony was attended by about 2,000 official guests, including foreign heads of state, royalty, and other dignitaries from 183 countries.

Earlier in the morning in a separate ceremony, Emperor Naruhito informed his ancestors that he had ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne.  Next, came the actual enthronement which took place in the Tokyo Imperial Palace’s Seiden-Matsu-no-Ma (Room of Pine). In the room were two enclosures called the Takamikura and each contained a simple chair. With the curtains to the enclosure closed, Emperor Naruhito entered from the rear and was seated on the chair. Two of the Three Sacred Treasures (the sword and the jewel) along with the Privy Seal of Japan and the Great Seal of Japan were placed on stands next to him. A simple wooden scepter was then be presented to the Emperor. At the same time, Empress Masako similarly moved to a separate enclosure beside her husband’s which also contained a simple chair.

At the sound of a gong, two chamberlains and two ladies-in-waiting, opened the curtains of the enclosures, revealing the Emperor and the Empress. Emperor Naruhito faced Prime Minister Shinzō Abe who represented the people of Japan. The Emperor announced his accession to the throne and called upon the Japanese people to assist him in attaining all of his aspirations.

The Emperor’s address:

Having previously succeeded to the Imperial Throne in accordance with the Constitution of Japan and the Special Measures Law on the Imperial House Law, I now perform the Ceremony of Enthronement at the Seiden State Hall and proclaim my enthronement to those at home and abroad.

I deeply reflect anew that for more than 30 years on the Throne, His Majesty the Emperor Emeritus constantly prayed for the happiness of the people and world peace, always sharing in the joys and sorrows of the people, and showing compassion through his own bearing. I pledge hereby that I shall act according to the Constitution and fulfill my responsibility as the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people of Japan, while always wishing for the happiness of the people and the peace of the world, turning my thoughts to the people and standing by them.

I sincerely hope that our country, through our people’s wisdom and unceasing efforts, achieves further development and contributes to the friendship and peace of the international community and the welfare and prosperity of humankind.

Next, Prime Minister Shinzō Abe gave a congratulatory address promising fidelity and devotion. This was followed by three cheers of “Banzai!” (“ten thousand years”) from all present.

The only people in the room were members of the Imperial Family, court chamberlains, ladies-in-waiting, Prime Minister Shinzō Abe, the leaders of the two houses of the Japanese parliament, and the chief justice of the Japanese Supreme Court. All other guests were seated in other rooms watching on video monitors.

The members of the Japanese Imperial Family wore traditional ceremonial dress except for Emperor Naruhito’s 83-year-old uncle who was seated in a wheelchair.  Crown Prince Akishino, his wife and his two daughters stood on one side of the enclosures and the other members of the Imperial Family stood on the other side. The Prime Minister and the other government representatives stood behind Crown Prince Akishino and his family.

The Emperor Emeritus Akihito and the Empress Emerita Michiko only attended a tea party that was held on October 23, 2019. 96-year-old Princess Mikasa (Yuriko), who was married to the late Prince Mikasa, the great-uncle of Emperor Naruhito, did not attend any events because of old age. Princess Aiko, daughter of Emperor Naruhito, and Prince Hisahito, son of Crown Prince Akishino, also did not attend any events as they are not yet adults.

Members of the Japanese Imperial Family

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• Crown Prince Akishino, brother of Emperor Naruhito
• Crown Princess Akishino (Kiko), sister-in-law of Emperor Naruhito
• Princess Mako of Akishino, niece of Emperor Naruhito, daughter of Crown Prince Akishino
• Princess Kako of Akishino, niece of Emperor Naruhito, daughter of Crown Prince Akishino
• Prince Hitachi, uncle of Emperor Naruhito
• Princess Hitachi (Hanako), aunt of Emperor Naruhito
• Princess Tomohito (Nobuko), widow of Prince Tomohito who was a first cousin once removed of Emperor Naruhito
• Princess Akiko of Mikasa, second cousin of Emperor Naruhito, daughter of the late Prince Tomohito
• Princess Yoko of Mikasa, second cousin of Emperor Naruhito, daughter of the late Prince Tomohito
• Princess Takamado (Hisako), widow of Prince Takamado who was a first cousin once removed of Emperor Naruhito
• Princess Tsuguko of Takamado, second cousin of Emperor Naruhito, daughter of the late Prince Takamado

Other Family Members

• Yoshiki Kuroda, husband of Sayako Kuroda
• Sayako Kuroda, former Princess of Japan, sister of Emperor Naruhito, daughter of Emperor Emeritus Akihito
• Noriko Senge, former Princess of Japan, second cousin of Emperor Naruhito, daughter of the late Prince Takamado
• Kei Moriya, husband of Ayako Moriya
• Ayako Moriya, former Princess of Japan, second cousin of Emperor Naruhito, daughter of the late Prince Takamado
• Hisanaga Shimazu, husband of Takako Shimazu
• Takako Shimazu, former Princess of Japan, aunt of Emperor Naruhito, daughter of the late Emperor Shōwa
• Tadateru Konoe, husband of Yasuko Konoe
• Yasuko Konoe, former Princess of Mikasa, first cousin once removed of Emperor Naruhito, daughter of the late Prince Mikasa
• Sen Soshitsu XVI, husband of Masako Sen
• Masako Sen, former Princess of Mikasa, first cousin once removed of Emperor Naruhito, daughter of the late Prince Mikasa
• Hisashi Owada, father of Empress Masako
• Yumiko Owada, mother of Empress Masako

Foreign Royal Guests

• Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa of Bahrain
• King Philippe of the Belgians
• Queen Mathilde of the Belgians
• King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan
• Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan
• Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam
• Prince ‘Abdul Mateen of Brunei Darussalam
• King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia
• Princess Norodom Arunrasmy of Cambodia
• Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark
• Crown Princess Mary of Denmark
• King Mswati III of Eswatini
• Queen LaMashwama of Eswatini
• Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan
• Sheikh Nasser Muhammad Al Ahmad Al Sabah of Kuwait
• King Letsie III of Lesotho
• Queen Masenate of Lesotho
• Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein
• Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg
• Sultan Abdullah of Pahang, Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia
• Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, Raja Permaisuri Agong of Malaysia
• Prince Albert II of Monaco
• Prince Moulay Rachid of Morocco
• King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands
• Queen Máxima of the Netherlands
• Crown Prince Haakon of Norway
• Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar
• Tuimaleali’ifano Sualauvi II of Samoa
• Prince Turki Bin Mohammed Bin Fahd Al Saud of Saudi Arabia
• King Felipe VI of Spain
• Queen Letizia of Spain
• King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden
• Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden
• King Tupou VI of Tonga
• Queen Nanasipauʻu of Tonga
• The Prince of Wales

*********************

November 14-15, 2019: Great Thanksgiving Festival (Daijo-sai)

This is the most controversial of the accession ceremonies because it is the one in which the Emperor is united to his traditional ancestor the sun goddess Amaterasu to share in her divinity. There is no mention of this ceremony in the Constitution imposed by the American occupation forces after World War II. Its legality was questioned after the accession of Emperor Akihito.

The ceremony requires that two thatched-roof huts, each with two rooms be built within a special enclosure. One room contains a large couch at the center and the second room is used by musicians. These two structures represent the house of the previous Emperor and that of the new Emperor.

After a ritual bath, the Emperor will be dressed entirely in the white silk dress of a Shinto priest but with a special long train. Surrounded by courtiers, the Emperor will solemnly enter the enclosure and then each of the huts in turn and perform the same ritual twice, from 6:30 to 9:30 PM in the first hut and from 12:30 to 3:30 AM in the second hut. A mat will be unrolled before the Emperor and then rolled up again as he walks so that his feet never touch the ground. A special umbrella will be held over the Emperor’s head that prevents any defilement of his sacred person coming from the air above him.

During the ritual, the Emperor will kneel on a mat facing towards the direction of the Ise Grand Shrine dedicated to the sun goddess Amaterasu and will make an offering of sacred rice, sake, millet, fish and a variety of other foods from both the land and the sea to the sun goddess Amaterasu. Then he will eat some of the sacred rice himself, as an act of divine communion which consummates his unity with Amaterasu, making him the intermediary between Amaterasu and the Japanese people.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Works Cited

• En.wikipedia.org. (2018). Enthronement of the Japanese Emperor. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enthronement_of_the_Japanese_Emperor [Accessed 27 Oct. 2018].
• Nettyroyalblog.nl. (2019). The guest list for the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito. [online] Available at: https://www.nettyroyalblog.nl/various-events/the-guestlist-for-the-inthronisation-of-emperor-naruhito/ [Accessed 2 Nov. 2019].
• Nikkei Asian Review. (2018). Japanese emperor’s abdication: 6 things to know. [online] Available at: https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Japanese-emperor-s-abdication-6-things-to-know [Accessed 27 Oct. 2018].
• Rice, Motoko. (2019). Naruhito’s Enthronement: Didn’t Japan Do This Already?. New York Times.
• Weisman, S. (1990). AKIHITO PERFORMS HIS SOLITARY RITE. [online] Nytimes.com. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/1990/11/23/world/akihito-performs-his-solitary-rite.html [Accessed 27 Oct. 2018].

by Susan Flantzer  © Unofficial Royalty 2019

• Unofficial Royalty: Japanese Naming Conventions

The wife of Prince Hitachi of Japan, Lady Hanako Tsugaru, was born on July 19, 1940, at her family home in Tokyo, Japan. She is the youngest of the four daughters of Count Yoshitaka Tsugaru and Hisako Mōri. Both her parents were descendants of the Japanese nobility.

Hanako received her primary and secondary education at The Gakushūin (Peers School) in Tokyo, established in 1847 to educate the children of Japan’s nobility. She did not attend the kindergarten at The Gakushūin because it was closed due to World War II. She majored in Science at the Gakushūin Women’s College, graduating in 1961.

Embed from Getty Images 
Wedding of Prince Hitachi and Hanako Tsugaru

Hanako met her future husband, Prince Hitachi, while they were both students at The Gakushuin. Prince Hitachi is the younger of the two sons and the sixth of the seven children of Emperor Shōwa of Japan (Hirohito) and Empress Kōjun (Nagako) and the younger brother of Emperor Akihito of Japan. The Imperial Household Council announced the engagement on February 28, 1964. The formal engagement ceremony was held on April 14, 1964, and the wedding ceremony took place on September 30, 1964. After her marriage, Hanako was styled Her Imperial Highness Princess Hitachi. The couple had no children.

Because her husband was the son and then the brother of The Emperor, Prince and Princess Hitachi were expected to represent Japan internationally and participate in charitable works. As the Prince and Princess got older, these responsibilities lessened but Princess Hitachi still holds the following positions:

• Member of the Imperial House Council
• Honorary President of the Japan Ikebana Art Association
• Honorary President of the Japan Animal Welfare Society
• Honorary President of the Japan Equestrian Federation
• Honorary President of the Nippon-Latin American Ladies’ Association
• Honorary Vice-President of the Japanese Red Cross Society

In 2007, both Prince and Princess Hitachi were elected by the other members of the Imperial Family to be representatives to the Imperial Household Council.  Both were re-elected in 2011 and 2015. The Imperial Household Council is a ten-member body that approves the statutory matters of the Imperial House of Japan.

Princess Hitachi is very much interested in animal welfare, particularly animal neglect. She has translated from English into Japanese and then published five children’s books about animals. The proceeds from these books are donated to animal welfare causes.

• The Eighty-Ninth Kitten by Eleanor Nilsson (published in 1987)
• The Most Obedient Dog in the World by Anita Jeram (published in 1996)
• It was Jake by Anita Jeram (published in 1997)
• A Guide Dog Puppy Grows Up by Caroline Arnold (published in 2001)
• Dot the Fire Dog by Lisa Desimini (published in 2005)

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Works Cited

• En.wikipedia.org. (2019). Hanako, Princess Hitachi. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanako,_Princess_Hitachi [Accessed 31 Jan. 2019].
• Ja.wikipedia.org. (2019). 正仁親王妃華子. [online] Available at: https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%AD%A3%E4%BB%81%E8%A6%AA%E7%8E%8B%E5%A6%83%E8%8F%AF%E5%AD%90 [Accessed 31 Jan. 2019].
• Kunaicho.go.jp. (2019). Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Hitachi – The Imperial Household Agency. [online] Available at: http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-about/activity/activity04.html [Accessed 31 Jan. 2019].

by Susan Flantzer  © Unofficial Royalty 2019

• Unofficial Royalty: Japanese Naming Conventions

Born on November 28, 1935, at the Tokyo Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, Prince Hitachi is the younger of the two sons and the sixth of the seven children of Emperor Shōwa (Hirohito) and Empress Kōjun (Nagako) and the younger brother of Emperor Akihito. He was given the personal name Masahito and the childhood appellation Yoshi. Upon his marriage, he was granted the title Hitachi-no-miya (Prince Hitachi), and the authorization to start a new branch of the Imperial Family.

Prince Hitachi had had five sisters and one brother:

• Shigeko, Princess Teru (1925 – 1943), married Prince Morihiro Higashikuni, had five children
• Sachiko, Princess Hisa (1927 – 1928), died young
• Kazuko, Princess Taka (1929 – 1989), married Toshimichi Takatsukasa, lost her imperial status due to marrying a commoner, adopted one son
• Atsuko, Princess Yori (1931 – 1952), married Takamasa Ikeda, lost her imperial status due to marrying a commoner, no children
• Akihito, Emperor of Japan (born 1933), married Michiko Shōda, had two sons and one daughter
• Takako, Princess Suga (born 1939), married Hisanaga Shimazu, lost her imperial status due to marrying a commoner, had one son

After being privately tutored, Prince Hitachi completed his elementary and secondary education at The Gakushūin (Peers School) in Tokyo, established in 1847 to educate the children of Japan’s nobility. During the American Occupation of Japan, following World War II, he was tutored in English and Western culture, along with some of his siblings. In 1958, Prince Hitachi graduated from Gakushuin University Faculty of Science Department of Chemistry with a Bachelor’s degree. After that, he became a research student at the University of Tokyo Graduate School of Science studying cellular biology.

Embed from Getty Images 
Wedding of Prince Hitachi and Hanako Tsugaru

Prince Hitachi met his future wife Hanako Tsugaru, daughter of Count Yoshitaka Tsugaru, the last representative of the Tsugaru clan, while they were both students at The Gakushuin. The Imperial Household Council announced their engagement on February 28, 1964. The formal engagement ceremony was held on April 14, 1964, and the wedding ceremony took place on September 30, 1964. The couple had no children.

In 1969, Prince Hitachi became a Research Associate of the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research.  The results of his work on carcinogenesis and cancer biology were recognized worldwide and were published in prestigious journals. After his retirement, Prince Hitachi was appointed the Honorary President of the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research.

As the son and then the brother of The Emperor, Prince Hitachi was expected to represent his country internationally and participate in charitable works. As he grew older, his responsibilities in these areas lessened. He holds the following positions:

• Reserve Member of the Imperial House Council
• President of the Japanese Society for the Preservation of Birds
• President of the Japanese Society for Disabled Children
• President of the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation
• President of the Japan-Denmark Society
• President of the Dainippon Silk Foundation
• President of the Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities
• President of the Japan Art Association
• President of the Tokyo Zoological Park Society
• President of Maison Franco-Japonaise
• President of the Princess Takamatsu Cancer Research Fund
• Honorary President of the Japan-Sweden Society
• Honorary President of the Japan-Belgium Society
• Honorary President of the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research
• Honorary President of Association Pasteur Japon
• Honorary Vice-President of the Japanese Red Cross Society

In 2007, both Prince and Princess Hitachi were elected by the other members of the Imperial Family to be representatives to the Imperial Household Council.  Both were re-elected in 2011 and 2015. The Imperial Household Council is a ten-member body that approves the statutory matters of the Imperial House of Japan.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Works Cited

• En.wikipedia.org. (2019). Masahito, Prince Hitachi. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masahito,_Prince_Hitachi [Accessed 31 Jan. 2019].
• Fr.wikipedia.org. (2019). Masahito de Hitachi. [online] Available at: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masahito_de_Hitachi [Accessed 31 Jan. 2019].
• Ja.wikipedia.org. (2019). 常陸宮正仁親王. [online] Available at: https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%B8%B8%E9%99%B8%E5%AE%AE%E6%AD%A3%E4%BB%81%E8%A6%AA%E7%8E%8B [Accessed 31 Jan. 2019].
• Kunaicho.go.jp. (2019). Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Hitachi – The Imperial Household Agency. [online] Available at: http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-about/activity/activity04.html [Accessed 31 Jan. 2019].

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

• Unofficial Royalty: Japanese Naming Conventions

Empress Kōjun is the posthumous name of the wife of Emperor Shōwa of Japan, also known as Hirohito. Born Princess Nagako Kuni on March 6, 1903, at her family’s home in Tokyo, Japan, she was the eldest daughter of Chikako Shimazu, daughter of Prince Tadayoshi Shimazu who was the last feudal lord of Satsuma, and Prince Kuniyoshi Kuni, a lieutenant general in the Imperial Japanese Army and a member from one of the branch houses of the imperial dynasty entitled to provide a successor to the throne of Japan by adoption.

Nagako had five siblings who are the uncles and aunts of Emperor Akihito of Japan:

• Prince Asaakira Kuni (1901 – 1959), married Princess Tomoko Fushimi, had eight children
• Marquis Kunihisa Kuni (1902 – 1935), married Matsuura Muko, no children
• Princess Nobuko Kuni (1904 – 1945), married Kimimasa Sanjonishi, had four children
• Princess Satoko Kuni (1906 – 1989), married Tomoko Otani, had four children
• Count Higashifushimi Kunihide (1910 – 2014), married Yasuko Kamei, had four children, became a Buddhist monk

Nagako attended the Girls’ Department of the Peers School in Tokyo (now called Gakushūin), established to educate the children of the Japanese nobility. One of her classmates was her first cousin Princess Masako Nashimoto who married Crown Prince Yi Un of Korea. They would have been Emperor and Empress of Korea if Korea had not been annexed to Japan.

In a step away from tradition, Crown Prince Hirohito, son of Emperor Taishō, was allowed to choose his own bride. In 1917, eligible young women participated in a tea ceremony at the Imperial Palace while Hirohito watched unseen from behind a screen. He selected 14-year-old Princess Nagako who had been chosen to participate in the tea ceremony because of her lineage and her father’s exemplary military career. Following her selection as Hirohito’s future bride, Nagako was withdrawn from the Peers School and began an educational program to prepare her for her future role as Empress. The engagement was announced in January 1919 but the marriage did not occur until January 26, 1924. Upon her marriage, Nagako became the Crown Princess of Japan.

Nagako and Hirohito had seven children. Three daughters, Princess Taka, Princess Yori, and Princess Suga, married commoners, and as required by law instituted after World War II, gave up their imperial titles and left the Japanese Imperial Family.

• Princess Teru (1925 – 1961), married Prince Morihiro Higashikuni, had five children
• Princess Hisa (1927 – 1928), died at five months from an infection
• Princess Taka (1929 – 1989), married Toshimichi Takatsukasa, no children, adopted a son
• Princess Yori (born 1931), married Takamasa Ikeda, no children
• Akihito, Emperor of Japan (born 1933), married Michiko Shōda, had three children including Naruhito, Emperor of Japan
• Prince Hitachi (born 1935), married Hanako Tsugaru, no children
• Princess Suga (born 1939), married Hisanga Shimazu, one son

On December 25, 1926, when Hirohito’s father Emperor Taishō died of a heart attack at the age of 47, Hirohito began his 62-year reign as Emperor of Japan and Nagako became Empress of Japan. Empress Nagako performed her duties according to tradition. After World War II, she became more active. She was honorary president of the Japanese Red Cross and visited orphanages, families affected by war, and elderly people. Accompanying her husband in his travels in Japan and abroad, Empress Nagako was the first Empress to travel out of Japan. Her elegance and smile earned him the nickname of “The Smiling Empress.”

Empress Nagako opposed the marriage in 1959 of her eldest son Crown Prince Akihito to the commoner Michiko Shōda. After the marriage, she treated her commoner daughter-in-law harshly. Michiko suffered from several nervous breakdowns because of the pressure of the media and the attitude of her mother-in-law which resulted in making her lose her voice for seven months in the 1960s.

A back injury following a fall in 1977 as well as other health problems forced Empress Nagako to start using a wheelchair in 1980 and limit her public appearances. Her last public appearance was for the 86th birthday of Emperor Hirohito in 1987. Emperor Hirohito died on January 7, 1989, at the age of 87 and his son Akihito became Emperor of Japan.

After her husband’s death, Nagako assumed the title of Empress Dowager and she remained in seclusion for the rest of her life due to her ill health. In 1995, she became the longest-living Dowager Empress of Japan, breaking the record of Empress Kanshi, who died in 1102. On June 16, 2000, at her home, the Fukiage Ōmiya Palace in Tokyo, Japan, Dowager Empress Nagako died at the age of 97. Emperor Akihito granted his mother the posthumous title of Empress Kōjun. She was buried near her husband at the Musashi Imperial Graveyard in Hachiōji, Tokyo, Japan.

• BBC: Japan’s Dowager Empress dies
• BBC: Japan mourns Empress Nagako

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

State of Japan Resources at Unofficial Royalty

• State of Japan Index
• Japanese Emperors
• Japanese Imperial Burial Sites
• Japanese Imperial Dates
• Japanese Imperial FAQs
• Japanese Imperial Weddings
• Line of Succession to the Chrysanthemum Throne
• Profiles of the Japanese Imperial Family

Works Cited

• En.wikipedia.org. (2018). Empress Kōjun. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empress_K%C5%8Djun [Accessed 26 Oct. 2018].
• Flantzer, S. (2018). Emperor Shōwa of Japan (Hirohito). [online] Unofficial Royalty. Available at: https://www.unofficialroyalty.com/emperor-showa-of-japan-hirohito/ [Accessed 26 Oct. 2018].
• Fr.wikipedia.org. (2018). Nagako. [online] Available at: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagako [Accessed 26 Oct. 2018].
• Ja.wikipedia.org. (2018). 貞明皇后. [online] Available at: https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E8%B2%9E%E6%98%8E%E7%9A%87%E5%90%8E [Accessed 24 Oct. 2018].

by Susan Flantzer  © Unofficial Royalty 2019

• Unofficial Royalty: Japanese Naming Conventions

Emperor of Japan for 62 years, Hirohito, now known in Japan by his posthumous name Emperor Shōwa, was born during the reign of his grandfather, Emperor Meiji, on April 29, 1901, at the Tōgū Palace in Aoyama, Tokyo, Japan. The eldest of the four sons of Crown Prince Yoshihito and Crown Princess Sadako, now known by their posthumous names Emperor Taishō and Empress Teimei, he was given the childhood appellation Michi-no-miya and the personal name Hirohito.

Hirohito had three younger brothers:

• Prince Chichibua (1902 – 1953), married Setsuko Matsudaira, no children
• Prince Takamatsu (1905 – 1987), married Kikuko Tokugawa, no children
• Prince Mikasa (1915 – 2016), married Yuriko Takagi, had three sons and two daughters

As was the custom, the infant Hirohito was placed in the care of a noble family, that of Count Kawamura Sumiyoshi, a former vice-admiral. When Kawamura died in 1904, Hirohito and his two-year-old brother Chichibua were returned to court. Starting in 1906, Hirohito attended a kindergarten established at the Aoyama Imperial Palace. From 1908 – 1914, he attended the Gakushūin (Peers School), established to educate the children of the Japanese nobility.

Hirohito’s grandfather Emperor Meiji died on July 30, 1912, and his father Yoshihito became Emperor of Japan. He is known by his posthumous name Taishō. Emperor Taishō had cerebral meningitis when he was three weeks old and this affected his health and his mental capacity, including a speech disorder and difficulty walking, for the rest of his life. Due to his health issues, he often had been unable to continue his studies as a child and had been a poor student in areas requiring higher-level thinking. Because of Emperor Taishō’s weak physical and mental condition, his wife exerted a strong influence during his reign. Emperor Taishō was kept out of public view as much as possible because of mental incapacity.

At the time of his father’s accession to the throne, Hirohito became the heir apparent. He was formally proclaimed Crown Prince on November 2, 1916. From 1914 – 1921, Hirohito attended a special institute to prepare him for his future role as Emperor. Within a few years, it became apparent that Emperor Taishō could not carry out any public functions, participate in daily government matters, or make decisions. This was all left to his ministers and eventually to his son Crown Prince Hirohito. Finally, Crown Prince Hirohito was named Prince Regent on November 25, 1921.

In a step away from tradition, Hirohito was allowed to choose his own bride. In 1917, eligible young women participated in a tea ceremony at the Imperial Palace while Hirohito watched unseen from behind a screen. He selected 14-year-old Princess Nagako Kuni, eldest daughter of Prince Kuniyoshi Kuni, a lieutenant general in the Imperial Japanese Army, and a member from one of the branch houses of the imperial dynasty entitled to provide a successor to the throne of Japan by adoption. Princess Nagako had been chosen to participate in the tea ceremony because of her lineage and her father’s exemplary military career. The engagement was announced in January 1919 but the marriage did not occur until January 26, 1924.

Hirohito and Nagako had seven children. Three daughters, Princess Taka, Princess Yori, and Princess Suga, married commoners and as required by law instituted after World War II, gave up their imperial titles and left the Japanese Imperial Family.

• Princess Teru (1925 – 1961), married Prince Morihiro Higashikuni, had five children
• Princess Hisa (1927 – 1928), died at five months from an infection
• Princess Taka (1929 – 1989), married Toshimichi Takatsukasa, no children, adopted a son
• Princess Yori (born 1931), married Takamasa Ikeda, no children
• Akihito, Emperor of Japan (born 1933), married Michiko Shōda, had three children including Naruhito, Emperor of Japan
• Prince Hitachi ( born 1935), married Hanako Tsugaru, no children
• Princess Suga (born 1939), married Hisanga Shimazu, one son

On December 25, 1926, Emperor Taishō died of a heart attack at the age of 47 and Hirohito began his long reign as Emperor of Japan. The early years of Hirohito’s reign saw an increase in military power in the government by both legal and illegal means. In 1932, the assassination of moderate Prime Minister Tsuyoshi Inukai ended any civilian control of the military. This was followed by the failed coup attempt in Japan on February 26, 1936, by lower-ranking army officers. During the coup, a number of senior government officials and army officers were murdered. The coup finally ended with Hirohito playing an important role.

By the 1930s, the military held almost all of Japan’s political power and pursued policies that eventually led to Japan’s role in World War II. During World War II, Japan formed an alliance with Germany and Italy called the Axis powers. In July 1945, Hirohito wanted to negotiate an end to the war with the Allies. The Allies issued an ultimatum insisting on the unconditional surrender of all Japanese forces and the severe punishment of all Japanese war criminals. The Japanese government did not accept this ultimatum, partly because it was unclear whether Emperor Hirohito would face punishment as a war criminal. On August 6 and August 9, 1945, atomic bombs were dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. While the Japanese government wished to continue the war, Hirohito decided against the will of the military and government to use his powers and end the war by surrendering.

After the war, some believed that Hirohito was chiefly responsible for Japan’s role in the war and others said that he was just a powerless puppet under the influence of Prime Minister Hideki Tōjō who was eventually executed for war crimes. The view promoted by both the Japanese Imperial Palace and the American occupation forces immediately after World War II portrayed Emperor Hirohito as a powerless figurehead behaving strictly according to protocol. However, since his death in 1989, a debate began to surface over the extent of his involvement and his culpability in World War II.

The Allies insisted that Emperor Hirohito state publicly that he was not a god but just a man like any other. Actually, no emperor had ever claimed that he was a god and so Hirohito made a statement in his usual New Year’s message that did not change the ancient tradition for the Japanese that the Emperor descended from the sun goddess Amaterasu: “Those ties that surround me and my people are not based on the false idea that the Emperor is divine.”

In 1947, a new constitution was enacted with input from the Allies which replaced Japan’s previous militaristic system of the semi-absolute monarchy with a form of democracy. The constitution provided for a parliamentary system of government and guaranteed certain fundamental rights. Under its terms, the Emperor of Japan is “the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people” and exercises a purely ceremonial role. No amendment has been made to it since its adoption.

For the rest of his life, Emperor Hirohito was an active figure in Japan, performing many of the duties of the head of state. The emperor and his family showed a strong public presence. They often performed official engagements and were seen during special events and on holidays. Hirohito also played an important role in rebuilding Japan’s diplomatic position. On foreign trips and in Japan, he met with many foreign heads of state including Presidents of the United States and Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.

Hirohito was very interested in marine biology and the Imperial Palace contained a laboratory where he worked. He published several scientific papers on the subject and was considered one of the most respected jellyfish experts in the world.

On September 22, 1987, Emperor Hirohito underwent surgery on his pancreas after several months of digestive problems. The doctors discovered duodenal cancer. Hirohito seemed to recover well after the surgery but a year later, he collapsed. His health deteriorated and he suffered from constant internal bleeding. Emperor Hirohito died at the Fukiage Ōmiya Palace on the grounds of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan on January 7, 1989, at the age of 87. He was buried at the Musashi Imperial Graveyard in Hachiōji, Tokyo, Japan, and was given the posthumous name Emperor Shōwa.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

State of Japan Resources at Unofficial Royalty

• State of Japan Index
• Japanese Emperors
• Japanese Imperial Burial Sites
• Japanese Imperial Dates
• Japanese Imperial FAQs
• Japanese Imperial Weddings
• Line of Succession to the Chrysanthemum Throne
• Profiles of the Japanese Imperial Family

Works Cited

• De.wikipedia.org. (2018). Hirohito. [online] Available at: https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirohito [Accessed 25 Oct. 2018].
• En.wikipedia.org. (2018). Hirohito. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirohito [Accessed 25 Oct. 2018].
• Ja.wikipedia.org. (2018). 大正天皇. [online] Available at: https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%A4%A7%E6%AD%A3%E5%A4%A9%E7%9A%87 [Accessed 23 Oct. 2018].

by Susan Flantzer  © Unofficial Royalty 2019

• Unofficial Royalty: Japanese Naming Conventions

The widow of Prince Takamado of Mikasa, Hisako Tottori was born in Tokyo, Japan on July 10, 1953. She is the elder of the two daughters of Shigejiro Tottori, an industrialist employed by Mitsui & Co., Ltd. Hisako attended primary and secondary school at the Sacred Heart School, a Roman Catholic all-girls school in Tokyo, until her father was transferred to the United Kingdom for his job. Living in the United Kingdom, Hisako became fluent in English. She attended Girton College, Cambridge University, graduating in 1975 with a Bachelor’s degree in anthropology and archaeology.

After her university graduation, Hisako returned to Japan where she worked as a translator for a translation company. However, she returned to the United Kingdom for training regarding legal terminology used for laws and statutes and received a Master’s degree from the University of Cambridge in 1979. Later in her life, in 2012, Hisako received a Ph.D. in Arts and Culture from the Osaka University of Arts in Osaka, Japan

In 1982, Hisako was hired as an interpreter and assistant to Prince Mikasa, her future father-in-law, at the 31st International Asian-North African Cultural Symposium. Two years later, on April 23, 1984, Hisako met Prince Mikasa’s youngest son Prince Takamado at a reception at the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo. Prince Takamado’s father Prince Mikasa was the youngest son of Emperor Taishō, the youngest brother of Emperor Hirohito (Shōwa), and the uncle of Emperor Akihito. Prince Tomohito was called “of Mikasa” because his father was given the authorization to form a new branch of the Imperial Family by Emperor Hirohito (Shōwa).

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The prince proposed to Hisako on May 20, 1984, and then the Imperial Household Council announced the engagement on August 1, 1984. On September 17, 1984, the formal engagement ceremony was held and the couple was married on December 6, 1984. After her marriage, Hisako was styled Her Imperial Highness The Princess Takamado.

Prince and Princess Takamado had three daughters:

• Princess Tsuguko (born 1986)
• Princess Noriko (born 1988), married Kunimaro Senge, gave up her imperial title and left the Imperial Family as required by 1947 Imperial Household Law and is now known as Noriko Senge
• Princess Ayako (born 1990), married Kei Moriya, gave up her imperial title and left the Imperial Family as required by 1947 Imperial Household Law and is now known as Ayako Moriya, has three sons

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Prince and Princess Takamado at the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea-Japan (soccer)

Prince and Princess Takamado were the most widely traveled couple in the Japanese Imperial Family, representing Japan in 35 countries together over 15 years. One of their most important visits was to the Republic of Korea (South Korea) from May to June 2002 to attend the opening ceremony and games of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea-Japan (soccer). This was the first visit of members of the Japanese Imperial Family to South Korea since World War II and it was an important step in the promotion of friendly relations between the two countries.

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Princess Takamado at the funeral of her husband

On November 21, 2002, while playing squash with the Canadian ambassador Robert Wright at the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo, Prince Takamado collapsed due to ventricular fibrillation. He was immediately taken to Keio University Hospital but was already in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest. He was resuscitated but his condition then worsened and soon there was no hope that he would survive. With the consent of his wife, Prince Takamado was removed from life support and died at the age of 47.

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Princess Takamado presents a trophy at the 2018 Prince Takamado Cup, Japan’s national youth football  (soccer) cup tournament, named after her husband

Although Princess Takamado was left a widow with three children, she continued her husband’s efforts to foster international goodwill. She has been extremely active with many charitable organizations involving sports, cultural exchange, and the environment, taking on all of the positions formerly held by her late husband and many new positions. Princess Takamado has traveled throughout Japan and all over the world on behalf of the organizations. She often represents the Japanese Imperial Family at royal events in other monarchies.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Works Cited

• En.wikipedia.org. (2019). Hisako, Princess Takamado. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hisako,_Princess_Takamado [Accessed 31 Jan. 2019].
• Ja.wikipedia.org. (2019). 憲仁親王妃久子. [online] Available at: https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%86%B2%E4%BB%81%E8%A6%AA%E7%8E%8B%E5%A6%83%E4%B9%85%E5%AD%90 [Accessed 31 Jan. 2019].
• Kunaicho.go.jp. (2019). Their Imperial Highnesses Prince and Princess Mikasa and their family – The Imperial Household Agency. [online] Available at: http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-about/activity/activity05.html [Accessed 29 Jan. 2019].

by Susan Flantzer
© Unofficial Royalty 2019

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• Unofficial Royalty: Japanese Naming Conventions

Prince Takamado of Mikasa was born in Tokyo, Japan on December 29, 1954. He was the third of the three sons and the youngest of the five children of Prince Mikasa of Japan and Yuriko Takagi (Princess Mikasa). Takamado’s father Prince Mikasa was the youngest son of Emperor Taishō, the youngest brother of Emperor Hirohito (Shōwa), and the uncle of Emperor Akihito. Prince Tomohito was called “of Mikasa” because his father was given the authorization to form a new branch of the Imperial Family by Emperor Hirohito (Shōwa).  He was given the personal name Norohito. Upon his marriage, he received the title Prince Takamado (Takamado-no-miya) and authorization to start a new branch of the Imperial Family.

Prince Takamado had four elder siblings:

• Yasuko Konoe, formerly Princess Yasuko (born 1944), married Tadateru Konoe, had one daughter; upon her marriage, Princess Yasuko had to relinquish her title from birth and her official membership in the Imperial Family
• Prince Tomohito (1946 – 2012), married Nobuko Asō, had two daughters
• Prince Katsura (1948 – 2014), unmarried
• Masako Sen, formerly Princess Masako (born 1951), married Sōshitsu Sen, had two sons and one daughter; upon her marriage, Princess Masako had to relinquish her title and her official membership in the Imperial Family

Prince Takamado attended the exclusive Shoto Kindergarten in Toyko and then attended The Gakushūin or Peers School, established in 1847 to educate the children of the Japanese nobility, for his primary, secondary, and university education. He graduated with a degree in law in 1978. From 1978 to 1981, he studied at the Queen’s University Faculty of Law in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Upon his return to Japan, Prince Takamado worked from 1981 until he died in 2002 as the administrator of the Japan Foundation which promotes Japanese arts, culture, and language exchange around the world.

On April 23, 1984, Prince Takamado met Hisako Tottori, the eldest daughter of a Japanese industrialist, at a reception at the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo. The prince proposed to Hisako on May 20, 1984, and then the Imperial Household Council announced the engagement on August 1, 1984. On September 17, 1984, the formal engagement ceremony was held and the couple was married on December 6, 1984.

The couple had three daughters:

• Princess Tsuguko (born 1986)
• Princess Noriko (born 1988), married Kunimaro Senge, gave up her imperial title and left the Imperial Family as required by 1947 Imperial Household Law and is now known as Noriko Senge
• Princess Ayako (born 1990), married Kei Moriya, gave up her imperial title and left the Imperial Family as required by 1947 Imperial Household Law and is now known as Ayako Moriya

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Prince and Princess Takamodo with Prince Andrew, Duke of York at the 2002 Korea-Japan Football (soccer) World Cup Tournament

In 1987, Prince Takamado became honorary president of the Japan Football Association (soccer). In that role, Prince Takamado and his wife officially visited the Republic of Korea (South Korea) for the opening ceremonies and games during the 2002 Korea-Japan Football (soccer) World Cup Tournament. This was the first Japanese royal visit since World War II and was an important step in the promotion of friendly relations between Japan and South Korea.

On November 21, 2002, while playing squash with the Canadian ambassador Robert Wright at the Canadian Embassy, Prince Takamado collapsed due to ventricular fibrillation. He was immediately taken to Keio University Hospital but was already in a state of cardiopulmonary arrest. He was resuscitated but his condition then worsened and soon there was no hope that he would survive. With the consent of his wife, Prince Takamado was removed from life support and died at the age of 47.

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(Left to right) Crown Princess Masako, Crown Prince Naruhito, Princesses Ayako, Noriko and Tsuguko and their mother Princess Takamado attend the funeral ceremony for Prince Takamado

The sudden death of one of the youngest and most active members of the Japanese Imperial Family shocked the nation. Prince Takamado’s cremated remains were interred at the Toshimagaoka Imperial Cemetery in Tokyo, Japan. Since the sudden death of Prince Takamado, the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and the Japanese Fire and Disaster Management Agency actively focused on measures to educate about ventricular fibrillation including the use and wide distribution of external defibrillators.

This article is the intellectual property of Unofficial Royalty and is NOT TO BE COPIED, EDITED, OR POSTED IN ANY FORM ON ANOTHER WEBSITE under any circumstances. It is permissible to use a link that directs to Unofficial Royalty.

Works Cited

• En.wikipedia.org. (2019). Norihito, Prince Takamado. [online] Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norihito,_Prince_Takamado [Accessed 30 Jan. 2019].
• Ja.wikipedia.org. (2019). 高円宮憲仁親王. [online] Available at: https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%AB%98%E5%86%86%E5%AE%AE%E6%86%B2%E4%BB%81%E8%A6%AA%E7%8E%8B [Accessed 30 Jan. 2019].
• Kunaicho.go.jp. (2019). Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado and her family – The Imperial Household Agency. [online] Available at: http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e-about/activity/activity08.html [Accessed 30 Jan. 2019].
• News.bbc.co.uk. (2002). BBC NEWS | World | Asia-Pacific | Japanese royals make symbolic trip to Seoul. [online] Available at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/2016376.stm [Accessed 30 Jan. 2019].
• The Japan Times. (2002). Prince dies after collapse on embassy squash court | The Japan Times. [online] Available at: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2002/11/22/national/prince-dies-after-collapse-on-embassy-squash-court/ [Accessed 30 Jan. 2019].