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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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].