The Japanese Imperial Family wishes a Happy New Year

Emperor Akihito of Japan on Monday pronounced infront of tens of thousands of his citizens his traditional New Year wishes, which could be his last given the ongoing debate on an eventual abdication. This is his first wish since he announced in August his concerns about his ability to perform his duties due to old age. The imperial palace also broadcast a series of photos of the whole family gathered around the Emperor, on the occasion of the New Years.

The Imperial Palace announced that at least 58,600 people had attended his speech, some waving Japanese flags and shouting "Banzai!" ("Ten thousand years", meaning "long life"). "At the beginning of this year, I wish happiness and tranquility to all, in the world and in our country," he said in a televised address from a glassed-in balcony where several members of his family .

The 83-year-old Emperor fears that old age will prevent him in the future from fully exercising his role as a "symbol of the Nation". "Fortunately, today I am healthy, but when I see my form decline gradually, I am concerned about the difficulty of fulfilling my duties," he said in August. If he did not pronounce the expression "abdication", this wish filtered in his words and led to a national reflection on his end of reign.

Under the law governing the Imperial House, the Emperor of Japan is not allowed to abandon the throne of Chrysanthemum during his lifetime. Nationalist Prime Minister Shinzo Abe appointed a commission of personalities to reflect on the question of a possible renunciation, which would entail a transfer of the imperial title to Crown Prince Naruhito.
Later the whole family attended the New Year's ceremony reception at the Imperial Palace on January 1st 2017 in Tokyo. The ladies adorned their tiaras, Princess Kiko of Akishino in the Akishino Tiara, her daughters Princesses Kako and Mako each wore their respective tiara and Crown Princess Masako wore the Japanese Sunburst Tiara


The Japanese Imperial Courts: Commemoration of the First Emperor

This year 2016, the Japanese commemorated the 2600th anniversary of the death of their first emperor and mythical founding father, Jimmu. in 660 BC, who died 75 years later in -585, at the age of 126 years. The current Emperor Akihito, who is direct descendant of Jimmu, took part in his homage. This April 3rd in the Nara Prefecture to visit the grave of his very distant ancestor.

His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito was not only accompanied by his wife HIM Empress Michiko but his younger son HIH Fumihito, Prince of Akishino and his wife HIH Princess Kiko of Akishino. They visited the tomb of Emperor Jimmu in Kashihara for a ceremony and visited Kashihara-jingu, the Shinto shrine where his spirit is being honored.


"Japan Times" reported that their eldest son Crown Prince Naruhito and his wife Crown Princess Masako meanwhile remained in Tokyo and attended a ritual in honor of Jimmu at the Imperial Palace. Princesses Mako and Kako of Akishino as well as other members of the imperial family were also present. The English Japanese media emphasizes that Princess Masako had not participated in a ceremony at the Imperial Palace in January 2009.

This Monday, April 4th TIM Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko were still in Nara prefecture. They visited the kofun (tomb) of Takamatsuzuka, located in the village of Asuka. It was the first time that the imperial couple discovered that circular mound 18 meters in diameter and 5 meters high, dating from the late seventh and early eighth centuries. For reasons of fragility and conservation, the Emperor and Empress of Japan were unable to get inside. However, they admired the reproduction of its remarkable frescoes contained characters, animals and constellations in the adjacent museum.
Photo Credits: PAris MAtch

The Japanese Imperiale Courts: Musical concert for the Imperial Family

On 30th March, Her Imperial Majesty Empress Michiko alone without her royal husband His Imperial Majesty Emperor Akihito was surrounded by the family to attend the annual concert of the graduates from 5 music universities took place at the Music Hall inside Imperial Palace.
Her Imperial Majesty was accompanied by her elder son His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Naruhito, his wife Her Imperial Highness Crown Princess Masako, her younger son His Imperial Highness Prince Fumihito of Akishino, his wife Her Imperial Highness Princess Kiko, Her Imperial Highness Princess Mako and Her Imperial Highness Princess Kako of Akishino, Her Imperial Highness  Princess Hanako of Hitachi, Her Imperial Highness Princess Hisako of Takamado came with her daughter Her Imperial Highness Princess Ayako of Takamado.
Photo Credits from Mainichi:

The Japanese Imperiale and Royal Courts: Ceremony of the New Year

In these first days of January, the Japanese imperial family gathered as usual around Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko.

The year 2016 started in Tokyo with the spread of Akihito family photo. Or rather three photos taken last November 15 and January 1 revealed that the whole Imperial Household Family. Sitting in front of a coffee table at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, the Japanese Emperor who has just turned 82 years poses alongside his wife Empress Michiko who was dressed in a traditional kimono, their sons H.I.H Crown Prince Naruhito and Prince Akishino, their spouses Crown Princess Masako and Princess Kiko, and their four grandchildren. While the little prince Hisahito, 9, animates the scene, changing position, his two older sisters T.I.H Princess Mako 24, and Kako, 21, and their cousin H.I.H Princess Aiko, 14, standing quietly lined up behind their parents and grandparents.

Last year, this annual photo shoot took place in the absence of Mako, who mysteriously was missing. We had learned  later during the year that the young woman was then in England, where she spent a year in discreetly as part of his studies.

On New Year, the Imperial Household hosed the annual New Years reception.

After the traditional ceremony of New Year at the Imperial Palace, the whole family  found, Saturday, January 2, to appear glazed balcony to greet the crowd of Japanese came to hear the speech of Emperor Akihito. As Crown Princess Masako, her two nieces Mako and Kako had chosen to dress in blue. The two sisters showed dresses with necklines and sleeves identical underlined with a line of small buttons. Both wearing a bun, the two women also wore identical pearl necklaces, earrings matching their oreilles.

On Monday, January 4, the Emperor of Japan presided over the opening of the session of Parliament.
Photo Credit: Paris Match


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