| Japan's Emperor Akihito greeted the citizens of his country to express his good wishes for the new year in the last ceremony of its kind before he abdicates in April 30. He was accompanied by his wife, Empress Michiko, and children, including his successor, Crown Prince Naruhito. The Imperial Household Agency told media that the number of well-wishers exceeded 140,000 for Emperor Akihito's New Year address to the public. Akihito will become the first Japanese monarch to abdicate in around two centuries when he steps down from the throne on April 30, ending his three-decade reign. |
Crown princess Masako looks so happy! It's a joy to watch, lovely velvet dress also. Hopefully the Japanese monarchy will modernise a little bit. They are such a lovely and friendly family, it's a pity they think female members are inferior (or the institute does). I wonder if there will be a lot of candidates to marry the son of the current crown prince, knowing what Masako had to go through. I really hope Masako gets a chance to florish now, she deserves it!
ReplyDeleteCurrent crown prince does not have a son.
DeleteYou are right; I meant the son of the next crown prince.
DeleteAnyone knows why actually the women cannot be Empresses regnant in Japan?It's not a very old tradition!
DeleteIt was the Empress Suiko (554 – 15 April 628) the 33rd monarch of Japan.
Empress Jitō (645 – 13 January 703) the 41st monarch of Japan.
Empress Genshō(683 – May 22, 748) the 44th monarch of Japan.
And more:Empress Kōken,Empress Shōtoku,Empress Meishō and Empress Go-Sakuramachi (1740–1813), most recent ruling Empress.
Although there were eight reigning empresses, their successors were most often selected from amongst the males of the paternal Imperial bloodline, which is why some conservative scholars argue that the women's reigns were temporary and that male-only succession tradition must be maintained.[
from what I understand, the rules of succession now date from the American influence after WWII. I believe there is a new constitution, but I am not an expert on Japanese law of inheritance at all.
DeleteAlthough I'm not generally keen on high collared dresses, the Crown Princess looks lovely here. The deep colour really suits her.
ReplyDeleteIn a way sad,but for everyone comes the time to retire or not. I believe the Tenno was a calming influence for the people and the country. I am looking forward to the New Emperor and Empress. The CP couple is very lovely. I only hope the IHA let her be herself. This is my New Years Wish for them.
ReplyDeleteWonderful colour for Masako, she looks beautiful
ReplyDeleteanja, I totally agree. Unusual, but really: it looks like a new chapter... Beautiful!
DeleteMasako looks stunning!
ReplyDeletePerhaps the coming regime will banish pastels, and good riddance...
Empress Michiko looks wonderful for her age and she‘s a well educated woman, like Crown Princess Masako. My best wishes to the whole family.
ReplyDeleteThe end of an era for Japan this year. Masako looks beautiful and happy in her lovely dress. I do hope her upcoming life as Empress will be more bearable than it had been. And hopefully a few things will change for the better (as in "lighten up a bit").
ReplyDeleteI have asked before how come the empress looks so classic, traditional, bit age appropiated, and the follow generation with all the pastel colors look as taken from the 1950s?
ReplyDeleteIt does not seemed to be a matter of being traditional IMO the only lady with a sense of fashion is the empress and had nothing to do with the imperial house being too rigid (they are of course) but regarding fashion
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ReplyDeleteFor my opinion, Europeens aren‘t really able to understand Japanese traditions. In Japanese society, the tradition of the group counts more than the individual. The Emperor and the Empress are also subject to this premise. The Emperor and the Empress are both well educated, they are anything but cloistered.
ReplyDeleteEurope's monarchies are based on traditions and ceremonies as well, but the times are changing and they are also a part of the time, just as their population … as they are heads of state for.
DeleteThe king of Sweden's motto is e.g.: For Sweden - in time.
I think, CP Naruhito will be a modern emperor of the 21st century.
Emperor Akihito has been more modern for his country and his time than any emperor before him. His motto: Heisei - which is intended to mean ‚peace everywhere‘. This motto is timeless, I think.
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