| Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko and royal family members attended the "Kosho-Hajime-no-Gi" (Imperial New Year's Lectures) first lecture of the New year at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. In the first lecture, the head of the International Research Center for Japanese Studies, Kazuhiko Komatsu, explained the Japanese folkloric figures known as yokai, which are supernatural monsters, spirits and demons. |
I am so glad I am not Japanese royal family member. I am sure I would go crazy with their customs.
ReplyDeletePS. Do they ever laugh I mean really laugh ?
That they don't laugh on these photos does not mean these people don't laugh at all.
DeleteAnonymous, what a stupid comment..
DeleteAgree with you Coralie.
DeleteAgree with anja!
DeleteNo Masako...
ReplyDeleteCes royaux sont déprimants.... je ne vois pas la princesse héritière Masako ???
ReplyDeleteThe fashion for this gathering (explained by the blogger) is inexplicable. Long dresses, hats, fans with the tassels in the identical spot, posture erect, serious faces. It is similar to the crowns, gowns and big jewelry worn to award Nobel prizes to brilliant people for their own work. Royalty is an outdated concept and is probably losing its connection to the average person who actually lives in today's world.
ReplyDeleteI have no doubt that the younger generations have a more difficult time relating to them. I am hoping with the change to a younger Emperor, there will be some modernization while still holding on to their traditions. If not, I don't know how long the family will be supported.
DeleteLovely customs. The rest of the world could use some of it,even in the 21 Century. But the rest of the world is not Japan.I like that some of the dresses of the Pss's are of pastel and stronger colors then just white or creme color. I would like the people to smile a little not alway's so somber.
ReplyDeleteLove the "gift wrapped" desks.
DeleteMe too.
DeleteThe room they are in is quite odd, given the description says it is at the palace. It looks more like a gymnasium sort of room, given the tall austere walls, and odd ceiling, not at all like a room in a palace.
ReplyDeleteThis room is the "go to" for many ceremonial occasions, I've noticed. Not sure why it is so big, plain and (as you said) gymnasium-like. I'm guessing there must be an explanation rooted in tradition.
DeleteSu cultura es milenaria!Los niños en las escuelas limpian también los baños y los cuidan,(está incluido dentro de la tarea escolar;no hay robos,no hay violencia, no portan armas, un pueblo ejemplar
ReplyDeleteMuchas culturas, por no decir todas, son milenarias, porque todos los pueblos de la tierra están donde están desde hace decenas de miles de años, e incluso los que emigraron fuera de su lugar de origen llevaron su cultura consigo. Por supuesto esas culturas han evolucionado y han incorporado elementos de otras culturas con las que han tenido contacto. La casa donde vivo en Barcelona está a veinte metros de la Vía Augusta que sigue el mismo trazado y conserva el mismo nombre que la vía que construyeron los romanos hace más de 2000 años desde Narbona hasta Cádiz bordeando el mediterráneo. el monasterio de San Millán de la Cogolla en La Rioja se construyó en el año 550, doscientos años antes de que empezara el período Heian, cuando nacen la poesía y la literatura clásicas en Japón.
Delete@ Teresa2424 , but on other hand Japan has high suicide rate especially among students.
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