| On January 16, 2020, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and other members of the Japanese royal family attended the New Year's Poetry Reading Ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Crown Prince Fumihito, Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Mako and Princess Kako were present at the ceremony. In his poem, Emperor Naruhito expressed his hope for a bright future for children at the first annual New Year Poetry Reading Ceremony held after his coronation that took place last year. The theme of this year's "waka" poems was "nozomi" meaning "hope". |
It’s a treat to get a look at the gorgeous detailing on many of these formal day dresses — and I love the eye-catching “wrap-around” lapel effect on the Empress’s. And all that beautiful, heavy silk...you could swoon!
ReplyDeleteJoann
DeleteI've always admired the exquisite tailoring on their dresses. It's a very crisp, but not brittle look. The material looks as if it would be so comfortable against the skin.
Yes the tailoring is always perfect (both male and female). Not a crease or wrinkle out of place. Could the slim, Japanese morphology help with this?
DeleteMarvelous for Masako, do they all need to attend each time? Very Japanese.
ReplyDeleteTradition is nice and all the ladies look georgious, but sometimes it is time to modernize or better said adjust ceremonies to the present.
ReplyDeleteWell, not all of us are Meghans.
DeleteWow. How sad.
DeleteEuropa
Totally agree, this doesn't seem to belong in a modern world.. ( well, no royal house does any longer but at least some of them try to adopt to a newer world)
DeleteI agree with Europa, provided I understand what she means. "How SAD" yes, the ceremony, the room, the faces? I think most of it is sad. Masako is really brilliant, we will soon be short of superlatives about her. Most dresses are nice, provided that style is accepted.
DeleteDie Kleider sind schön und aus edler Seide aber sie wirken so altmodisch auf mich. Auch die Hüte sehen aus wie aus den 80igern. Kann mir jemand sagen, warum sie immer diese Kleider tragen müssen? Gibt das das Protokoll vor?
ReplyDeleteJa. Es ist eine Version eines Codes, der die so genannten "Court Uniforma and Dress" vorschreibt. Die IHA versteht da keinen Spaß, die Vorgaben sind ziemlich genau, man hat nur wenig Spielraum. In anderen Ländern existierten ähnliche Vorgaben, erhalten haben sich z.B. nur das Erscheinen in Hut und langem Kleid bei der niederländischen Parlamentseröffnung, oder auch langes Kleid für die Königin bei einem Tagesevent wie Pasqua Militar in Spanien. Das sind Überbleibsel solcher Regelungen in europäischen Monarchien. Die Japaner sind noch viel stärker in dies alten Regeln behaftet und so schnell lässt sich das dort sicher nicht aufweichen.
DeleteWow, these truly are some interesting outfits on the Japanese royals. The colours are fairly predictable but the fabric textures and work (such as the basket weave), and even some of the hats are quite unusual.
ReplyDeleteMasako is my favourite here and I commend her once again for not going with a hat. She looks wonderful and that colour suits her as we have seen before. I like the unusual collar, but if it were me I'd have gone with a rounded shawl lapel instead of the pointed one. It just works better with the flow of the outfits design. The crusted embroidery looks lovely. Hand-sewing all that on is akin to some elements of haute couture.
I also like the pale green outfit and the lady with the cream outfit in the photo below her. Both outfits are very nice, and their separate head pieces are nice too, especially the flowers worn at the back of the head.
All in all, very nice.
Anon 9:13
She goes without a hat as she is the host in her own home. This is always the way, see the British Royal family in similar circumstances - the guests wear hats but not the host.
DeleteMasako est bien jolie dans cette couleur "saumon" ; j'adore les perles de son collier et boucles d'oreilles mais je suis moins fan de sa broche.. L'empereur est toujours aussi classe !
ReplyDeleteWhat a treat to see all of these beautiful outfits and the gorgeous jewelry too. I’m a bit puzzled by the one green hat that looks like lace under a flying saucer, but it might just be the way the light hits the upper rim. The Empress looks stunning as always. So composed and elegant. (V.M.)
ReplyDeleteYes, I wonder how that very intriguing hat is constructed! I can’t figure out if it actually is hollow, like a hat worn upside-down, or if it is rounded but decorated in a “trompe l’oeil” style that tricks the eye and makes it appear hollow. Puzzling indeed, and ingenious!
DeleteThis time are a bit more color gown's, still pastel but very lovely.The orange gown of the Empress look splendid so are the other Imperial ladies gowns.Would I love to take a peek into their jewelry boxes, these pearls are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHermosos vestidos!!sus bordados, trabajos y colores;MASAKO elegantisima
ReplyDeleteMasako est élégante de la tête aux pieds.
ReplyDeleteL encolure de sa robe est original.
De la douceur émane de son visage.
Empress Masako's gown is beautiful. I love the wrap-around collar-lapel and how her pearl necklace is gracefully revealed. Her brooch with the one large pearl, and her pearl drop earrings are a great match to her necklace. The Crown Princess's dress is a pretty color and like the basket weave of the top and on her hat. At the far end of the other grouping, I am again impressed by the young lady with perfect posture in the cream colored gown and the modern necklace and earrings. Next to her, Princess Takamado (I think) wears another unusual hat. Her mint green dress looks soft and luxurious but a bit large for her, but her brooch, necklace and earrings are stunning.
ReplyDeleteEmpress Masako looks stunning. Her jewellery is perfect, love the brooches the ladies are wearing. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI miss princess Yoko of Mikasa. ¿Has she married and relinquished her place in the imperial family? Princess Hisako steals the show: the aguacate colour looks lovely on her. The only other lady who can compete with her in the realm of hats is princess Tomohito of Mikasa rwith her peach coloured hat with its sparkling beads detail.
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