On December 1, Princess Aiko turned 20. In Japan, people become legal adults at the age of 20. Princess Aiko's coming-of-age ceremonies, known as Seijin-shiki, took place on December 5 with a delay caused by her classes during the weekdays at Tokyo’s Gakushuin University. In the morning, Princess Aiko visited the three sanctuaries at the Imperial Palace and received the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown from Emperor Naruhito.
In the afternoon, Princess Aiko (Princess Toshi) met with Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, and her grandparents former Emperor Akihito and former Empress Michiko. Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Kako, Prince Hitachi and other members of the Imperial family visited the Imperial Palace for Princess Aiko's birthday greetings.
As a tradition in Japan, when princesses turn 20, they receive a new tiara. Princess Aiko borrowed the tiara of her aunt, former Princess Sayako, who left the imperial family when she got married in November 2005. The Imperial Household preferred not to buy a new tiara for Princess Aiko because of the ongoing pandemic.
Princess Aiko is not in the line of succession as women in Japan cannot ascend the throne. Aiko will from now on perform official duties as an adult member of the Imperial family.
Glad that she borrowed former princess Sayako's tiara. This is a nice design. Princess Aiko is pretty, all adorned and groomed up.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Princess Aiko. She looks lovely and serene. That white fabric is exquisite.
ReplyDeleteI agree on all the positive comments here above, but how could her style get a bit more adapted to our time ? For instance the styling of her gown , the skirt part is too ample.
DeleteJe ne peux que la féliciter ; j'aime beaucoup la facture de ce diadème qu'elle porte à ravir !
ReplyDeleteWhile the styles of the Japanese women remains the same, the fabric of their gowns is incredibly exquisite. It is therefore sad, that they cannot move with the times and allow the young women to gently move their fashion forward, instead of keeping it back somewhere in the 70's era. I'm not sure of the time frame, just know that it makes everyone appear older, when they are such intelligent, vibrant young women. jj
ReplyDeleteLove it!
ReplyDeleteDP
I’ll join in loving this, too!
DeleteВера💚🦋
Of all the tiaras worn by the Japanese princesses, I think this is one of the better ones, and I like that the necklace is not married to the tiara. Princess Aiko's gown is beautiful. As Cynthia noted, the fabric is exquisite, and the button on the cuff is a gorgeous detail.
ReplyDeletePrincess Aiko looks so pretty and grown up. For this special ceremony I see the outfits much like the capes, feathered hats, order, jewels for the Order of the Garter or Thistle services. There is this traditional styling but the color, fabric, cut (of jacket or neckline) and hairstyle have a uniqueness for each one. She looks absolutely beautiful in all she is wearing. I love that she is wearing her aunt’s tiara and necklace which look lovely on her. Trying to pick out the earrings if they are new or borrowed. Her updo is so pretty and softly done. My daughter is the same age- my they do grow up so quickly!!
ReplyDeleteGlo
Beautiful tiara, exquisite fabric for the Princess' ensemble, and a lovely young princess--it will be wonderful to see Princess Aiko grow into her public role as a member of the royal family.
ReplyDeleteAre we sure the Tiara is borrowed from her aunt? My understanding is that when a Japanese princess marries and ceases to be an official part of the imperial family, she also returns the tiara she received on her 20th birthday which goes back into the family pool.
ReplyDeleteReference: http://orderofsplendor.blogspot.com/2017/04/tiara-thursday-on-friday-princess-noris.html
I have read that Basie the this tiara was originally purchased with Emperor Akihito’s personal living expenses money and was given as a gift to his daughter, which would me she owns it and has lent it to her niece Aiko.
Deletehttps://www.thecourtjeweller.com/2021/11/an-imperial-heirloom-tiara-for-japans-princess-aiko.html
Fashionwise the Japanese Empresses and Princesses dress themselves in the look of the sixthies and seventhies. So is Princess Ann.
ReplyDeleteI like their tiara's. They are fine pieces of art. Much better than the very big tiara's worn by some of the European queens. But every dynasty whether it is in Europe or in Asia or in Africa have to stick to the rules of their ancesters. In fact they are not free in so many ways. I'm lucky I am not one of them.
MJ
The princesses' tiaras are usually made at public expense and returned to the state when they leave the royal family. Princess Nori's tiara was made at private expense, so even if she got married and left the imperial family, it would not be returned to the government; it would remain her property.
ReplyDeleteThat was also the custom in European royal families. The King sometimes offered a tiara to his queen (wife) at private expense. These tiara's did not returned to the government. I think it is not the custom any more in European royal families. They have enough tiara's adapted sometimes during history. Some of them can be transformed to necklaces etc...
DeleteThe tiara's are also not worn so frequently any more than in the past, except for state visits.
Carla
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