On June 4, 2023, Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited Iwate Prefecture. Iwate Prefecture was one of the disaster areas of Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami in 2011. The Emperor and Empress attended the 73rd National Tree Planting Festival in Rikuzentakata. The festival took place at Takatamatsubara Memorial Park for Tsunami Disaster in the Iwate Prefecture city.
They seem so happy, the warmth of their smiles so much more than just Japanese politeness. She is lovely!
ReplyDeleteThe Emperor and Empress both look so nice and welcoming. Her suite has excellent details and impeccable tailoring. I like her bumper hats. I think she looks very good in them. And finally we can see their nice smiles, no masks.
ReplyDeleteLadyofthemanor
We all know, and have commented endlessly, on the monotonously repeated style of clothing and accessories that are selected for the ladies of the Japanese Imperial family to wear on occasions like this. But one thing we will never find fault with is the superlative tailoring and detailing - and even the choice of pale, rich colours and fabrics - of the outfits they are provided with. These photos show yet one more example of this craftsmanship. The cut of the suit, and the embroidered or appliqué'd detailing on the cuffs, collar and lapels. Empress Masako wears this outfit and understated colour exquisitely.
ReplyDelete- Anon 9:13
Let's forget about the hat ... The smiles in the last picture mean progression
ReplyDeleteOh, they are great and lovely! I'm so happy to see them in less protocol attitudes, plus the look wonderful:-))
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely couple. The Empress's suit (or dress and jacket) is tailored perfectly and is a beautiful blue, matched by the Emperor's tie as always. Her pearl necklace and earrings go nicely with her ensemble.
ReplyDeleteI have no issue with the very conservative suit the Empress is wearing; however, I don't think the hat is a good match - why not go for something less bowl-like? She doesn't have to go full Ascot, but something a bit more chic, maybe...?
ReplyDeleteI'd love to see the empress occasionally wear an elegant, small beret, or a small pillbox set slightly back on the head. Audrey Hepburn wore a simple, head-hugging style in the closing scene of "Roman Holiday" that would suit Empress Masako beautifully. (It is very frustrating not to know what some hat styles are called!) I've heard it speculated that Masako chose her "go-to" hat style out of a wish to not look taller than her husband. That's fine, but there _are_ alternatives that would add no more height, and I really wish she would consider trying them. -- Jane
DeleteExactly, I absolutely agree - there are chic and elegant "low" hat styles as well, there don't have to be 30 cm of ostrich feathers.
DeleteI believe the hat style you are referring to is called a "calotte", also spelled calot. The juliet cap is a form of calot, but I think of the juliet cap as more often being symmetrical and embellished with embroidery or jewels/beads. S.M.
DeleteS.M., many thanks for that information. — Jane
DeleteThis suit is beautifully tailored and crafted, fits perfectly, very elegant. Love the pale blue color. The trim/embroidery on the cuffs, lapel and collar is a lovely feature, adding interest. The addition of her pearl necklace and earrings, perfect. Her accessories are a lovely color.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Empress Masako's hat placed low on her forehead is a visual tactic to reduce her height relative to the Emperor?
ReplyDeleteGood point. But there are other "headwear" alternatives that could achieve the same goal. As usual, the tailoring gets a 10 plus out ot 10 vote.
DeleteAh, je suis ravie de les voir sans masques ; cela permet de mieux voir leur sourire radieux. J'adore la couleur gris/perle de son costume mais pas le style de son chapeau ; par contre, je ne me lasse jamais de voir ses perles !
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking up the topic. The Emperor and Empress are the hope of the people, but for some reason their activities are obstructed. I want to see a lot of their activities. I think "Princess Toshinomiya Aiko" is suitable for the succession of the imperial throne.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous5/6/23 13:21
DeleteWe understand that their activities are affected by her illness. Emperor Naruhito and her medical team announce it every year. Is it wrong? I do not believe that His Majesty has been lied to.
I was happy to see her attend the religious ritual at their enthronement. But now she continues to be absent from the court rituals that pray for the peace of Japan and its people. I understand it is due to her illness.
Japan has suffered from big earthquakes again and again. There was the Kumamoto earthquake. She has never visited the affected areas of Kumamoto. I also understood due to her illness. If she can not go to Kumamoto because of ‘some obstruction’, it is a big problem for the people of Kumamoto.
Do you know the film 'MINAMATA' starring Johnny Depp?
Generally, films or movies have some dramatizations, but do you think that incident in Kumamoto(the subject of that film) possibly affected their activities?
Japan royalty performs official duties alone when they come of age, but would you also tell me why Princess Aiko has yet to do so? There were no official appearances during even the long spring break at university.
I wondered if you knew of any reason since it seems to be your wish to break the Constitution of Japan.
I could not understand the meaning of your comment, so I am sorry for asking you some questions.
Empress Masako used to wear many types of hats when she was young. It looked good on her.
ReplyDeleteEmpress Michiko preferred a small type so people could see her face well. I do not know why Empress Masako chooses this style. In the first place, I don't think she needs to worry about the height difference at all, but if she does, it would be the opposite effect, in my opinion.
With her this type of hat on, people cannot see her face well. It hides both her forehead and her hairstyle. Moreover, with her mask, we can see only her eyes. The human mind tries to see more. Then the top of her head catches people's eyes.
It's a pleasure that she takes off a mask and shows us her beautiful smile. People must have appreciated a lot in the disaster-affected areas.
For the royal lady, matching of outfit(&hat)-expression-mannerisms works for lighting up their presence without attention to one spot. When that balance is lost, those around them will feel awkward.
Empress madako is very stylist lady but since she married into royal she lost her style sometimes it is very tired to see her same design same type the hat nothing new it is very disappointed not like Europe royal .
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