On January 22, 2025, Japanese Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Princess Aiko, Crown Prince Akishino, Princess Kiko, Princess Kako, Princess Takamado, and Princess Tsuguko attended the 'Utakai Hajime' New Year's Poetry Reading Ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. This year, Princess Aiko attended the New Year's Poetry event for the first time.
Poems composed by Imperial Family members and guests were recited in traditional form at the ceremony held in the palace's 'Matsu-no-Ma' state room. This year's theme was 'yume,' meaning 'dream.' Princess Aiko wrote a poem expressing her anticipation of reuniting with her friends. 'Until the day we meet again / My friends and I will / Each follow our dreams,' reads the English translation of her poem released by the Imperial Household Agency.
Emperor Naruhito wrote a poem reflecting his delight at hearing local children share their dreams and aspirations during a trip outside Tokyo last year. Empress Masako, on the other hand, reminisced about her days studying at Britain's University of Oxford and working at Japan's Foreign Ministry before joining the Imperial Family.
J'ai tout de suite remarqué l'élégance même classique de la princesse Takamado ainsi que la princesse Aiko portant un tambourin qui n'est pas du tout tendance contrairement à sa cousine la princesse Kako avec son joli bibi !
ReplyDeleteI like Empress Masako's dress.
ReplyDeleteIt's not the height of elegance or royalty, but it suits her well and has something different about it.
I also like her jewellery: well chosen.
-Astrid.
How completely wonderful to have a small glimpse into an imperial poetry tradition! Anyone know - is this in the haiku form or other? Long live Japan’s unique traditions and may they be very slow to change from what has served them well traditionally.
ReplyDeletehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waka_(poetry) Wikipediaをご覧ください。
Delete愛子様が詠まれた和歌は、大人しいドレスとは対照的に、若々しく溌剌としたものでした。
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. I wish that I could have heard her recite it.
Delete- Anon 9:13
Thank you, @Anon 14:25. You have a very pretty full stop, if this: 。is a full stop :-)
DeleteThe way how elegantly that three-strang pearl necklace is integrated into the neckline of Masako's gown is perfect.
ReplyDeleteI agree, and was just thinking the very same thing - that the collar style and the pearls together are beautiful.
Delete- Anon 9:13
Yes I noticed that too. Those pearls are stunning! (V.M.)
DeleteExquisite fabric and jewellery make the scene so serene. I like how they cover the table with fabric.
ReplyDeleteThe neckline of Empress Masako's gown is exquisitely designed and the perfect platform for those gorgeous pearls. Aiko's poem is lovely. Kako's bright blue is wonderful to see in this sea of creams, ivories, and pastels.
ReplyDeleteJanet
Oh my goodness, Princess Aiko looks sooo beautiful. Breathtaking, imo. Her hat and the jacket are especially lovely on her, imo. I knew she had the potential to look this exquisite, and it’s all here. Another delight is the very subtle mermaid-ish cut of Empress Masako’s skirt. It’s something I’ve never seen on her, and is another unexpected treat. All the ladies look wonderful; that’s business as usual for the Imperial family on these occasions — but mother and daughter really have made my day ♥️. — Jane
ReplyDeleteFashion: I know for sure that I would never, never wear these long dresses worn by the ladies of the Japanese imperial family. I will say it openly and freely: the dresses are old-fashioned, they look "hard" (maybe brocade), ossified.
ReplyDeleteI have always wondered why the tables in front of the emperor are so carelessly covered with tablecloths and why the staff does not iron the tablecloths.
Stephanie
Carelessly?? Hardly; the beautiful table coverings are clearly crafted, fitted and tied with great care. Any appearance of creasing can safely be assumed to be deliberate. I would love to learn about the entire process, including the history of this custom.
DeleteI am sure that you will be spared the experience of wearing formal court dress for attending a ceremony like this anyway. The tables are carefully (!!!) and traditionally wrapped in cloth, most likely a silk fabric with certain prints on them that have a special meaning. The wrapping itself is an art form, and the not ironed look is in fact part of it. Nothing is left to chance on such an occasion at the Imperial Court.
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