On January 10, 2025, Japanese Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, and Princess Aiko attended the First New Year’s Lecture of Reiwa 7 (2025) at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. They were joined by Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Kako, Princess Takamado, and Princess Tsuguko. The annual New Year’s Lecture, known as Kousho Hajime, took place in the Matsu-no-ma Hall of the palace.
The Kousho Hajime Ceremony is held every January at the Imperial Palace in the presence of the Emperor and Empress. During this ceremony, experts present topics from the fields of humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences to the Emperor and Empress.
They don't exactly look overly happy to listen, but Masako is perfect at very convincingly doing as if she were. The colors are beautiful, I love this collection of cool blues and greens of varying saturation.
ReplyDeleteProbably struggling to stay vertical & not fall off their chairs. Aiko especially looks half asleep. But they do their duty. The colors are very nice. ~~Ruthie
Delete@Anon 17:10: As they are only allowed to occupy a small part of the chair, they cannot totally fall asleep and as a consequence, they cannot fall off the chairs. Being only mentally asleep with a straight spine is probably a skill perfected by Aiko :-)
Delete@Anon17:52: Yes, I realize that's probably why they sit the way they do; I know I would. ~~Ruthie
DeleteThe EMPRESS looks beautiful in the electric blue. Stunning.
ReplyDeleteAgree, Empress Masako looks beautiful, but I feel sorry for the royal ladies who have to wear such old fashion dresses.
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Agreed! Janet
DeleteLovely colors but I like the Empress' choice of best. The color is gorgeous on her. Kako looks lovely in her gown and I love the hat she chose to wear--again, she's working fashionable style well despite the severe restrictions of Imperial House.
DeleteJanet
Very beautiful outfits and wonderful to see countries like Japan retain their own (peaceful) traditions in this era of globalisation. If we have a Japanese reader here, I’d love your further explanations on the clothing, position and meaning of the women’s fans etc.
ReplyDeletehttps://sensu-yamani.jp/topics/ これは日本の京都で営む扇子店のサイトです。ご参考になると良いのですけれど。
DeleteFor anonymous 17:18. From Joann: As I understand it, they are not wearing fashion, according to personal taste or trends. They are wearing ceremonial dress dictated by custom and tradition. This link may help: https://japan-forward.com/what-japans-royal-women-wear/
DeleteAs for fans, I copied this paragraph: Yes, traditionally, Japanese royal women would carry fans, specifically a type called a "sensu" (folding fan), which was often used as an accessory in court ceremonies and considered a symbol of status and elegance among the nobility; different designs and decorations on the fan could signify the wearer's rank. Here is a link. It's a long explanation, but well worth the reading.https://japanobjects.com/features/japanese-fans
Interesting that the Empress is not wearing a hat.
ReplyDelete皇居は皇后陛下の家です。皇后陛下は自宅で帽子を被りません。他の女性皇族は自分の家から皇居を訪れます。屋外を通るので日差しを避けるために帽子を被ります。昨年１０１歳で亡くなった三笠宮百合子様は孫にこのように説明したそうです。
DeletePrincess Aiko looks lovely i her pastel green, I would like to see her in none pastel colours. The fabric on CP Kiko is exquisite, the colour on Kako is nice. I just love taking time to look at the fabulous fabrics and how they embellish.The signature style is nice, they seem to have these gowns made on a mannequin and not necessarily altered for a closer fit. Although the empress seems to.
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy seeing Princess Takamado and her daughter. In their private life (outside royal dress codes) they are always dressed very elegantly and smartly, and often favour contemporary designers. Princess Takamado is a well educated lady and an impressive public speaker. She is engaged in many interests within science and the Arts.
ReplyDelete- Anon 9:13
Masako est lumineuse dans cette couleur bleue mais je remarque que le bas de sa robe manque de tenue !
ReplyDeleteEmpress Masako always elegant and in style. Finally, a little color gowns by the other Imperial Ladies.
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I am glad I am not a member of Japan's Imperial Family ! lol
ReplyDeleteAva
There is something really beautiful about the look of old world in the gowns the Imperial Royal ladies are wearing. The embellished fabric is stunning, the colors are gorgeous. The gowns fit the ladies well and I don't mind the styles on them. There use of pearl necklaces and brooches elevates the look. Very elegant and sincere all of them.
ReplyDeleteこの日、皇族に講義をした武田佐知子氏は大阪大学名誉教授です。彼女の専門は日本古代史、服装史、女性史。講義では古代に数人存在した女性天皇と服飾の関りについて触れたそうです。
ReplyDeleteI applaud them for always sitting upright and not falling asleep during the lecture, especially in seating arrangement like that. Must be very hard.
ReplyDeleteWhy Princess Aiko must wear a hat that doesn't suit her. The other royal ladies are wearing a hat in a much prettier style or no hat at all. I wonder if she has something to say about the way she is dressed.
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