Japanese Emperor and Empress Pay Respects at Princess Yuriko’s Grave

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were welcomed by Princess Akiko at Toshimagaoka Cemetery

On March 14, 2025, Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako visited Toshimagaoka Cemetery in Bunkyo Ward, Tokyo, to pay their respects at the grave of Princess Yuriko of Mikasa, who passed away in November of the previous year.

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were welcomed by Princess Akiko at Toshimagaoka Cemetery

Upon their arrival at the cemetery, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were welcomed by Princess Akiko, who was serving as the chief mourner of the Mikasa family and is the granddaughter of the late Princess Yuriko of Mikasa.

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were welcomed by Princess Akiko at Toshimagaoka Cemetery

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were welcomed by Princess Akiko at Toshimagaoka Cemetery

The "100th Day Memorial Service" for Princess Yuriko of Mikasa was held on February 22, but in accordance with tradition, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako did not attend and instead sent a representative.

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were welcomed by Princess Akiko at Toshimagaoka Cemetery

Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko had also planned to visit the grave, but they canceled their visit because Empress Emerita Michiko’s elder brother, Iwao Shoda, passed away earlier this month, and they are observing a period of mourning.

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were welcomed by Princess Akiko at Toshimagaoka Cemetery
11 Comments

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  1. Anonymous15/3/25 13:41

    Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are always impeccable. I find the Empress skirt a little long, but I am sure it has to do with the strict court code.
    mjt

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  2. Anonymous15/3/25 14:03

    nice hairdo, first time seeing braided hair on a member of the imperial family. hope we see again.

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  3. Anonymous15/3/25 14:30

    HIM the Empress looks lovely here. And while I realize the veiled hat is a sort of uniform item that all the Imperial ladies wear for funerals and memorials, I find it very flattering to the Empress.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous15/3/25 15:07

      In the old days ladies were wearing veiled hats in Europe too, but the veils were worn differently than here. This custom is gone since a long time. Now ladies are wearing at certain funerals or memorial ceremonies black hats if necessary and even this custom is dissappearing. At the funeral of Queen Mathilde's uncle and godfather she wore a black Armani pantsuit and black accessories but no hat.

      Delete
  4. Comme souvent, le couple impérial a une certaine allure même pour assister à ce genre d'hommage !

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  5. Anonymous15/3/25 16:25

    She always looks so well put together. We have to remember that the purpose of a hat has changed through history and cultures. Today it seems to be more of a fashion statement rather than reverence. The veil was intended to cover the eyes to give the griever a bit of privacy. These days woman just wear sunglasses to hide their eyes. The Japanese appear to use it for reverence still. Just my opinion.

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  6. Anonymous15/3/25 16:39

    Hello to the to the Empress and the Emperor from the King

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  7. Anonymous15/3/25 19:23

    I’m always impressed at how elegant and graceful the Empress is. A perfect suit fitting for the occasion.
    Lowri.

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  8. The Empress looks really beautiful. Well groomed, a gorgeous graceful outfit. The ensemble is perfect.

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  9. Anonymous15/3/25 23:07

    Always elegant. One expects nothing else. So nice to see them out together.
    css

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  10. Anonymous16/3/25 05:03

    皇室は神道ですが、喪の服装の時には西洋に習ってトークハットとベールを被ります。
    葬儀当日は故人に近い関係の人ほど長いベールを用います。
    皇族の女性は喪の服装の時に革製の靴を履きません。
    宗教上、生き物の死を嫌うためです。
    一般人の靴も同様に考える人はいますが、それほど厳密ではありません。

    ReplyDelete

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