merampo
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Imperial Family of Japan: News & Photos
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If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
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pdas1201
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Thank you for the beautiful pics, Merampo.
It is so nice to see Masako make regular appearances with the Royal Family. She was sorely missed by all Royal Watchers during her sickness. Hope she is feeling better now and continues to do so in the future.
By the way, Happy New Year and Best Wishes
It is so nice to see Masako make regular appearances with the Royal Family. She was sorely missed by all Royal Watchers during her sickness. Hope she is feeling better now and continues to do so in the future.
By the way, Happy New Year and Best Wishes
merampo
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La la
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I would love to see what the Empress looked like when she was young. She's really beautiful and elegant even at this age.
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merampo
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Ceremony of the Kousho Hajime (Imperial New Year's Lectures)
[font=ＭＳ 明朝] ●Ceremony of the Kousho Hajime (Imperial New Year's Lectures) [/font]
[font=ＭＳ 明朝][/font]
The Ceremony of the Kousho Hajime (Imperial New Year's Lectures) takes place every January at the Imperial Palace in the presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress. This is a ceremony in which Their Majesties listen to experts' explanations in the fields of human, social and natural sciences in their respective field. Other members of the Imperial Family, including His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince are also present and the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and members of the Japan Academy and the Japan Art Academy are also in attendance.
The Ceremony of the Kousho Hajime was instituted in 1869 with a "lecture for the New Year" designed for the enlightenment of studies by Emperor Meiji. In those early days, lectures concentrated on Japanese and Chinese texts, and subsequently came to include western texts. From 1953 the explanations in the above-mentioned three fields came to be instituted.
This ceremony was held on January 12, 2005.
[font=ＭＳ 明朝] ●Ceremony of the Kousho Hajime (Imperial New Year's Lectures) [/font]
[font=ＭＳ 明朝][/font]
The Ceremony of the Kousho Hajime (Imperial New Year's Lectures) takes place every January at the Imperial Palace in the presence of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress. This is a ceremony in which Their Majesties listen to experts' explanations in the fields of human, social and natural sciences in their respective field. Other members of the Imperial Family, including His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince are also present and the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and members of the Japan Academy and the Japan Art Academy are also in attendance.
The Ceremony of the Kousho Hajime was instituted in 1869 with a "lecture for the New Year" designed for the enlightenment of studies by Emperor Meiji. In those early days, lectures concentrated on Japanese and Chinese texts, and subsequently came to include western texts. From 1953 the explanations in the above-mentioned three fields came to be instituted.
This ceremony was held on January 12, 2005.
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Mandy
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Thank you for the article and the pictures merampo. Masako was not present at this event?
merampo
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●Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime (Imperial New Year's Poetry Reading)
●Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime (Imperial New Year's Poetry Reading)
A New Year Poetry Reading is a gathering of people who get together to read a collection of poems on a common theme to a wider audience. This practice was already in usage during the Nara Period, and became known through the famous volume of Japanese poetry, the Manyoshu.
An Imperial Poetry Reading is the same as the above-mentioned description, the only difference being that the poetry reading is convened by His Majesty the Emperor. As part of the annual events at the Imperial Palace, every month a Poetry Reading came to be held. Of these monthly Poetry Readings, the Imperial Poetry Reading was held as the first such party of the New Year, and was given the name Uta Gokai Hajime.
The origins of the Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime are unclear. During the mid-Kamakura period, on 15 January 1267, Emperor Kameyama convened a Poetry Reading at the Imperial Palace, which is recorded in the Gaiki Nikki as an internal ceremony. Since that time, records of the New Year's Poetry Reading can be found down through the ages. From such evidence, it can be surmised that the origins of the Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime are traceable to the mid-Kamakura period.
The Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime came to be held almost every year through the Edo period, and after the Meiji Restoration, the first Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime during the reign of Emperor Meiji was held in January 1869. Since then, among various reforms in ceremonies, the Utakai Hajime has continued to be held.
From 1874, poems written by the general public were admitted for consideration for the first time, and the Utakai Hajime in the Imperial Palace thus became open to the people of Japan, and no longer the preserve of members of the Imperial Family, grandees and their entourages.
In 1879, of the poems submitted by the general public, those considered to be of special merit were chosen to be read out at the Utakai Hajime. This was a ground breaking development in the history of the Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime and established the precedent for commoners to be included in the ceremony at the Imperial Palace.
Since 1882, all poems recited at the Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime including those by the Emperor and the specially selected poems have been published in newspapers and since 1884 they have been also published in the government gazette.
In 1926, the Imperial Family System Decree was promulgated, and this Decree mentioned the program of the Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime. Since then, the Utakai Hajime became formally known as Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime. However, due to the passing of Emperor Taisho in December 1926, the following year the Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime did not take place and the first year it took place with its new official name was 1928.
After World War II, the Poetry Department of the former Imperial Household Ministry was abolished and prominent poets from outside the confines of the Imperial Palace were appointed as poets to select poetry for the Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime. In addition, in order to elicit the submission of more poems from a wider range of people, the subject for the poems was made simpler. Furthermore, it became possible for those people whose poems were chosen to attend the Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime and have the opportunity to have an audience with Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress. The people who select the poems are those who are active in contributing to a wide variety of fields, and the number of people who attend the Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime to listen to the recitation of the poems has increased in size and scope. In addition, live television coverage has been introduced, bringing the spectacle of the Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime to an even wider audience and promoting national participation and enjoyment of the ceremony.
The Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime at the Imperial Palace boasts a long history and represents a ceremonial culture that has become more sophisticated with the reforms of the Meiji and post-war eras, to become a cultural event with national participation in a way that is unique in the world. Tanka poetry is said to be at the heart of all traditional culture in Japan. These tanka poems are heard and read not only in Japan, but also throughout the world, and the ceremony demonstrates their power to bind the people together with the Imperial Family through this annual ceremony at the Imperial Palace, which is something to be truly praised and lauded. The Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime is attended by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, and poems recited include those chosen from submissions by the general public, poems of the selectors themselves, and poems by professional poets. Finally, the poems of the Imperial Family, Her Majesty the Empress and His Majesty the Emperor are recited. Members of the Imperial Family, including His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince are present at the Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime, and other audience members include the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, members of the Japan Academy of Art and the members of the public whose poems have been chosen. The ceremony is performed through several participants, each with special titles: the dokuji (master of ceremonies), koji (reader of all poems), hassei (singer of poems from the first poem), and kosho (accompanying singer to the hassei for poems from the second poem).
http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e12/ed12-01.html
This year,this ceremony was held on January 14, 2005. The theme was ''AYUMI''.
Theme for the New Year's Poetry Reading, 2005: AYUMI (WALKING)
His Majesty the Emperor
Having walked through times
When there was no such great war,
My thoughts go out to
The people who had lived through
Those days of cruel hardship.
Note: This year marks the sixtieth anniversary of the ending of hostilities in 1945. His Majesty composed this poem as His thoughts ran to the people who had lived through that last Great War, sixty years ago, suffering hardships that tongue or pen cannot enumerate.
Her Majesty the Empress
A Summer morning
With bracing breezes blowing－
You walk down the lane
Though not fully recovered,
Looking serene and reposed.
Note: One morning last Summer, as They strolled together along a pathway in the Imperial Grounds, enjoying the cool, fresh breeze, the sight of his Majesty, though not completely healed, walking with calm serenity, gave Her Majesty a feeling of great peace and accordingly She composed this poem.
His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince
I look back on the path along the ridge leading to the summit,
And recall the steps, one after another, that brought me here.
Note: His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince loves mountains.
When he climbs mountains and stands at their summits, he reflects upon the path he has followed, the flowers and bird-songs that soothed his fatigue, the joys and rigors of mountaineering. These combine with his thoughts about the steps along the path of his own life so far to form this poem.
Her Imperial Highness the Crown Princess
We walk with our young child in tranquility along the garden path, deep scarlet in maple leaves,
And my heart grows comforted and restored.
Note: In an afternoon during deepening autumn, Their Imperial Highnesses and Princess Aiko walked through the Akasaka Palace garden full of beautiful fall colors. In this poem, Her Imperial Highness The Crown Princess recalls the peace of mind she felt each step of the way in the tranquil, quiet happiness of being together with Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Princess Aiko.
Supported by the warm-hearted assistance of His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince and the robust growth of Princess Aiko during the past year, Her Imperial Highness The Crown Princess has gradually regained her health. With her spirits renewed, she expresses her feelings of gratitude in this poem.
Her Imperial Highness Princess Sayako
Adding this new day
To all the days gone before,
One by one while They,
With unfailing devotion
Keep on walking far and long. Note: “Today” again, encountering Their Majesties as They took up Their duties for the day, continuing Their constant round, always with caring concern for the people, Her Highness composed this poem as her thoughts ran reflectively and with deep respect and gratitude to the long road They are continuing to travel together.
http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/eutakai/eutakai-h17.html
Yes,Princess Masako was absent....Mandy said:
●Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime (Imperial New Year's Poetry Reading)
A New Year Poetry Reading is a gathering of people who get together to read a collection of poems on a common theme to a wider audience. This practice was already in usage during the Nara Period, and became known through the famous volume of Japanese poetry, the Manyoshu.
An Imperial Poetry Reading is the same as the above-mentioned description, the only difference being that the poetry reading is convened by His Majesty the Emperor. As part of the annual events at the Imperial Palace, every month a Poetry Reading came to be held. Of these monthly Poetry Readings, the Imperial Poetry Reading was held as the first such party of the New Year, and was given the name Uta Gokai Hajime.
The origins of the Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime are unclear. During the mid-Kamakura period, on 15 January 1267, Emperor Kameyama convened a Poetry Reading at the Imperial Palace, which is recorded in the Gaiki Nikki as an internal ceremony. Since that time, records of the New Year's Poetry Reading can be found down through the ages. From such evidence, it can be surmised that the origins of the Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime are traceable to the mid-Kamakura period.
The Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime came to be held almost every year through the Edo period, and after the Meiji Restoration, the first Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime during the reign of Emperor Meiji was held in January 1869. Since then, among various reforms in ceremonies, the Utakai Hajime has continued to be held.
From 1874, poems written by the general public were admitted for consideration for the first time, and the Utakai Hajime in the Imperial Palace thus became open to the people of Japan, and no longer the preserve of members of the Imperial Family, grandees and their entourages.
In 1879, of the poems submitted by the general public, those considered to be of special merit were chosen to be read out at the Utakai Hajime. This was a ground breaking development in the history of the Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime and established the precedent for commoners to be included in the ceremony at the Imperial Palace.
Since 1882, all poems recited at the Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime including those by the Emperor and the specially selected poems have been published in newspapers and since 1884 they have been also published in the government gazette.
In 1926, the Imperial Family System Decree was promulgated, and this Decree mentioned the program of the Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime. Since then, the Utakai Hajime became formally known as Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime. However, due to the passing of Emperor Taisho in December 1926, the following year the Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime did not take place and the first year it took place with its new official name was 1928.
After World War II, the Poetry Department of the former Imperial Household Ministry was abolished and prominent poets from outside the confines of the Imperial Palace were appointed as poets to select poetry for the Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime. In addition, in order to elicit the submission of more poems from a wider range of people, the subject for the poems was made simpler. Furthermore, it became possible for those people whose poems were chosen to attend the Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime and have the opportunity to have an audience with Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress. The people who select the poems are those who are active in contributing to a wide variety of fields, and the number of people who attend the Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime to listen to the recitation of the poems has increased in size and scope. In addition, live television coverage has been introduced, bringing the spectacle of the Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime to an even wider audience and promoting national participation and enjoyment of the ceremony.
The Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime at the Imperial Palace boasts a long history and represents a ceremonial culture that has become more sophisticated with the reforms of the Meiji and post-war eras, to become a cultural event with national participation in a way that is unique in the world. Tanka poetry is said to be at the heart of all traditional culture in Japan. These tanka poems are heard and read not only in Japan, but also throughout the world, and the ceremony demonstrates their power to bind the people together with the Imperial Family through this annual ceremony at the Imperial Palace, which is something to be truly praised and lauded. The Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime is attended by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, and poems recited include those chosen from submissions by the general public, poems of the selectors themselves, and poems by professional poets. Finally, the poems of the Imperial Family, Her Majesty the Empress and His Majesty the Emperor are recited. Members of the Imperial Family, including His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince are present at the Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime, and other audience members include the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, members of the Japan Academy of Art and the members of the public whose poems have been chosen. The ceremony is performed through several participants, each with special titles: the dokuji (master of ceremonies), koji (reader of all poems), hassei (singer of poems from the first poem), and kosho (accompanying singer to the hassei for poems from the second poem).
http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/e12/ed12-01.html
This year,this ceremony was held on January 14, 2005. The theme was ''AYUMI''.
Theme for the New Year's Poetry Reading, 2005: AYUMI (WALKING)
His Majesty the Emperor
Having walked through times
When there was no such great war,
My thoughts go out to
The people who had lived through
Those days of cruel hardship.
Note: This year marks the sixtieth anniversary of the ending of hostilities in 1945. His Majesty composed this poem as His thoughts ran to the people who had lived through that last Great War, sixty years ago, suffering hardships that tongue or pen cannot enumerate.
Her Majesty the Empress
A Summer morning
With bracing breezes blowing－
You walk down the lane
Though not fully recovered,
Looking serene and reposed.
Note: One morning last Summer, as They strolled together along a pathway in the Imperial Grounds, enjoying the cool, fresh breeze, the sight of his Majesty, though not completely healed, walking with calm serenity, gave Her Majesty a feeling of great peace and accordingly She composed this poem.
His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince
I look back on the path along the ridge leading to the summit,
And recall the steps, one after another, that brought me here.
Note: His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince loves mountains.
When he climbs mountains and stands at their summits, he reflects upon the path he has followed, the flowers and bird-songs that soothed his fatigue, the joys and rigors of mountaineering. These combine with his thoughts about the steps along the path of his own life so far to form this poem.
Her Imperial Highness the Crown Princess
We walk with our young child in tranquility along the garden path, deep scarlet in maple leaves,
And my heart grows comforted and restored.
Note: In an afternoon during deepening autumn, Their Imperial Highnesses and Princess Aiko walked through the Akasaka Palace garden full of beautiful fall colors. In this poem, Her Imperial Highness The Crown Princess recalls the peace of mind she felt each step of the way in the tranquil, quiet happiness of being together with Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Princess Aiko.
Supported by the warm-hearted assistance of His Imperial Highness The Crown Prince and the robust growth of Princess Aiko during the past year, Her Imperial Highness The Crown Princess has gradually regained her health. With her spirits renewed, she expresses her feelings of gratitude in this poem.
Her Imperial Highness Princess Sayako
Adding this new day
To all the days gone before,
One by one while They,
With unfailing devotion
Keep on walking far and long. Note: “Today” again, encountering Their Majesties as They took up Their duties for the day, continuing Their constant round, always with caring concern for the people, Her Highness composed this poem as her thoughts ran reflectively and with deep respect and gratitude to the long road They are continuing to travel together.
http://www.kunaicho.go.jp/eutakai/eutakai-h17.html
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Mandy
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Thank you for sharing this article with us. One can almost feel the joy and serenity expressed in their poetry.
pdas1201
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January 17, 2005: Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko offer flowers for earthquake victims during a memorial service in Kobe, western Japan. On the 10th anniversary of the massive earthquake which killed more than 6,433 people in the country's worst post-World War II disaster.
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Mandy
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Thanks pdas for the news and pictures.
pdas1201
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You are most welcome, Mandy.Mandy said:
pdas1201
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January 14, 2005: Polish Prime Minister Marek Belka and his wife Krystyna talk with Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko during their audience at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Belka is in Japan on a four-day official visit for talks with Japanese government and business leaders.
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merampo
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Mandy
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Thanks for sharing these pictures with us.merampo said:
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Just read an article saying that the Japanese royal family is considering to adopt a male child from other Royal members in order to have a male to succeed the throne. In order for this to happen, they will need to change the act of succession law. Currently the eldest child is female.
Seriously why can't they have a Crown Princess and move with times? It appears to me it is an old fashion and discriminating way to get someone to succeed the throne.
Seriously why can't they have a Crown Princess and move with times? It appears to me it is an old fashion and discriminating way to get someone to succeed the throne.
MoonlightRhapsody
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I agree wholeheartedly. It's a waste of time changing the imperial succession laws to adopt a male heir from another distant line when they have a perfectly legitimate and direct heir already but just happens to be female. By adopting a male heir from a distant family relation is effectively ending the direct lineage of the emperor's. It's the same blood principle whether or not the ruler is male or female. The bloodline is still direct with still the same amount of dilution of blood. My vote, if I were given one, would be to change the succession law to have Aiko as empress. It wouldn't be as if Japan has never had one. She'd be the 8th or 9th empress in their history.Scanorama said:
merampo
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But, here is a big problem.
They were all temporary though eight empresses had existed certainly
up to now.
In a word, empress and general person's children
have never become emperors.
So,it is not the issue that Princess Aiko becomes Empress.
But,the problem is that child between Princess Aiko and
general person becomes emperor .
That is,all emperors must have founder emperor's Y genes.
This rule has not been changed since1600 years or more ago,the age of the myth .
pictures
1,Princess Sayako,who is engaged to Mr.Kuroda,visited the preview in the movie .(2005-1-16)
2and3,Emperor Akihito opened the diet.(2005-1-21)
4,Princess Sayako visited The National Science Museum,Tokyo(2005-1-25)
They were all temporary though eight empresses had existed certainly
up to now.
In a word, empress and general person's children
have never become emperors.
So,it is not the issue that Princess Aiko becomes Empress.
But,the problem is that child between Princess Aiko and
general person becomes emperor .
That is,all emperors must have founder emperor's Y genes.
This rule has not been changed since1600 years or more ago,the age of the myth .
pictures
1,Princess Sayako,who is engaged to Mr.Kuroda,visited the preview in the movie .(2005-1-16)
2and3,Emperor Akihito opened the diet.(2005-1-21)
4,Princess Sayako visited The National Science Museum,Tokyo(2005-1-25)
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Mandy
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Thank you for the pictures merampo. Princess Sayako looks happy and lovely.
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From Archivesgotha: the official engagement between Her Imperial Highness Princess Sayako and Mr Yoshiki Kuroda will take place next March :
http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=1&id=326246
http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=1&id=326246
merampo
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MoonlightRhapsody
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Reina said:
I think she'll keep her jewels but I highly doubt that they'll make a change for her to keep her title as princess. The debate of empress is still an uncertain issue and I doubt Princess Nori will get a debate over her title after marriage.
I have to hand it to her, she's a great example of a modern and independent woman. She went to school and pursued the life she wanted, being a researcher. She waited until she achieved her happiness before getting married.
pdas1201
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pdas1201
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January 18, 2005: Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko attended the World Conference on Disaster Reduction in Kobe, Japan. The conference is expected to focus on the creation of a tsunami warning system for countries around the Indian Ocean that were devastated by last month's earthquake-induced disaster.
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From Archivesgotha (in Spanish):
http://cines.eluniversal.com/2005/02/01/soc_ava_01A528857.shtml
The official engagement ceremony for Princess Nori will take place on March 19.
http://cines.eluniversal.com/2005/02/01/soc_ava_01A528857.shtml
The official engagement ceremony for Princess Nori will take place on March 19.
merampo
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Mandy
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Thank you merampo for such a lovely picture of the couple.
Balqis
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merampo said:
So this is the real reason. I was not aware of this, thanks very much for enlightening us about this, Merampo. Much appreciated
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