Japanese Enthronement Celebrations: April - October 2019


If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
See posts with no answers
Mbruno said:
Did Felipe/Letizia and Philippe/Mathilde leave Japan before the tea party and the PM's banquet ?
Click to expand...


Not sure about the Belgian but King Felipe and Queen Letizia began a state visit to South Korea today.
 
Sauli Niinistö, the President of Finland and our First Lady Jenni Haukio attended at the events. On Monday the president met prime minister Shinzo Abe and mrs Haukio visited the Moominvalley Park in Hanno. At the banquet yesterday the President and the First Lady greeted crown prince Akishino and crown princess Kiko, who visited Finland in the summer and met the presidential couple then.
https://beta.tt.se/media/image/sdl3wnhGeVSnF4_WatermarkPreview.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48946620567_13f90e0645_k.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48945884253_4a60741f38_k.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48946620992_641209a466_k.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48946620777_96ea1247c4_k.jpg

President of Iceland, President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson and First Lady Eliza Reid yesterday
https://cdn.mbl.is/frimg/1/16/64/1166407.jpg
https://cdn.mbl.is/frimg/1/16/64/1166443.jpg

Japan's Emperor Naruhito hosts tea party for foreign royals
Japanese Emperor Naruhito is hosting a tea party at his residence for royals from other countries, thanking them for celebrating his enthronement at a palace ceremony the day before.
Naruhito and his wife, Masako, greeted the royal guests with hugs or handshakes as they arrived at the tea party on Wednesday.
Guests included Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf, Grand Duke of Luxembourg Henri, Malaysian King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, Brunei's King Hassanal Bolkiah and Prince Albert II of Monaco.
Palace officials said other members of the imperial family would join the party, including Naruhito's abdicated father, Akihito, and his wife, former Empress Michiko.
Japan's Emperor Naruhito hosts tea party for foreign royals - ABC News

Some photos from today
9 härliga bilder – Victorias underbara festnatt utomlands _ Svensk Dam

Gallery from yesterday and today
TT Nyhetsbyrån
 
Last edited:
Tatiana Maria said:
Those reading the thread for the first time might be interested in these helpful details and articles posted earlier by Prisma.

Basic descriptions of the ceremonies
Japan’s Year of Imperial Succession Continues with Autumn Enthronement and Thanksgiving Ceremonies | Nippon.com
Pomp and Pageantry: Emperor Naruhito's Enthronement Ceremony | Nippon.com
Ceremonies and Rites related to the Accession to the Throne (Schedule)

Details of the program
http://www.theroyalforums.com/forum...april-october-2019-a-46321-7.html#post2253452
http://www.theroyalforums.com/forum...april-october-2019-a-46321-7.html#post2254234

Video demonstrations of the jūnihitoe (traditional dress worn by the imperial women at the enthronement)
http://www.theroyalforums.com/forum...april-october-2019-a-46321-9.html#post2258208

Livestream links (note that I have not looked to see whether they have video available after the event)
http://www.theroyalforums.com/forum...pril-october-2019-a-46321-12.html#post2262532
http://www.theroyalforums.com/forum...pril-october-2019-a-46321-12.html#post2262652
Click to expand...

What a treat the enthronement has been!

It's so interesting to see the various details demonstrated and explained.
 
These have been some great days. I thank everyone who has provided information on the ceremonies and traditions.
What a nice royal gathering. :flowers:

I really liked this picture, it shows the warm feeling between the two couples that I saw on Frederik's and Mary's visit to Japan two years ago
https://beta.tt.se/media/image/sdleSb03n15k3k_WatermarkPreview.jpg

yesterday, Frederik and Mary with the Danish ambassador to Japan
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EHeFmBkU8AA2IMG.jpg

DRF video
VIDEO: Kronprinsparret deltog i gallamiddag i Japan | Kongehuset

and some articles from the DailyMail
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...aruhito-enthroned-centuries-old-ceremony.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/...ion-Emperor-Naruhitos-enthronement-Japan.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/...uhitos-enthronement-ceremony-Tokyo-Japan.html
 
Was there a representative from the US in attendance?
 
Elaine Chao , USA Transportation Secretary represented the USA
 
Thanks for the links and updates!

As expected, the ceremony was serene and solemn. It was nice to see former Japanese Imperial Princesses attending the event.

None of the European royal ladies impressed me. Grand Duke Henry, King Felipe, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Sheikh Tamim, Prince Abdul Mateen, Crown Prince Haakon, and Crown Prince Frederik were much better dressed than spouses/ladies. So were representatives of Oman and Saudi Arabia
 
Last edited:
Mrs. Mitch McConnell also known as Elaine Chao represented the USA.
Mitch McConnell is the USA Speaker of the House.
 
Thank you to those who included links & information about the festivities. To my (western) eye it all seems very dignified.
 
:previous: It is nice to see the genuine warmth between Empress Masako and Queen Maxima.

It was also good to see that proper protocol was upheld. I.e. Frederik bowed and Mary curtsied. - Even if Empress Masako, to me, indicated, that really wasn't necessary.

I do hope we will begin to see a lot more of Empress Masako. - Now that she is very difficult to boss around, being the Empress... ;)
 
Ista said:
No, he's not. That would be Nancy Pelosi.
Click to expand...

You're right. Nancy Pelosi is the Speaker of the House.

Mitch is the Senate Majority Leader. I should know that.:lol:at myself.
 
Last edited:
Muhler said:
:previous: It is nice to see the genuine warmth between Empress Masako and Queen Maxima.

It was also good to see that proper protocol was upheld. I.e. Frederik bowed and Mary curtsied. - Even if Empress Masako, to me, indicated, that really wasn't necessary.
Click to expand...


Mary of course is much taller than Masako, so she had to go really low to curtsy. I suppose Masako was sympathetic to her friend's effort. Fortunately, Mary is super fit, which is also reflected in her slim and youthful figure (for her age).
 
Last edited:
I have a few questions regarding protocol and some remarks about some guests obviously refusing dress code:
1. Why did the CP and CPcss of Denmark - and the Prince of Wales (although I think they make an exception for him as longest serving heir...) - sit in row 1 during the enthronement, while the royal couples of the Netherlands and Belgium were seated in a second row (even the GD of Luxembourg, an HRH, sat in row 1).

2. Why did CP Haakon arrive AFTER Mary and Frederik as Queen Margrethe ascended the throne almost 20 years previous Haakons parents! The order of protocol normally dictates that the higher the rank (and date of accession does matter for protocol as far as arriving, leaving and seating is concerned!), the later you arrive.
The same happened at the receiving line before the banquet: Frederik and Mary shook hands with the imperial couple before Haakon.

3. Did the Sultan of Brunei and his son arrive too late for the ceremony? It was well under way when their seats still were not occupied...!

4. Did I miss something or has the imperial couple vanish away in their "throne tents" (don´t know the accurate word, but you know what I mean) before all the guests arrived because I did not see them entering it, only leaving?!

To those criticising the royal robes I can only say, just look at some gowns of republican female politicians or first ladies - awful and hilarious....!
OK, the CPcss of Sweden´s evening gown was a bit dull and boring, but for the actual ceremony she looked elegant. CPss Mary looked spectacular, especially for the banquet (she could have chosen a more exquisite tiara, just like Victoria!). The Queen of the Belgians looked sooo elegant for both occasions. The Queen of the Netherlands was fine for the enthronement and OK for the banquet.
I wondered why some other republican representatives (and even african Royalty) obviously skipped the dress code! I mean, what is so bad to choose for a once in a lifetime event like this a long dress?! And what is so hard to borrow a proper white tie suit? There was a wild mixture of everything: Daytime suits, tuxedos, national costume (which of course is absolutely allowed and 1000 times better than a suit...), religious habits, white tie and even a "Hawaii shirt"....!

At some time I sat in front of my telly and could only gasp for air or shake my head...

Some didn´t bring their orders (like the CP of Jordan) although they have ones and it was required! Some, male and female, looked as going for a business meeting, one lady liked to dress herself as a man.
 
Last edited:
Wartenberg7

I’m just responding to your first question. I think there were different sections. There was a Head of States section and all the monarchs sat in that section. Then there was a royalty that were not heads of state section. Charles as the longest serving heir and Frederik as the second longest serving heir were seated at the front of that section. This is just my surmise.
 
wartenberg7 said:
And what is so hard to borrow a proper white tie suit? There was a wild mixture of everything: Daytime suits, tuxedos, national costume (which of course is absolutely allowed and 1000 times better than a suit...), religious habits, white tie and even a "Hawaii shirt"....!
Click to expand...


Some presidents were on the contrary actually "overdressed" , I think.


For example, president Bolsonaro of Brazil, from the picture I saw in the DM, wore correct white tie attire and was (also correctly IMHO) wearing the grand collar of the order of the Southern Cross (now an order of the Brazilian republic, but actually founded by Emperor Pedro I). Oddly, however, in addition to the grand collar of the order, he was wearing his presidential band (which is worn at the president's inauguration) as a sash.



As far as "religious habits" are concerned, if you are referring specifically to the Vatican representative, its is correct for him to wear a habit at a formal event. I don't know, however, if he was wearing the right one. Duc et Pair, who seems to be knowledgeable about those matters, once posted an explanation of the dress code for cardinals and the Pope at white tie events and commented on how the current Pope has been ignoring or relaxing those rules. Maybe he can comment again on that.
 
Last edited:
carrief said:
Wartenberg7

I’m just responding to your first question. I think there were different sections. There was a Head of States section and all the monarchs sat in that section. Then there was a royalty that were not heads of state section. Charles as the longest serving heir and Frederik as the second longest serving heir were seated at the front of that section. This is just my surmise.
Click to expand...

But the receiving line was mysterious, too. Carl Gustaf succeeded to throne ages before Kings of Tonga and Swaziland and still was welcomed before them by the imp. couple....!

Mbruno said:
Some presidents were on the contrary actually "overdressed" , I think.

As far as "religious habits" are concerned, if you are referring specifically to the Vatican representative, its is correct for him to wear a habit at a formal event. I don't know, however, if he was wearing the right one. Duc et Pair, who seems to be knowledgeable about those matters, once posted an explanation of the dress code for cardinals and the Pope at white tie events and commented on how the current Pope has been ignoring or relaxing those rules. Maybe he can comment again on that.
Click to expand...


I didn´t see one single person "overdressed". Most of them were dressed properly, some terribly underdressed....!

I didn´t mean religious clothes were wrong; I just stated that some put them on (headscarfs, too).

I know there was a Thai representation, but was there someone from the royal family in Tokio, too?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Perhaps the dress code was unclear? Or it was different depending on the background of the person invited? I noticed that Annemijn Crince le Roy-van Munster van Heuven, lady-in-waiting of Queen Máxima, was wearing a skirt just over the knees and not a long gown like the Queen. I have never seen this before as the ladies-in-waiting always dress in a simular way to the Queen.
 
carrief said:
Wartenberg7

I’m just responding to your first question. I think there were different sections. There was a Head of States section and all the monarchs sat in that section. Then there was a royalty that were not heads of state section. Charles as the longest serving heir and Frederik as the second longest serving heir were seated at the front of that section. This is just my surmise.
Click to expand...

Maybe, but in the "monarchs' section" Felipe and Letizia were seated in the front whereas Willem-Alexander/Maxima and Philippe/Mathilde were in the back. And of those three the King of Spain is the shortest reigning monarch.
 
Last edited:
polyesco said:
A cute video from today from the tea party.
Masako sharing a laugh with both Maxima and Mary.
Its very nice to see the warmness, Masako looks happy
https://www.bunte.de/royals/royals-...hflashs-beim-treffen-mit-maxima-und-mary.html
Click to expand...
Thank you for this!

The new Empress looks so happy.
I remember years ago when the then Prince and Princess of Oranje hosted the then Crown Princely couple in the Netherlands after a rather difficult time for the then Princess Masako. I thought that was a lovely gesture from W-A and Máxima.
 
ricarda said:
Maybe, but in the "monarchs' section" Felipe and Letizia were seated in the front whereas Willem-Alexander/Maxima and Philippe/Mathilde were in the back. And of those three the King of Spain is the shortest reigning monarch.
Click to expand...

This is nothing more than me taking a wild guess. Is it possible that protocol in Japan has something to do with when the first treaties were signed with the various countries? Spain was sometime in the 1500s where as the Netherlands was in the 1850s. I was just trying to come up with something that could be used instead of length of reign or time in office.
 
Empress Masako's parents Hisashi and Yumiko Owada arrive for the enthronement

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EHlQ9sSUcAAgVVX.jpg

Princesses Mako, Kako, Nobuko, Akiko and Yoko with Philippine President Duterte's daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio, Mayor of Davao City at the Gagaku performance before the banquet

https://twitter.com/x/status/1186929533582053381
https://twitter.com/x/status/1186776705551065088

I took blurry screenshots of Princess Tsuguko at the banquet. She seemed to be a fun dinner partner.
https://twitter.com/x/status/1186932818552610816

Screenshots of Crown Princess Kiko and Princesses Akiko and Nobuko at the banquet
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EHjRlTXUUAAS81w.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EHjR5zuU4AI8w09.jpg

Back view of Empress Masako's junihitoe
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EHjBzVJUwAEBmdE.jpg

Guests at the court banquet received bonbonnière (candy box)
https://www.asahicom.jp/articles/images/AS20191022002740_comm.jpg

Banquet food
https://img.kyodonews.net/english/public/images/posts/7973d9d81dc05ea136a88e190699f284/photo_l.jpg

"Washoku" delicacies served at banquet after emperor's ceremony - Kyodo News
[...] The menu for the around 450 guests including foreign dignitaries in the palace's Homei-Den state banquet hall features grilled young seabream, salt steamed abalone, and a soup of Japanese spiny lobster and "matsutake" mushrooms.

"We want our guests to enjoy Japanese delicacies from mountains and the sea," a senior official of the Imperial Household Agency said before the banquet, broadly in the style of the 1990 court banquets to mark the enthronement of Emperor Akihito [...]

In consideration of guests from diverse backgrounds, halal dishes have been prepared for Muslim guests, and the chefs have substituted soy milk skin for beef in a dish for vegetarians.
Click to expand...

Japan empress recovering, performs key official duties with emperor - Kyodo News
Since the enthronement of Emperor Naruhito in May, Empress Masako has performed important official duties with her husband, even as she has suffered from an adjustment disorder for nearly 16 years and found it hard to fulfill duties on many occasions.

[...]

"The recovery of the empress' health condition has supported the couple's favorable performances," a senior official of the Imperial Household Agency said.

[...]

While there had been times she had difficulty accompanying her husband to conduct official duties outside Tokyo, she has joined him on numerous occasions for the past few years.

"From around last year when the emperor was preparing for the enthronement, we could tell her strong determination that she will become the empress in her facial expression," another official at the agency said.

[...]

Next year, they are scheduled to make the first visit to a foreign country following the enthronement and attend the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics in summer.
Click to expand...

Japan's Emperor Naruhito hosts tea party for foreign royals - The Mainichi

Many many videos!

Sankei's version of the Enthronement from the other side of the room. There are closeups of the Hitachi, Mikasa, and Takamado families and the Imperial couple walking around the thrones.
Welcome for tea party on October 23
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUpSQoCklLg
34-minute TBS video of the banquet arrivals, greeting, dinner, and Gagaku performance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DsCIAcynxo
An hour long video of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako greeting all banquet guests
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w2s_hbTj0Wg
 
Last edited:
Wow this has been an amazing two days of events to watch :flowers:

The outfits, the traditions, the ceremonies are all amazing to witness. I am a huge history buff, and I love countries where such traditions are still so alive to watch like this.
 
 
Last edited:
Official translation of the new Emperor's speech from the throne (did it emulate his father's?)

https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/page/okotoba/detailEn/60


Address by His Majesty at the Sokuirei-Seiden-no-gi (Ceremony of the Enthronement of His Majesty the Emperor) at the Seiden (State Hall) , October 22, 1st Year of Reiwa (2019)

Having previously succeeded to the Imperial Throne in accordance with the Constitution of Japan and the Special Measures Law on the Imperial House Law. I now perform the Ceremony of Enthronement at the Seiden State Hall and proclaim my enthronement to those at home and abroad.

I deeply reflect anew that for more than 30 years on the Throne, His Majesty the Emperor Emeritus constantly prayed for the happiness of the people and world peace, always sharing in the joys and sorrows of the people, and showing compassion through his own bearing. I pledge hereby that I shall act according to the Constitution and fulfill my responsibility as the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people of Japan, while always wishing for the happiness of the people and the peace of the world, turning my thoughts to the people and standing by them.

I sincerely hope that our country, through our people’s wisdom and unceasing efforts, achieves further development and contributes to the friendship and peace of the international community and the welfare and prosperity of humankind.​


Prisma said:
Princesses Mako, Kako, Nobuko, Akiko and Yoko with Philippine President Duterte's daughter Sara Duterte-Carpio, Mayor of Davao City at the Gagaku performance before the banquet

https://twitter.com/x/status/1186929533582053381
https://twitter.com/x/status/1186776705551065088
Click to expand...

It must have been a thrilling experience especially for the more junior royals to mingle with high dignitaries from almost 200 nations.

Banquet food
https://img.kyodonews.net/english/public/images/posts/7973d9d81dc05ea136a88e190699f284/photo_l.jpg

"Washoku" delicacies served at banquet after emperor's ceremony - Kyodo News

[...] The menu for the around 450 guests including foreign dignitaries in the palace's Homei-Den state banquet hall features grilled young seabream, salt steamed abalone, and a soup of Japanese spiny lobster and "matsutake" mushrooms.

"We want our guests to enjoy Japanese delicacies from mountains and the sea," a senior official of the Imperial Household Agency said before the banquet, broadly in the style of the 1990 court banquets to mark the enthronement of Emperor Akihito [...]

In consideration of guests from diverse backgrounds, halal dishes have been prepared for Muslim guests, and the chefs have substituted soy milk skin for beef in a dish for vegetarians.
Click to expand...

HereditaryPrincess said:
I don't know if this has been posted yet so forgive me if it has, but Noblesse & Royautes has an article about the menu from the banquet if anyone's interested:

Menu du banquet d’intronisation de l’empereur Naruhito – Noblesse & Royautés
Click to expand...

Very lovely arrangement of the dishes. I'm pleased that they kept to showcasing traditional Japanese cuisine.
 
Last edited:
It is moving to watch Masako being so happy. And more moving to watch the Emperor radiant looking at her happiness.
 
The 2nd court banquet was held on October 25th. Guests included members of government, former Imperial family, Japan Academy, Japan Academy of Arts, Nobel Prize laureates, and representatives from various fields.

Early photos: AP Images

https://www.sankei.com/images/news/191025/lif1910250025-p1.jpg
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EHsuP8XVAAIwh6h.jpg

Empress Masako's parents Hisashi and Yumiko Owada attended.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EHsuP8cUEAA1aqV.jpg

2nd banquet food
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EHsuP8cUYAAX0r5.jpg

"Kyoen-no-gi" court banquet schedule [Sankei]

October 22: 7:20-10:50pm
October 25: 12-12:40pm
October 29: 3-3:50pm (buffet style)
October 31: 3-3:50pm (buffet style)
 
Last edited:
Was Princess Aiko really prevented from attending her own parents enthronment only because she was just 2 months under 18? She could have attended only the enthronement and the tea party - but not at all is rather odd....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom