On April 9, 2024, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko, former Emperor Akihito and former Empress Michiko visited the Meiji Shrine (Meiji Jingu) in Shibuya on the occasion of the 110th anniversary of the death of Empress Shoken, wife of Emperor Meiji. The Meiji Jingu was established in 1920 to honor Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.
Empress Shoken (9 May 1849 - 9 April 1914), who adopted the imperial given name Haruko in 1867 and was posthumously honoured as Empress Dowager Shoken, was the wife of Emperor Meiji of Japan. Empress Shoken was one of the founders of the Japanese Red Cross Society, whose charity work was known throughout the First Sino-Japanese War.
So nice to see the former Empress Michiko in her characteristic cape and hat. Former Emperor looks so tiny. What a pity it had to be on a day with torrential rain.
ReplyDeleteWould have loved to have stood to the side (under shelter!) and observed the formalities. I love the fact that Japan holds on to many traditions (including fashion) instead of capitulating to the one global trendset. The world gets very boring when we follow the one fashion (or other) set of trends! Particularly interested in the shoes of the man in picture 5; does anyone know about his role or costume at such a ceremony? (Grace)
ReplyDeleteThis man is a Shinto priest, a Shinshoku. His traditional footwear is called "Asagutsu". The layers of his robes all have specific meanings.
DeleteIf I understand you correctly the Japanese trend is boring too because they are also following their own trend year after year. And what about the other countries who always dress in their own style : the countries of South-East Asia, the Arab world, etc... ?
DeleteI've been there! A very lovely area of Japan! The rain makes it look much more difficult to navigate the areas, especially for the former Emperor Akihito and former Empress Michiko.
ReplyDeleteEdwina
There is still snow on the roofs. It must be cold.
ReplyDeleteI like former Empress Michiko's short cape. It looks better than the outfits of Empress Masako and Crown Princess Kiko.
I think when you zoom in that snow is actually rainwater that's collected and is shining on the tiles. Nonetheless, it certainly isn't a sunny spring day!
DeleteNot snow. Chrry blossom petals are falling.
DeleteI know many people find the Imperial Family's dresscodes boring, but I do think there is a certain elegance in its unity when you see them as a whole in a ceremony.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it's evidence that you can have floor-length daywear that actually looks like daywear and not repurposed eveningwear, which is something I think some events like Prinsjesdag sometimes fall afoul of.
Les codes vestimentaires ont été respectés par la famille impériale pour cette cérémonie dont la même couleur des tenues jusque dans celle du parapluie de Masako !
ReplyDeleteIs Empress Masako wearing pants? She looks lovely. I am a fan of the traditional dess of the Imperial Family, a bit of modernizing would be nice, but I accept their dedication to tradition and admire the beautifully tailored clothes.
ReplyDeleteHow lovely to see the former Empress and former Emperor again. Everyone looks lovely and the setting is quite beautiful too.
ReplyDeleteT
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