On Tuesday, May 13, 2025 (Reiwa 7), the Red Cross Society’s Honorary President, Empress Masako, along with the Society’s Honorary Vice Presidents—Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Hitachi, Princess Tomohito of Mikasa, and Princess Takamado—attended the 2025 National Red Cross Convention held at the Meiji Jingu Kaikan in Shibuya Ward.
The annual convention brings together members of the Japanese Red Cross Society from across the country, along with representatives of its volunteer groups. Empress Masako, serving as the Society’s Honorary President, presented Medals of Merit to ten individuals and representatives of three organizations in recognition of their longstanding support and volunteer contributions to the JRC.
I really admire the Empress,she’s a woman of substance. Her enigmatic smile is beautiful. I love that her work uniform is a skirt suit,which works perfectly for her. I like the detail of navy trim to give the outfit some dimension,without it would look quite flat. She is a standout in her choice today.
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I like the selection of ice cream colours in the various suits and hats but it’s difficult to find positives in the rather frumpy suits and shoes. Great first photo where the Princess in the cream coloured suit is having a good laugh at something
ReplyDelete@AnnieM … the positives are seen through the culture and traditions, respect and reverence. They are not setting out to follow the current globalised fashion trends. In so so many ways, that’s a very good thing! - Mary
DeleteBig yes to what @Mary wrote. It is quite a good exercise to try and let go of the prejudices born out of being remote-controlled by the fashion industry. "Frumpy" is not really different from what we ourselves wore some years ago.
DeleteDespite the "Too long" suit skirt, Empress Masako looks stunning. She has lovely complexion. Love the black piping that matches the tip of her shoes. Interesting to see the older ladies wearing lilac and pale yellow have shorter skirts and what a favorable difference that makes. I wouldn't be a very good diplomat or royal's wife. If the outfit wasn't flattering, forget tradition, I would not wear it without altering it for my size. having said that, there is nothing more beautiful than a kimono. One more note, the Empress' posture looks a little stooped in a couple photos - not sure if she was starting to bow.
ReplyDeleteVery nice and elegant. I like the contrast on the white suit from Empress Masako. A little color from the other Imperial ladies. Normally the color of their suits is as expected, the color that is.
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Well...here we have a variety of 5 different hat styles.
ReplyDeleteMy 2 favourite are the cream one worn by P.Hitachi, and the lilac one worn by P. Takamado. I think E.Masako would have looked wonderful if she had worn a white (or black) hat in either of those two styles. Either would have complimented her lovely white suit perfectly.
As always, P. Takamado looks fantastic in her lilac suit. The shorter skirt length is perfect and the fit of her jacket and her pearls are beautiful together.
- Anon 9:13
The skirt is a bit on the long side, but wow! she looks incredibly beautiful. What a great outfit. Stunning, perfectly attired and so elegant.
ReplyDeleteDe l'élégance chez ces dames même si mes préférées sont l'impératrice très distinguée en blanc avec une touche de bleu-marine ainsi que la princesse Takamado dans la couleur lilas ; toujours chic, j'aime la longueur de sa jupe mais il est dommage de ne pas mieux voir ses chaussures qui me semblent être dans un style légèrement différent que les autres dames impériales ?!
ReplyDelete愛子様はこの日、日本赤十字社の職員として裏方の仕事をなさったそうです。
ReplyDeleteKonichiwa, our Japanese commenter. I always appreciate your views and insight! Arigato. - Mary
DeleteMaryさん、こんにちは。
Delete便利な機械のおかげで言葉の壁がなくなりましたね。
こうして世界中の同じ興味を持つ皆さんと楽しくお話しできるのはうれしいことです。
E. Masako's dress is very fresh and nice but her shoes look too big, like "Minnie mouse". In pic. 3 the older Royal ladies have beautiful dresses which have a good length and also their shoes are more modern.
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Delete写真の右から２番目の信子さまは、お若い頃から美しい靴をお使いになることで知られています。
@Anon 15:08: nice to read it from you, because when I was looking at their shoes previously, I noticed that Princess Nobuko's shoes are definitely different from those worn by the other ladies (and she is the only one whose shoes are different). So there seems to be a certain freedom within the restrictions that the Imperial Court poses on outfits.
DeleteOMG, the shoes. :( I know all the reasons why, etc. But, .... :(
ReplyDeleteThe look like fight attendants from the 1960s ... and that's not meant as a compliment.
ReplyDeleteEvery time I see Princess Takamado, I have the feeling that she is a discreet sartorial rebel, she always respects the strict dress protocol, but somehow she often manages to give her outfits a certain cheeky twist, here we see dark shoes and a fairly short skirt and other perky details, interesting, she makes me smile.
ReplyDelete🌞 Virginia
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