On August 22, 2025, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan hosted a tea party at the Imperial Palace for the heads of state and their spouses attending the 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9). Initiated by the Government of Japan in 1993, TICAD has been co-hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, and the African Union Commission.Also in attendance were Crown Prince Fumihito, Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Aiko, Princess Kako, Princess Hanako of Hitachi, Princess Nobuko of Mikasa, Princess Akiko of Mikasa, Princess Yōko of Mikasa, and Princess Hisako of Takamado.
It's great to see some international fashion that is a departure from the usual western angle. The kimono on Empress Masako is very impressive. One can only imagine the workmanship that went into it's design and creation. This garment is one of kind and a piece of art. Both the front and back have what looks like some symbolic embellishments. The other Japanese & African outfits are also very interesting. It's nice to see these two very different cultures coming together.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully summarised Sandra.
DeleteGosh, what a wonderful display of national dress. First on the Japanese side, the variety of kimono are simply splendid. What strikes me most are the colours - they seem brighter (in general) and the colour mix gives a warm and welcoming vibe. I especially like Empress Masako's blue kimono, and Princess Aiko's hair. And it's always a pleasure to see Princess Hisako actively engaged with the participants. Also lovely to see all the Japanese royal ladies full of smiles compared to most other events when they seem more serious and austere.
ReplyDeleteThen on the side of their African guests, lovely to see such bright colours and interesting dresses and men's outfits. Unfortunately we can only see a few in the above photos but I'm sure there must have been many more, and I can well imagine the riot of festive colour that was present at this warm and friendly reception.
- Anon 9:13
Une belle palette de tenues tant japonaises qu'africaines !
ReplyDeleteSome beautiful kimonos here but what stood out to me was Pss Aiko's fabulous hairstyle! (V.M.)
ReplyDeleteMasako's kimono is the first one ever, that has not impressed me. The material appears more like a bathrobe, the embroidery is simply not to my taste, but again, the garment may look completely different than it appears in the photos.
ReplyDeleteMasako is lovely as ever!
Wow what an exquisite fashion show.
ReplyDeleteIt has been written and said by wise people in the period after the explosions in the Twin towers NY that a new world was coming up. The Asian and African (the east and the south) would gain importance and would become equal with the Western world wether we liked it or not. A proces that seems to develop more and more. A pity that the earth population still have to use the possibility of war instead of (economic a.o.) collaboration to reach this goal.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! And I love that the ladies seem to have color-coordinated their kimonos and shades of pastel. One isn't necessarily outshining another.
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