On November 10, 2025, Princess Aiko of Japan visited the mausoleums of Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun, her great-grandparents, at the Musashi Imperial Mausoleum complex in Hachioji, western Tokyo, to pay her respects ahead of her first official overseas visit to Laos next week. Princess Aiko made a "tamagushi" ritual offering and prayed at each mausoleum.
Princess Aiko, Princess Aiko, the only child of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, will depart for Vientiane on November 17 to meet Laotian President Thongloun Sisoulith and attend events marking the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Laos. She is scheduled to return to Japan on November 22.
ReplyDeleteQuel merveilleux profil - Dès la première photo, j'ai eu un léger moment d'hésitation en croyant voir sa cousine Kako ; elle a beaucoup d'allure dans cette tenue avec cette coiffe de cérémonie sur ses cheveux relevés - J'attends de la voir au cours de son voyage au Laos ; nous aurons certainement de belles photos !
Merci d'avoir dit qu'elle allait faire une tournée au Laos. Je n'étais pas au courant. Oui, ce sera sympa de suivre son voyage là-bas.
Delete- Anon 9:13
My oh my, the original poster is touchy. lol. I see ghosts, goblins, unicorns and whatnot on her hat, do you see it to?
DeleteIt might not correspond to my personal taste (well why should it), but this ensemble is really, really masterfully designed and executed. The triangle of the cape mirrors the triangle of the skirt. And look at that soft middle fold of the cape at the back, as she climbs the stairs, that cannot be pure coincidence. Or look at the fourth photo, though she is moving, those two perfect triangles are undisturbed and make the whole silhouette look like a Japanese painting, with perfect lines. For me, this is beautiful. I am irritated only by her fringe, always looking greasy , what it quite sure isn't, yes, I know, it is just fashion.
ReplyDeleteNot sure what you think you are visualizing, it's a beautiful garment that flows well, nothing more, nothing less, no hidden triangles.
Delete@Anon16:05, I don't "visualize" and there is nothing hidden there. I feel free to communicate what I see and what you are not obliged to see the same way at all. So if you cannot enjoy other views, then just be tolerant and acknowledge that we are (thank God! :-) created different.
Delete12:44 I loved your description of how you see the outfit. Made me look again! Not sure why 16:05 tried to squash the beauty of your description.
DeleteExcellent description and comment.
DeleteNice and perfectly written @anon at 12:44.
DeleteOh my! P.Aiko looks very elegant here. I know that it is a sombre event/visit and fashion isn't the important thing here but I just had to say it.The capelet jacket looks so good on her, and I love the shape and style of her hat. If I had to change anything, it would be those two large buttons on the collar. Something smaller, or some embroidery, perhaps.
ReplyDelete- Anon 9:13
Agree @Anon 9:13. She looks very elegant in that beautifully tailored outfit. I didn't even notice the two buttons until you said it. I believe it would also look good with pearl buttons and a pearl brooch. Now the buttons and the brooch are faiding into the colour.
DeleteOh, doesn’t she look amazing! I love everything about this. I’m sure there are aspects of the ensemble that relate directly to the nature of the occasion, which to Western eyes may give it a “costume-y” look — and what a beautiful and graceful “costume” it is. Well done Aiko.
ReplyDeleteThe outfit makes me think of a governess of the 19th century. Of course she has to wear this for the ceremony and the clothes are tailored very well. What I do not understand, on the one hand they are wearing outfits which were worn in the Western world during the 50s and early 60s. On the other hand this grey ensemble looks like a dress and cape worn in the 19th century. They really picked up certain styles and made them their own, which they aren't. Their own style are the kimono's. For every ceremony another one. Apparently they are not easy to put on and it takes a long time before they are completely dressed. In that case I can understand they look for styles which correspond with what they like. I think I also saw Empress Michiko with similar ensembles to this one in the past.
ReplyDeleteI think only a Japanese expert on the ceremonial gowns of the Imperial Court would be able to provide the exact background details of this ensemble, all other conclusions are guesswork.
Delete🌞 Virginia
14:57 I hope you have the chance to come visit Japan some time and see our culture for yourself.
DeleteIt very much reminds me of the outfits worn by Shinto priests. Those come in several different solid colors, one of which is a grey almost the same as HIH Aiko’s clothing here.
DeleteThank you Anon 22:33 for your polite comment. It is indeed very sad, how, with all the highly praised "multiculturalism" in Europe (not really much more than a label), most people judge other people solely based on their own limited view of the world. I mean, that this view is limited, for most of us, is quite understandable, but we should be conscious that this is the case and hold back slightly (or strongly) negative and belittling comments.
Delete@Anon 14:57 "Their own style are the kimono's. They really picked up certain styles and made them their own, which they aren't." So we have a little colonialist among us who truly believes in the superiority of what she thinks her own culture - and so much admired by others that they can't help but borrow from it ... unbelievable.
DeleteA truly elegant look and a beautiful young lady who wears it well.
ReplyDeleteJust wow, tailoring perfection. She looks so elegant and poised.
ReplyDeleteTraditional for the imperial family. This outfit looks elegant and well styled for the Pss.
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I love the jacket. You could actually work that in with "modern" clothes.
ReplyDeleteI must say, I went down the rabbit hole looking up her great grand parents - especially Empress Kojun. Wow! Talk about a "Diva" in the not so nice meaning of the word. I've added some Japanese Imperial history to my readins list.
Oh wow! she looks sensational. What a masterful, beautifully crafted ensemble. The color is sublime. Stunningly elegant.
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