On January 1, 2026, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan hosted a New Year reception at the Matsu-no-Ma State Room of the Imperial Palace to receive New Year’s greetings from members of the Imperial Family and heads of government. Princess Aiko, Crown Prince Akishino, Crown Princess Kiko, Princess Kako, Prince Hisahito, and other members of the Japanese Imperial Family attended the reception.
Princess Akiko, Princess Yoko, Princess Hisako, and Princess Tsuguko also attended the reception. Prince Hisahito, the eldest son of Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, who came of age last year, attended the ceremony for the first time.
Very Scripted/Robotic! the oufits, the walk, all the same
ReplyDeleteRobots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DeleteThey have a time honoured tradition, everything does not have to be modern. Perhaps when the emeritus are no longer around traditions may change. The Brits have their traditional capes and plumage hats, no one complains.
DeleteFormal events often follow tradition and protocol. What may seem scripted is usually respect for those customs.
DeleteWhat a wonderful sense for cultural differences, @anon10:14 and not one tiny speck of shamefulness because of submitting something so enormously stupid. I would change to the other side of the street to avoid meeting someone having views like this. How good this here is only virtual.
DeleteIf you are wise, dear commenters, you would think “ah this is another distinct culture, let me learn about it”, rather than assuming your culture is the one through which all others should be viewed. Japan is a country where respect is very important, and traditions are long held. Go learn there and then re-view these scenes, and approach with respect and enjoyment. Meanwhile, I think calling the Japanese royals robots will offend the kindly Japanese who also read this blog and these comments; and yours are not a kind set of comments for them to read.
DeleteHave a bit of a read about the Japanese traditions and culture and learn. It’s particularly important in Japan to be respectful so that also applies to our comments about the Japanese royal family.
DeletePrince Hisahito is so dignified
ReplyDeleteDoes anyone of you know something about the tiaras and jewells of the japanese royal family? Are they old? Do they have a history like some of the jewells of european royals? Thanks and a happy new year!
ReplyDelete明けましておめでとうございます。
Delete日本の皇室の第一礼装が洋装に変わったときにティアラやアクセサリーが作られました。今から１４０年前のことです。
The Empress's tiaras has been passed down from generation to generation, starting with the Empress of Emperor Meiji.
DeleteHowever, its history is said to be around 130 years old.
Before that, there was no culture of wearing tiaras in Japan.
Des images vues assez souvent ; j’aimerais bien un peu de changement !
ReplyDelete私は伝統を守る皇室行事を見て安心し、誇りを感じます。
Delete多くの日本人は自国の伝統を大切にし、それを守り続けることに価値を感じています。
日本の家庭でのお正月祝いも同様で、毎年同じことが出来る喜びと満足を家族で共有しているのです。
Beautiful response 1:03. Tradition is a wonderful and stabilising cultural imperative so absent from many modern cultures.
Delete紀子妃は頻繁に衣装を誂えます。
ReplyDeleteしかし皇后陛下や他の皇族たちは、慎ましく何度も同じドレスを着ているのです。
新年の行事で、それぞれの皇族方の意識の違いを私は感じました。
Arigato! And sorry for the rude commenters above who do not show respect nor understanding about the importance of tradition in your country.
Delete...uffah
ReplyDeleteI do not understand this repeated comment. Please use words to describe your thoughts.
DeleteIt would be really very very nice and very very fitting for these times (21st century), if this family could present themselve in a very very more modern way in the media...without crowns/diadems...and PLEASE let the “children” develop their own style!!!
ReplyDeleteThe Japanese Imperial Family represents continuity and tradition. Their role isn’t to follow trends, but to preserve cultural symbols that go back centuries.
DeleteThe younger members do have personal styles in private life, but public appearances are guided by protocol to protect them and maintain dignity.
Why should a culture who treasures tradition present themselves in a “modern” way and have you considered that their modern can look different from what is modern in your culture?! I for one LOVE that different countries can have different fashion and that we can learn from it … not become one lump of people with only one taste! I really hope that Japan holds onto their culture and their version of style or the works will be very boring and much poorer.,
Delete** the world ( not : the works)
DeleteAlways the same. And Kako is the winner as always. Because of her blue dress...
ReplyDeleteIndeed! That’s the point! The tradition! Love it.
DeleteVery lovely everyone but one Pss in pale standard clothing. Lovely Tiaras.
ReplyDeletecss
The Empress looks beautiful, I do love this gown, the sleeves and form fitting shape, really suits her beautifully. Princess Kako, looks stunning. The pale blue gown, with embroidery on the bodice and capped sleeves looks gorgeous, adding interest to an otherwise plain gown. Her diamond necklace fits snug and perfectly, beautiful presentation by the Princess.
ReplyDeleteVery regal family in their attire and stance. However, Princess Kako always stands out beautifully. Notice her hair is pulled to the side with no bangs - a marked improvement and the color is lovely against her complexion. Personally, I think the diamond necklaces along with the tiaras and broaches are overkill. I get the broaches and tiaras. But how about leaving the necklaces at home. But the Brits are guilty of loading up their jewels too. More is not always better, it's just more!!!
ReplyDeleteこの素敵なサイトに集まる方々は、日本の皇室文化と日本人について興味を持って下さっているようですね。
ReplyDelete互いが「自分とは違う世界」を興味深く見つめ、対話が生まれ、より深く理解し合うことを私は期待しています。
ヘレンさん、今年もよろしくお願いします。
Arigato, 13:32. We may have to slowly teach those who view all fashion through their own culture the benefit of opening their eyes to other cultures!
Delete@ 06:48 & 07:33
ReplyDeleteEverybody is talking about tradition here, but the Japanese princesses, queens and empresses are wearing copies of what was modern among European royal (and other) ladies during the 50s and early 60s. Their tradition and culture is the kimono. It is our culture what we used to wear 75 to 60 years ago that they are wearing now. Contemporary Western clothes worn today are based on styles we wore in the past too. The wide pants, the wider jackets, the midi skirts are all fashion styles we used to wear in the 80s. In the late 60s until the 2nd half of the 70s it was the mini dress and mini skirt accompanied by shoes and sandals with block heels, the same shoe style which is fashion now. In fashion everything is coming back always, with different details to give the impression it is something new.
The Japanese royals do present themselves in a "modern" style. Modern is a word that is becoming very old now. After the industrial revolution the modern times have started in history. In fashion women started to dress more "modern" after the First World War. After the second World War the French Haute Couture with Dior started with creations which are again brought in fashion during the last 3 or 4 years and what our contemporary royal ladies still like to wear today.
When the Japanese ladies are wearing their kimono, they are wearing tradition. What they are wearing when they have to be dressed formally are in fact copies of what was fashion in Western Europe years ago and has nothing to do with their traditions or culture.
日本の皇族の洋装は140年前に西洋の模倣から始まりました。
Deleteそして日本の価値観に合わせて再構築し、今では皇室の伝統として定着しています。
女性皇族が洋装で持つ扇はその典型で、当時の西洋文化として取り入れましたが、現代では日本独自の服飾文化となっています。
しかし面白いことに、そもそも扇は日本が起源の道具で、それを西洋が模倣したのです。
愛子さまの首から肩にかけての丸みを帯びたラインに注目してください。
ReplyDelete日本では、この肩のラインは着物が似合う体型の典型とされています。
愛子さまのドレスの袖口は、美しい肩の線を引き立てるデザインになっていますね。
I like these dresses, the exquisite workmanship, fabric, pale colours. The jewelry is fabulous. I like that respect is a huge part of their culture. Respect in wearing clothes that is not revealing. Perhaps if Aiko wore blush on her cheeks it would brighten her pretty face.
ReplyDeleteIt is a pity that we cannot understand the comments in Japanese, perhaps they could help to understand the formality and protocol of this ceremony. I assume that the jewellery worn here belongs to the crown, i.e. to the people, very often gifts, and must be displayed during such ceremonies. There were similar ignorant remarks here regarding the jewellery worn by the Danish court recently and a reader offered very logical and historical reasons for each piece.
ReplyDelete🌞Virginia
Highlight the text, right click and use your browser’s translate function. If that doesn’t work copy/paste to a translator eg google translate. She always writes interesting things and is worth reading every time!
DeleteWhy is the one young woman dressed in a different color? Seems like she is butting tradition. If anyone, Akia should have worn a different colored gown. She is so very lovely.
ReplyDeleteJe suis toujours étonnée de voir le nombre important de Princesses et l'absence totale de Prince à part le Prince Héritier.
ReplyDeletePost a Comment