Imperial Family of Japan Current Events Part 3: May 2017 -

[Tatiana Maria]

Coronavirus measures for New Year's Lectures (January 12) and New Year's Poetry Reading (January 15)

New Year's Lectures: reduced invited guests from 54 to 18, face masks, and social distancing

New Year's Poetry Reading: reduced invited guests from 101 to 5, face masks, social distancing, poetry readers will wear face shields, and acrylic plates will be installed

Source: Sankei

Under normal circumstances, who would the 54/101 invitees be comprised of? The expected collection of government and court officials and perhaps leading figures from the academic and cultural worlds?

 

[Prisma]

Under normal circumstances, who would the 54/101 invitees be comprised of? The expected collection of government and court officials and perhaps leading figures from the academic and cultural worlds?

Yes, you're correct.

Ceremony of the Kousho Hajime (Imperial New Year's Lectures)

... the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and members of the Japan Academy and the Japan Art Academy are also in attendance.

Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime (Imperial New Year's Poetry Reading)

... other audience members include the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, members of the Japan Academy of Art and the members of the public whose poems have been chosen.

 

[Prisma]

2021 New Year family photos and video were taken separately due to the pandemic. According to the Imperial Household Agency, photos for new year have been released as much as possible since 1953 but this is the first time for separate content.

Emperor Naruhito's family: December 21 at Akasaka Imperial residence
Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita: December 2 at Takanawa Imperial residence
Crown Prince Akishino's family: December 5 at Akasaka East residence

The items featured in Emperor Naruhito's family photos are crafts of zodiac animals. 2021's zodiac sign is the Ox. The red cow "Akabeko" is folk craft from Fukushima's Aizu region and a popular charm against illness. The pair of wooden figurines represent his grandparents' zodiac signs: Emperor Showa, Ox and Empress Kojun, Rabbit.

Sources: Jiji, fnn.jp

Photos: Asahi, Sankei

ETA: Emperor Naruhito's 2021 New Year video was released at 5:30am JST and (surprise!) Empress Masako speaks briefly at ~6:06. This video message replaces the New Year written message and January 2 general public greeting which was cancelled due to the pandemic. The message was recorded on December 28 at Akasaka Imperial residence with sufficient measures to allow Their Majesties to be unmasked.

Photos: Asahi, Mainichi

Transcript (Google translation)

Japan's Emperor issues New Year's video message | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

... The Emperor said that humanity has overcome infectious diseases and natural disasters in the past with unity and patience.

He expressed hope that people will support each other and move forward in these difficult times...

Japan Emperor Naruhito thanks medical staff battling virus pandemic - Kyodo News

Japanese Emperor Naruhito thanked medical staff involved in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic in his New Year video address broadcast Friday, bringing attention to the burden frontline health care workers are bearing as infections surge in major centers.

The emperor set a hopeful tone in his first video message since ascending the Chrysanthemum Throne [...]

The 60-year-old emperor, delivered the address while seated beside the empress, 57, expressing gratitude to those who have been working "day and night" to "save many patients' lives," as well as condolences to people who have lost family and friends to the virus in Japan and across the world.

"Our daily lives have been greatly affected by this infectious disease," he said. "We are especially concerned for those who are struggling in difficult situations they have found themselves in, such as having lost their jobs or homes, or who are feeling lonely."

[...]

In the message, the emperor also referred to the torrential rain in western Japan last July, expressing solidarity with those who lost family members and homes.

"We pray that this year will be as peaceful as possible for everyone," the empress added.

[...]

 

[Prisma]

2021 New Year receptions

No tiaras. The Imperial women refrained from wearing tiaras in consideration for the people's struggles amid the pandemic.

Shortened agenda for January 1

AP Images, Asahi gallery

 

[Countessmeout]

It seems my assumption about tiaras on the fashion thread was right.

It makes sense. While its important to continue tradition and ceremony as much as possible, with all safety precautions taken, it needs to be paired down. There are a lot of people suffering financially as well as medically and mentally, flaunting wealth in the form of grand tiaras is not right time for it.

Happy to see the ceremony even in this form. In a year with so many changes and missed events, nice to ring in 2021 with something customary.

 

[Prisma]

Emperor delivers 1st video message to rally people’s hopes in crisis : The Asahi Shimbun

[...]

Naruhito was joined by Empress Masako in the message that lasted six minutes and 45 seconds.

The imperial couple first wished everyone viewing the video message a happy new year.

Reflecting on events of the past year, Naruhito said, “I am concerned about everyone who has been placed in a difficult situation for various reasons.”

He expressed “deep respect and gratitude” to all health care professionals working on the front lines to treat COVID-19 patients.

He also expressed confidence that “the day will definitely come in the not-too-distant future when everyone can live with peace of mind while also holding firm hope about their futures.”

Naruhito added that he offered a deep felt prayer that “everyone will move forward while helping and supporting each other while holding feelings of kindness toward each other.”

Masako said, “I offer my heartfelt prayer that this year will be one in which everyone can find some tranquility.”

[...]

Imperial Household Agency officials said the imperial couple decided for themselves what they wanted to say in the message.

[...]

 

[Prisma]

Diplomats tweeted the lunch boxes they received for attending New Year receptions. Rice cakes, fish cake, black soybeans, citrus rice, sea bream, dried sardines, burdock root, etc.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1344881188905709569

https://twitter.com/x/status/1344941505241178113

https://twitter.com/x/status/1344958907962150912

TV Tokyo published a 22-minute video of the 2021 New Year receptions. Ambassadors from 120 countries and regions attended.

 

[Prisma]

On January 7th, the Imperial family attended ceremonies at the Imperial Palace Sanctuaries on the anniversary of Emperor Showa's death. Princess Mako was dispatched to worship at Emperor Showa's mausoleum at Musashi Imperial Graveyard in Hachioji, Tokyo.

Photos focused on Mako: Asahi, AP Images, Getty Images

 

[Prisma]

New Year Lectures and Poetry Reading, scheduled for January 12 and 15, will be postponed due to the increasing Covid-19 infections. The Imperial Household Agency aim to reschedule the events by end of March while checking the infection situation. New Year Lectures and Poetry Reading were cancelled in 1989 when Emperor Showa died and postponed in 1953 when Prince Chichibu died.

Tokyo metropolitan area and adjacent Kanagawa, Chiba, and Saitama prefectures are under a state of emergency January 8 to February 7.

Sources: Yomiuri, Sankei

 

[Prisma]

Japan imperial spring garden party canceled again over coronavirus concern - Kyodo News

The imperial garden party planned for this spring has been canceled again to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, the Imperial Household Agency said Monday, the second year the event has been called off because of the pandemic.

The biannual parties, also held in the fall, have been canceled five times in a row. Garden parties were not held in 2019 as they clashed with Emperor Naruhito's enthronement rites. [...]

 

[Prisma]

The Imperial Household Agency announced new dates for New Year Lectures (March 23) and Poetry Reading (March 26) which were postponed due to increasing coronavirus infections in January.

Besides masking, installing acrylic plates for poetry reading, and reducing the number of attendees, a monitor may be added for poetry winners from rural areas to attend online.

Source: Jiji

 

[Prisma]

On March 23rd, the Imperial family attended New Year's Lectures (Ceremony of the Kousho Hajime) which was postponed from January due to increasing coronavirus infections. They listened to 3 experts for nearly an hour at the Imperial Palace. [NHK]

Professor Emeritus Takashi Ibi of Seikei University evaluated Rai San'yo, historian of the Edo period, regarding historical philosophy in San'yo's 22-scroll work "Nihon Gaishi"

Makoto Iokibe, chairman of the University of Hyogo, discussed "New Encounters in the United States, China, and Japan."

2016 Nobel Prize laureate in Physiology or Medicine, Professor Yoshinori Ohsumi of Tokyo Institute of Technology lectured on the "Mechanism of Cell Recycling."

Photos: Asahi, AP Images

 

[Prisma]

FNN uploaded the full video for New Year's Lectures (Ceremony of the Kousho Hajime). Mostly focused on the Emperor, Empress and lecturers.

Close ups of Akishino family at 9:55 and 24:37; Mikasa and Takamado princesses at 14:48

Screenshots

 

[Prisma]

On March 26th, the Imperial family attended New Year's Poetry Reading (Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime) which was postponed from January due to increasing coronavirus infections. This year's theme is "zitsu" (fruit)

Photos: Asahi, Getty Images, NHK

Mikasa and Takamado princesses
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ExbOMO5VIAMuZrN.jpg

Themes and Waka Poems by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress and Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince Akishino and Princess Akishino for the 2021 New Year's Poetry Reading - Imperial Household Agency (PDF)

Imperial couple yearn for end of pandemic in postponed poem ceremony - Kyodo News

[...]

The couple's poems, as well as works composed by other members of the imperial family and 10 pieces chosen from 13,657 entries submitted by the public, were recited in the traditional style at the reading ceremony.

One of the 10 chosen poets attended the event online from Fukui Prefecture in central Japan.

Waka poetry was developed by the court aristocracy in the sixth century. A "tanka" poem, which is typically synonymous with waka, consists of 31 syllables in a pattern of 5-7-5-7-7.

The theme for next year's New Year poetry reading is "mado," meaning "window," the agency said.

New Year's Imperial Poetry Reading Event Held after Delay | Nippon.com

[...]

As part of efforts to prevent coronavirus infections, poems were read out by people wearing face shields, with acrylic boards placed in front of them.

In their poems, the Emperor and the Empress expressed hopes for the pandemic to be contained.

Yasuyo Sugisaki, a 77-year-old resident of Obama, Fukui Prefecture, central Japan, whose poem was among the 10 pieces selected from 13,657 written by commoners, attended the ceremony online via a monitor.

 

[Prisma]

TV Tokyo uploaded full video of 2021 New Year's Poetry Reading (Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime)

Timestamps:
2:32 Imperial family enters and event opens
17:12 Akishino family
24:20 Akishino family
29:55 Mikasa and Takamado princesses
34:30 Akishino family
54:54 Princess Hisako's poem
58:45 Crown Princess Kiko's poem
1:02:40 Crown Prince Akishino's poem
1:08:50 Empress Masako's poem
1:17:33 Emperor Naruhito's poem
1:27:56 event closes and Imperial family leaves
1:32:06 press conference with poetry winners from the general public

Screenshots:

 

[Prinsara]

Are you sure the theme isn't "jitsu" (truth)? That's what I thought the news clip said.

No poem from Princess Aiko?

 

[Prisma]

Hmm... Kyodo used "jitsu" for fruit whereas the Imperial Household Agency PDF translated "zitsu" for fruit. English Asahi offers "mi" for fruit. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Princess Aiko is not an adult yet although she's most likely practiced writing waka poems for school and in preparation for next year when her poem will be published going forward.

The IHA Japanese site uploaded the Imperial family's poems (PDF). Not all poems are read at the ceremony. Poetry from the emperor, empress, crown prince couple, and ~10 general public winners are read. Princess Nobuko's poem was read last year whereas Princess Takamado's poem was read this year.

 

[Prinsara]

Did the news get the same idea I did? Fruit would be "kajitsu", but you need another character... If you read it as "mi", apparently it's fruit, but I don't think most people seeing that character and hearing "jitsu" would think "fruit".

...But my Japanese is not good enough to get poetical.

 

[Prisma]

On June 1st, 6 of 7 Imperial family members aged 65+ received the first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Some discrepancy about Princess Yuriko getting the vaccine. One report says she won't be vaccinated while another indicates the decision is still pending.

Japan’s elderly Imperial family members get vaccinated - The Japan News

[...]

According to officials, the vaccines will be given to those who wish to receive them, after consulting with their doctors. The oldest family member, Princess Yuriko, 97, will not be inoculated.

Prince Hitachi, the 85-year-old younger brother of the Emperor Emeritus, and his wife Hanako, 80, entered the Hospital of the Imperial Household in the Imperial Palace in Tokyo at around 10 a.m. on Tuesday. At around 11 a.m., Princess Nobuko, 66, followed suit.

It is believed that many of the eligible members were inoculated within the day so doses would not be wasted.

[...]

Japan's former emperor, empress get COVID-19 vaccinations - Kyodo News

[...]

The former emperor, 87, and former empress, 86, were given the shots at their residence, the Sento Imperial Palace, as the country's inoculation program targeting people aged 65 and older was launched in April.

Prince Hitachi, 85, the younger brother of former Emperor Akihito, his wife Princess Hanako, 80, Princess Nobuko, 66, widow of the late Prince Tomohito of Mikasa, and Princess Hisako, 67, widow of the late Prince Takamado were inoculated at the Imperial Household Hospital on the grounds of the Imperial Palace, the sources said.

The 97-year-old Princess Yuriko, the oldest member of the country's imperial family and widow of the late Prince Mikasa, is also eligible but whether she will receive the shot will be decided by taking into account her wishes, according to the sources.

[...]

Photos:
Prince & Princess Hitachi, Princess Nobuko: Asahi
Princess Hisako: AP Images

ETA: More articles

Akihito, Michiko among 6 royal family members who get jabs : The Asahi Shimbun

[...] Only Princess Yuriko, 97, the widow of Prince Mikasa, has not received the vaccination yet.

Unlike members of the general public, imperial family members do not register their addresses with municipal governments, and as such they would not receive vaccination vouchers from them.

The Imperial Household Agency had said in the past that it would coordinate with the health ministry and the Tokyo metropolitan government to secure vaccines and that, “We will follow the government’s policy and conduct vaccinations for them based on their wishes.”

Elderly Members of Japan's Imperial Family Get Vaccinated | Nippon.com

 

[Tatiana Maria]

I wonder what the holdup is with regard to Princess Yuriko.

Is there criticism of the speed with which vaccines have been made accessible to the royals? I realize other senior citizens over 65 are also eligible for vaccination in principle, but it seems that only a small sliver of the eligible population have actually received the opportunity until now.

 

[Prisma]

On June 16th, the Imperial family attended ceremonies at the Imperial Palace Sanctuaries on the 21st anniversary of Empress Kojun's death. Princess Mako represented the family at a ceremony at Empress Kojun's mausoleum at Musashi Imperial Graveyard in Hachioji, Tokyo.

Mako photos: AP Images, Getty Images

Screenshots from TBS

 

[Prisma]

On June 22nd, Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko received the 2nd dose of a COVID-19 vaccine at their temporary residence. Prince and Princess Hitachi, Princess Nobuko and Princess Hisako received the 2nd dose at the Imperial Household hospital.

Princess Yuriko has not been vaccinated.

Source: NHK

 

[Prisma]

TBS/JNN video shows Prince and Princess Hitachi, Princess Nobuko and Princess Hisako entering the Imperial Palace for their 2nd Covid vaccines on June 22.

Screenshots:

 

[Prisma]

On June 30th, Emperor Naruhito attended "Yoori," a semi-annual purification ceremony at the Imperial Palace. Later, Princess Mako attended "Ooharai," a ceremony to purify the people of Japan as represented by the Imperial Family in front of Shinkaden.

Video: news24.jp

List of main ritual ceremonies of the Imperial Palace - Imperial Household Agency

 

[Prisma]

On July 30th, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako and Imperial family members attended a ceremony at the Koreiden on the anniversary of Emperor Meiji's death.

Princess Akiko of Mikasa attended a ceremony at Emperor Meiji's mausoleum in Kyoto, per Asahi schedule 7/26-8/1

 

[Prisma]

On August 20th, the Imperial Household Agency announced the autumn garden party is canceled due to the pandemic.

The last garden party was autumn 2018. So far, no garden parties have been held in the Reiwa era due to conflicts with enthronement events (2019) or the pandemic (2020-2021).

Source: Sankei

 

[iceflower]

The Korei-sai autumn ceremonies to honour past emperors and members of the Imperial Family took place today, September 23:


** gettyimages gallery ** tt.se gallery **

 

[Prisma]

more photos and video of Autumn Equinox Festival on September 23

Jiji reports Empress Masako did not attend in consideration of her physical condition.

Asahi gallery includes Crown Princess Kiko

Twitter video shows Princess Tsuguko and Princess Hisako entering the Imperial Palace to attend the Autumn Equinox Festival at 0:33 for 2 seconds.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1440875443876347909

Blurry news24.jp screenshots of Princess Yohko, Princess Hisako, and Princess Tsuguko arrivals

Mako attends last formal ceremony as an imperial family member : The Asahi Shimbun

Princess Mako attended what likely was her last formal event as a member of the imperial family on Sept. 23 when she took part in an annual ceremony held on the Autumn equinox.

[...]

The ceremony was also attended by Emperor Naruhito and other family members to pay homage to ancestors and express their appreciation to deities.

[...]

On Sept. 23, Mako and her younger sister, Princess Kako, were driven from their parents' Akasaka Estate residence to the Imperial Palace. Mako bowed to bystanders waiting outside the Tokyo residence. This is the first time since July 2020 that Mako has left the Akasaka Estate to take part in a scheduled event announced beforehand. [...]

 

[Prisma]

On October 17th, the Imperial family visited the Three Palace Sanctuaries for Kanname-sai ritual.

List of main ritual ceremonies of the Imperial Palace - The Imperial Household Agency

October 17
Kanname-sai
In this ceremony held at Kashikodokoro, new crops are offered to the gods as thanks. In the morning, His Majesty the Emperor offers prayers of worship to Ise Shrine at the Shinkaden.

Photos: Asahi, AP Images

Princess Mako attends last ritual before marriage | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News

... A rite in which newly harvested rice was offered to the deities took place at the Kashikodokoro sanctuary.

Emperor Naruhito and Crown Prince and Princess Akishino attended along with other Imperial family members.

Princess Mako Attends Final Ritual as Imperial Family Member | Nippon.com

Japanese Princess Mako attended a ritual held at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Sunday, her final opportunity to take part in such an event as a member of the Imperial Family.

[...]

Empress Masako was absent in light of her health condition.

[...] Princess Mako, who was wearing a face mask, waved to people gathering near the palace to see her. A woman told Princess Mako, "I wish you happiness."

 

[Prisma]

The Imperial Household Agency is considering canceling the 2022 New Year General Public Greetings on January 2 to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Source: news24.jp

I anticipate another scaled-down New Year Receptions and no tiaras.