Imperial Family of Japan Picture Thread


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Princess Kikuko of Takamatsu and Prince Tomohito's family visit the Prince Takamatsu exhibition at Takashimaya Department Store on March 14, 1991
Getty Images


Members of the Imperial family attend a reception for Princess Setsuko of Chichibu's book on June 26, 1991
Getty Images


Crown Prince Naruhito, Prince Takamado and Princess Hisako attend a kabuki performance at the Kabukiza Theatre on April 2, 1991
Getty Images


CP Naruhito, Prince Takamado, and Princess Hisako attend a concert of Orquesta Sinfonica Simon Bolivar at the Orchard Hall on April 23, 1991
Getty Images


CP Naruhito, Prince Takamado, Princess Hisako and Masako's parents, Hisashi Owada and Yumiko (2 rows behind), attend a Jose Carreras recital at Suntory Hall on March 1, 1993
Getty Images


The CP couple and Prince and Princess Takamado attend a Metropolitan Opera performance on June 1, 1997.
Crown Prince Naruhito, Crown Princess Masako, Prince Takamado and... News Photo | Getty Images


CP Naruhito, CP Masako, and Prince Takamado and Princess Hisako attend a music concert marking the centenary of Japan-Argentina diplomatic relation at Suntory Hall on August 7, 1998
Getty Images
 
Oooh! The KIKUYOU Court Culture Institute is taking orders for the 2019 Imperial family wall and desktop calendars. Several are new photos: the Imperial couple taking a stroll, the Crown Prince couple on their 25th anniversary, and Akishino family in casual clothes.

http://www.kikuyou.or.jp/pdf/calender06.pdf

Hmm... how do I buy and do they ship overseas? There's no English version sadly.

ETA: http://www.kikuyou.or.jp/calender.html
 
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:previous: A better photo of Naruhito and Masako from Asahi. The labels under the images use new titles after May. Naruhito and Masako are"Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress"; Akishino family as "Crown Prince family."
2019 is labeled as "new era" or Heisei 31

https://www.asahicom.jp/articles/images/AS20180929001735_comm.jpg

After some research, I plan to buy the calendar and the translated Eight Female Emperors of Japan book via a proxy service. I'll scan the calendar and post a book review.
 
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Yuriko Takagi before her marriage to Prince Mikasa in 1941
https://digital.asahi.com/special/koushitsu/photo/40/images/13.jpg
https://digital.asahi.com/special/koushitsu/photo/51/images/07.jpg

Prince Mikasa and Princess Yuriko's traditional wedding robes in October 1941: sokutai and kouchiki. Their wedding was simpler as Japan was about to enter WWII.
Yuriko did not wear the many layered "jūnihitoe" or a golden hair ornament "hirabitai"

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D8RQbH_UcAEvm17.jpg
https://digital.asahi.com/special/koushitsu/photo/51/images/09.jpg
https://digital.asahi.com/special/koushitsu/photo/51/images/08.jpg

Western clothing photo and wedding reception with Takagi family:
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D8RQf7-UcAAaput.jpg
https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2016/10/27/20161027hpj00m040017000q/9.jpg

Yuriko's sisters-in-law wore jūnihitoe and hirabitai at their weddings in 1924, 1928 and 1930.

Empress Kojun (Nagako)
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D8RdfOcUEAIj_Am.jpg

Princess Chichibu (Setsuko)
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D8Rdj8eU0AYmMH3.jpg

Princess Takamatsu (Kikuko)
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D8RdmpXUcAAYO2F.jpg

Welcoming Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun at the coming-of-age reception for Princess Yasuko of Mikasa in 1964
https://digital.asahi.com/special/koushitsu/photo/40/images/33.jpg

Prince and Princess Mikasa (partially hidden) with Princess Alexandra of Kent at the Japan-British Association welcome reception in 1961
https://digital.asahi.com/special/koushitsu/photo/40/images/32.jpg

Prince and Princess Mikasa with their daughter Princess Yasuko in August 1965 after Yasuko's engagement announcement.
https://digital.asahi.com/special/koushitsu/photo/51/images/17.jpg

Princess Masako of Mikasa's engagement press conference in May 1983
https://digital.asahi.com/special/koushitsu/photo/51/images/21.jpg

Wedding receptions for Prince Takamado and Princess Hisako in December 1984
https://digital.asahi.com/special/koushitsu/photo/40/images/36.jpg
https://digital.asahi.com/special/koushitsu/photo/51/images/22.jpg

ETA: Hmm, it seems "hōkan" is generic for royal crown.

The instruments to create the golden ornament are called "kamiagegu" (objects to lift the hair):
- "hirakushi" a comb is pressed horizontally into the wig called "marukamoji"
- flat, pronged piece "hirabitai" is placed against the comb
- pins with flattened tops "hirakansaji” secure the "hirabitai" in the center
- pins with rounded tops "marukansaji” secure the ends of the "hirabitai"
- purple rope also holds the ornament in place

See http://www.costumemuseum.jp/french/collection/j_komono/jk111.html
 
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Those are wonderful photographs, and the information on the hair ornament is also extremely interesting.
 
Prisma said:
Imperial princes and princesses at Emperor Showa's enthronement in Kyoto, November 1928
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D-TXhugUEAEdX3J.jpg

Wedding of Princess Teru (Shigeko) and Prince Morihiro Higashikuni in 1943. Shigeko is Emperor Showa's eldest daughter.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D-USvIFUEAEfT24.png
Click to expand...

That first photo really highlights how much the Imperial family has shrunk in the last 91 years. For the upcoming enthronement the majority of the bodies in a similar photo would be spouses of Imperial family members, and unmarried daughters of deceased princes. It would be interesting to do a side by side comparison after the enthronement.
 
Princess Takako's 19th birthday photos, 1958: Getty Images

Princess Takako attends a press conference in February 1959 before her 20th birthday
https://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/n...conference-ahead-of-her-news-photo/1128388128

Princess Takako visits Western Japan in 1959: Getty Images

Princess Takako visits Tama Imperial Graveyard on February 22, 1960. Pretty headpiece.
https://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/n...a-imperial-graveyard-on-news-photo/1130400752

Princess Takako's activities in February 1960 prior to her wedding : shopping, visiting her sister Shigeko Higashikuni and her uncle and aunt, Prince and Princess Takamatsu: Getty Images

Princess Takako during a photo session on February 29, 1960 before her 21st birthday. She looks so lively!
https://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/n...to-session-prior-of-her-news-photo/1130400826

Princess Takako marries Hisanaga Shimazu on March 10, 1960: Getty Images

Takako Shimazu at a charity event on September 11, 1961 in Tokyo:
https://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/n...ror-hirohito-signs-at-a-news-photo/1210511841

Takako Shimazu gives birth to a boy in April 1962. Empress Nagako, Crown Prince Akihito, and Crown Princess Michiko visit her at Sanno Hospital: Getty Images

Hanako Tsugaru and her mother (?) visit Takako and Hisanaga Shimazu after the engagement announcement of Hanako and Prince Masahito (aka Prince Hitachi) on March 1, 1964.
https://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/n...shimazu-and-her-husband-news-photo/1203307915

Kazuko Takatsukasa, Takako Shimazu and Princess Yasuko of Mikasa at the Imperial Palace after receiving the Order of the Precious Crown on April 29, 1964. (Kazuko and Takako didn't already have it? :confused: Yasuko just turned 20...)
https://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/n...-and-princess-yasuko-of-news-photo/1207887266
 
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:previous:

I remember hearing that Takako very much had the "It Factor" for the media in her day, and it certainly shines through in those pictures.

Prisma said:
Kazuko Takatsukasa, Takako Shimazu and Princess Yasuko of Mikasa at the Imperial Palace after receiving the Order of the Precious Crown on April 29, 1964. (Kazuko and Takako didn't already have it? :confused: Yasuko just turned 20...)
https://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/n...-and-princess-yasuko-of-news-photo/1207887266
Click to expand...

And it would seem odd to me if they would be receiving an order after leaving the imperial family; or has that happened in the past?
 
Tatiana Maria said:
:previous:

I remember hearing that Takako very much had the "It Factor" for the media in her day, and it certainly shines through in those pictures.

And it would seem odd to me if they would be receiving an order after leaving the imperial family; or has that happened in the past?
Click to expand...
Agreed! Takako definitely had the "It Factor"

I tweeted the order photo and someone responded that the government stopped giving orders during the war (and probably the post-war recovery period). Maybe Princess Yasuko's recent 20th birthday in 1964 was a good opportunity to give orders to Kazuko and Takako as well.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1252508951486369792

Prince Nagahisa Kitashirakawa received the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Chrysanthemum posthumously and his wife Princess Sachiko was upgraded to the 1st class, Grand Cordon of the Order of the Precious Crown in May 1945. It makes sense some orders were still awarded. Giving orders to Imperial princesses would be lower priority.
 
Blurry photo of Imperial family members at the Takanawa residence (Prince and Princess Takamatsu's home) after New Year receptions. Either 1965 or 1966 since Princess Yasuko of Mikasa's in the photo and she attended twice before her marriage in December 1966.

Standing: Prince Mikasa, Princess Chichibu, Princess Takamatsu, Princess Mikasa, Princess Yasuko
Seated: Crown Prince Akihito, Crown Princess Michiko, Prince and Princess Hitachi, Prince Takamatsu

https://fujinkoron.ismcdn.jp/mwimgs/f/8/-/img_f87d9c8c530544e3cf58982c3746d991159042.jpg
 
Prisma said:
Blurry photo of Imperial family members at the Takanawa residence (Prince and Princess Takamatsu's home) after New Year receptions. Either 1965 or 1966 since Princess Yasuko of Mikasa's in the photo and she attended twice before her marriage in December 1966.

Standing: Prince Mikasa, Princess Chichibu, Princess Takamatsu, Princess Mikasa, Princess Yasuko
Seated: Crown Prince Akihito, Crown Princess Michiko, Prince and Princess Hitachi, Prince Takamatsu

https://fujinkoron.ismcdn.jp/mwimgs/f/8/-/img_f87d9c8c530544e3cf58982c3746d991159042.jpg
Click to expand...

How did Michiko get to be so gosh-darn elegant? :blink:
I mean always looking good within the draconian IHA dictates is no small feat, and has been internationally acknowledged, but still!

Has she been like this since birth, or did she work at it?
 
Sankei tag for a series tracing the life of Empress Teimei. Photos are accessible.

Empress Teimei with her 3 elder sons: Sankei

Prince and Princess Takamatsu on their wedding day for the audience ceremony, 4 February 1930: Sankei

Setsuko Matsudaira, during her engagement to Prince Chichibu, visited Empress Teimei in July 1928 at Aoyama Higashi Imperial Palace: Sankei

Prince and Princess Chichibu in Grindelwald, Switzerland while visiting Europe in 1937: Sankei

Prince and Princess Mikasa on their wedding day, October 22, 1941: Sankei

Former Imperial families visited Empress Teimei and attended a dinner party with Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun at Akasaka Palace (now State Guest House) on October 18, 1947: Sankei
They were removed from the Imperial registry 4 days earlier.
 
AFLO: Prince Mikasa, Princess Yuriko, and Princess Yasuko return from United States and Canada. Crown Prince Akihito, Princess Chichibu, and Prince and Princess Takamatsu welcome them home at Haneda Airport on October 4, 1965.

ALFO: Prince Mikasa, Princess Yuriko, and Princess Masako visit masterpieces of tea ceremony utensils on July 26, 1977

ALFO: Princess Yuriko, Prince Tomohito (although I think it's Prince Katsura), and Princess Masako visit the Millet exhibition on June 12, 1982

AFLO: Princess Yuriko, Yasuko Konoe, and Masako Sen visited the 2nd Eiseibunko Exhibition, Romance and Culture of the Warring States Generals... (I think 1980s, after Masako's marriage)

AFLO: Princess Yuriko welcomes Crown Prince Akihito and his family for a dinner celebrating the new Imperial branch Katsura-no-miya on February 20, 1988. Her 2nd son Prince Yoshihito of Mikasa received the title Prince Katsura in January.

Getty: Princess Kiko of Akishino, Prince and Princess Mikasa attend a 'Kyoen-no-Gi' banquet to celebrate Emperor Akihito's enthronement on November 15, 1990

Asahi gallery: Imperial family during high school
 
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Superfan Fumiko Shirataki (81) shared her recent photos with Asahi Aera Dot. Shirataki has been following the Imperial family for 29 years since Masako's debut as fiancée in January 1993. Opportunities have decreased due to her age, pandemic, and the Emperor's family move to the Imperial Palace. However Shirataki has chased 5 times this year so far, of which Masako-sama twice.

Shirataki's photos of New Years' Day, Lectures, Poetry, departure for Hayama Imperial Villa, Midori ceremony: https://dot.asahi.com/dot/2022041900050.html?page=1

University student Abe Kazuhiro-san 阿部満幹（あべ・かずひろ）さん became a royal follower/chaser on December 23, 2018 when he* visited the Imperial Palace for Emperor Akihito’s general public birthday greetings. Abe had recently turned 19 and decided to visit as it was the emperor’s last birthday of the Heisei era. He continued to attend royal events and met older royal chasers, eventually switching from smartphone to a single-lens reflex camera in 2020. Abe is more interested in the Emeritus couple, Michiko’s fashion, and their interactions. Abe has balanced remote classes and the new hobby for 3.5 years, capturing the retired couple’s rare outings.

Article with Abe's photos: https://dot.asahi.com/dot/2022042000014.html?page=1

*I think Kazuhiro is a masculine name... Google translation was a mix of his/her

Aera Dot's tag for the royal "chasing housewife" articles/photos: https://dot.asahi.com/keyword/追っかけ主婦/
 
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