Proclamation of Crown Prince: April 2020

[Muhler]

The sword is a standard Katana like this:
https://pics.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/coldsteel/images/88Ka.jpg

More correctly perhaps named a Daito.
Such swords are typically 80-100 cm long.

This one distinguish itself from its beautiful engravings and ornamented hilt and scabbard that also contains lots of symbolism.
Such a beautifully crafted sword, would via the symbols and not least how at was crafted (i.e. in respect of and in accordance with Shinto rites and how "clean" and "pure" the smith and also the sharpener was in body and mind while making the sword) would come to possess a spirit on its own.

There is basically a lot religion and a good deal of what we would label "magic" going into the process, so no wonder master-swords were (and indeed still are) worshiped.
Such perfection obligates! You need to strive towards purity in mind and soul and deed to be worthy of possessing such a sword. If you do not and you are unworthy in spirit the sword will fail you.

All that in accordance with the Bushido Code.

 

[Prisma]

More photos and videos.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1325355003670720512

As Supreme Priestess at Ise Jingu in Mie Prefecture, Sayako Kuroda attended ceremonies related to the Rikkoshino-Rei.

Asahi photos

https://twitter.com/x/status/1325322388217622528

https://twitter.com/x/status/1325338015103774721

https://twitter.com/x/status/1325322548356116481

Carriage ride to the Three Palace Sanctuaries
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7-mQztjAOI
Worshipping and reporting the Rikkoshi-Senmei-no-gi ceremony was completed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntTDoVT1XLw
Choken-no-Gi (First audience ceremony). The Crown Prince couple were gifted fabric.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrFMGvSCU5E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVcGB2VjfFc
ETA: Crown Prince couple leave the Imperial Palace after 5pm. They visited Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko following Rikkoshi-no-Rei rites.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0TDn6kiuao

 

[Prisma]

The 8 dishes at the Choken-no-Gi are purely ceremonial and follows 1991's Rittashi-no-Rei menu. The food's not eaten. [Sankei]

sea urchin kamaboko
salted yellowtail
grilled duck
salted shrimp
boiled bamboo shoots
大飯（たいはん) translated as Ōi (tai-han)
rolled carp soup
sea bream fin soup

https://www.sankei.com/images/news/201108/lif2011080055-p1.jpg

SankeiNews has a different angle and a few closeups of the Imperial family

Asahi uploaded longer video of the Three Palace Sanctuaries ritual. The Imperial princesses and other attendees pay respects at the end.

Choken-no-Gi ceremony from The Page. Less captions and no commentary.

 

[Prisma]

Translations of Rikkoshi-Senmei-no-gi statements

Emperor Naruhito: "Today, I hereby perform the Rikkoshi-Senmei-no-gi, Ceremony for Proclamation of Crown Prince, in accordance with the Imperial Household Law, and proclaim to those at home and abroad that Prince Akishino is Crown Prince."

Crown Prince Akishino: "I am filled with the deepest awe and gratitude at being proclaimed the Imperial Heir, Crown Prince, at this Ceremony for Proclamation of Crown Prince. I will discharge my duties solemnly bearing in mind my responsibilities as Crown Prince."

Translations of Choken-no-Gi statements

Emperor Naruhito: "It gives me great joy that the Rikkoshi-Senmei-no-gi, Ceremony for Proclamation of Crown Prince was performed today. It is my hope that you will meet the expectations of the people and successfully fulfill the duties as Crown Prince, fully drawing on what you have cultivated."

Crown Prince Akishino: "I am filled with the deepest awe and gratitude at having been proclaimed the Imperial Heir, Crown Prince, today at the Ceremony for Proclamation of Crown Prince. I will continue to discharge my duties to the best of my ability now that I have been proclaimed the Imperial Heir, Crown Prince. I wish here to express most respectfully my humblest gratitude."

Empress Masako: "I am delighted that the ceremony today has been performed smoothly. I hope that you will continue to fulfill your duties in good health."

Crown Prince Akishino: "I am truly grateful to have been graciously granted by His Majesty The Emperor the great honour of being proclaimed the Imperial Heir, Crown Prince, today at the Ceremony for Proclamation of Crown Prince. I wish here to express most respectfully my humblest gratitude."

https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/page/okotoba/listsEn/2
https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/page/okotoba/listsEn/3

The Imperial family gathered at the Imperial Palace on November 10 for greetings and luncheon to celebrate Rikkoshi-no-Rei. 23 attendees included former royals and relatives at the celebration in the Take-no-ma room. Prince and Princess Hitachi delivered the congratulatory message. The minors, Princess Aiko and Prince Hisahito, gave their greetings at Akasaka East residence in the evening. [Jiji]

AP Images, Getty Images

This tweet shows the arrival of the Hitachi couple, Mikasa princesses (including 97-year-old Yuriko), and the Kuroda couple.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1326034918917378049

Notably absent was Princess Hisako who visited Nara and Kyoto Prefectures November 9-10 for the 72nd Shosoin exhibition. This online article speculates at a rift since the celebratory event and greetings are important and the exhibition ran October 24 - November 9 so Hisako could have gone earlier. Princess Tsuguko is scheduled to represent the Takamado family but the article claims she might not participate.

The Akishino family can't catch a break. Another online article makes the following claims:
- Crown Prince Akishino was grumpy before the ceremony whereas Crown Princess Kiko was thrilled to finally complete the ritual and solidify her husband's place as Imperial heir.
- Kiko wanted Prince Hisahito to participate but had to settle for showing him at the send off.
- Kiko was upset Tsuguko's burgundy dress was too close to Kako's red dress at the Rikkoshi-Senmei-no-gi. Kiko believes the other members should give special consideration to the Akishino family and called on her aides to reprimand the Takamado family. Allegedly, she has raised similar issues before when Kiko and Nobuko wore similar blue dresses to a feast and similarity to Empress Masako's dress. (I'm not sure I believe this because Mako and Masako both wore pink/peach at Emperor Naruhito's 60th birthday so shouldn't Mako consider what the empress is wearing?)
- former IHA staff Kouchi Seiichi (a pseudonym) says there are no clear rules on clothing and it's common to have similar colors and dress styles.

 

[Prisma]

Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko will visit Mie, Nara, and Kyoto Prefectures in late April to complete events related to "Rikkoshi no Rei" which were postponed due to the pandemic. The couple will visit Ise Jingu (Mie), Emperor Jimmu's mausoleum (Nara), and Emperor Meiji's mausoleum (Kyoto) on the 4-day, 3-night trip.

Planning began after Japan lifted coronavirus restrictions on March 21 but the visit may be postponed again depending on the infection situation.

Sources: Jiji, Mainichi

Crown Prince, Crown Princess May Visit Ise Jingu in April | Nippon.com

Arrangements are underway for Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko to go to Mie, Nara and Kyoto prefectures in late April to visit Ise Jingu, a major Shinto shrine, and elsewhere, sources said Thursday.

[...]

It will be the first time since the coronavirus spread across Japan for Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko to visit areas other than Tokyo.

During the trip for three nights and four days, the couple is expected to visit Ise Jingu in Mie, central Japan, the mausoleum of Emperor Jinmu, Japan’s mythical first Emperor, in the western prefecture of Nara and the mausoleum of Emperor Meiji, the great-great-grandfather of Crown Prince Akishino, in Kyoto, also western Japan.

[...]

 

[Prisma]

On March 25th, the IHA announced more details for the April 20-23 visit including the unusual decision for the Crown Prince couple to travel mostly by car to avoid crowds gathering at rail stations/roads. They will take PCR tests before leaving.

Schedule
4/20: drive ~6 hours to Ise, Mie
4/21: Ise Jingu
4/22: mausoleums of Emperor Jimmu (Nara), Emperor Kōmei & Emperor Meiji (Kyoto)
4/23: fly back to Tokyo from Osaka airport

This is the Crown Prince couple's first regional trip since January 2020.

Sources: Sankei, Jiji

 

[Prisma]

Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko will visit the mausoleums of Emperor Showa and Emperor Taisho on April 26 which will conclude the "Rikkoshi no Rei" rituals.

Source: Jiji

On April 20th, the Crown Prince couple departed Akasaka Estate after 8:30am to perform "Rikkoshi no Rei" rituals in 3 prefectures. They will travel mostly by car to avoid crowds at rail stations and streets, only flying back to Tokyo. 6 drivers will rotate during the ~800km journey.

Source: NHK, https://txbiz.tv-tokyo.co.jp/hiru/news/post_250136

Arrival at the Ise Jingu's Inner Shrine after 5pm: Sankei, AP Images, Getty

Chief Priestess Sayako Kuroda welcomed their arrival at the accommodations which is limited by custom to the emperor, empress, crown prince, and crown princess. It's the Akishino couple's first time staying at the residence.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1516374762305749002

Japan Crown Prince, Crown Princess Arrive at Ise Jingu | Nippon.com

[...]

Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko left their residence in Tokyo's Minato Ward by car earlier the same day. After traveling about eight and a half hours including breaks, they arrived at the Naiku inner area of the shrine at around 5 p.m. (8 a.m. GMT). Some 100 shrine staff bowed to greet the couple, who bowed back from their car.

The Crown Prince and Crown Princess then headed to the "Anzaisho," an accommodation facility for Imperial Family members, where they were greeted by Sayako Kuroda, the sister of the Emperor and the Crown Prince, who serves as a Ise Jingu priest.

 

[Prisma]

On April 21st, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko worshipped and reported the completion of "Rikkoshi no Rei" at the Geku and Naiku of Ise Jingu. They offered tamagushi. Chief Priestess Sayako Kuroda also attend.

Geku (outer shrine) enshrines Toyo'uke-no-Omikami, guardian of well-being, providing three essentials of human life: cloth, food and shelter.

Naiku (inner shrine) enshrines Amaterasu-Omikami, ancestral deity of the Imperial family, and the Mirror, one of the Imperial Regalia/Three Treasures of Japan.

By becoming Crown Prince/ss, the Akishino couple went to the front of the Mizugaki South Gate, which is deeper than the worship 4 years ago. They travel to Nara Prefecture afterwards. TV Tokyo reports the prince's slight tension approaching Geku, passing through the torii gates, to worship for the first time in a place where he could not enter until becoming Koshi.

Photos: AP Images, Getty

FNN gallery Geku
FNN gallery Naiku

Japan Crown Prince, Crown Princess Visit Ise Jingu | Nippon.com

Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko visited Ise Jingu, a major Shinto shrine in Mie Prefecture, central Japan, Thursday to report the completion of ceremonies that proclaimed the Crown Prince's rise to first in line to the throne.

[...]

Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko first visited the "Geku" outer area of the shrine, where "Toyouke-no-Omikami," the god of food, clothing and housing, is enshrined. The couple then advanced to the "Seiden" main hall, where they made "tamagushi" Shinto ritual offerings and gave prayers.

After that, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess visited the "Naiku" inner area of the shrine, where the mythical Imperial ancestor "Amaterasu-Omikami" is enshrined, to offer prayers in the same manner.

[...]

Crown Prince Fumihito reports proclamation to Ise Jingu shrine | The Asahi Shimbun

They traveled to Kashihara City, Nara Prefecture and arrived at a hotel in the afternoon.

 

[iceflower]

Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko visited the tomb of Emperor Koumei, the 121st Emperor of Japan Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto on April 22:



** gtresnews gallery ** tt.se gallery **

 

[Prisma]

Thanks! The Crown Prince couple visited several ancestral mausoleums on April 22 to worship and report the completion of Rikkoshi no Rei.

morning: Emperor Jinmu in Kashihara, Nara Prefecture
afternoon: Emperor Komei & Empress Eishō, Emperor Meiji & Empress Shoken in Kyoto

They will stay at Kyoto Ōmiya Palace for the first time and fly back to Tokyo tomorrow.
https://news.ntv.co.jp/category/society/0ed3598c72fd4e6a8579592ac4bc2b7a/

Photos: Asahi, Asahi2, AP Images, https://iseshima.keizai.biz/headline/3739/

Fumihito visits Emperor Jinmu’s tomb to report proclamation | The Asahi Shimbun

[...] This was their first visit to the tomb of Emperor Jinmu since April 2016.

After the visit, Fumihito and Kiko are scheduled to go to the tombs of Emperor Komei and Emperor Meiji, both in Kyoto Prefecture, according to the couple’s wishes.

Japan Crown Prince, Crown Princess Visit Emperor Jinmu’s Tomb | Nippon.com

Japan’s Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko visited the mausoleum of Emperor Jinmu, Japan’s mythical first Emperor, in Kashihara in the western Japan prefecture of Nara on Friday morning.

[...]

On Friday afternoon, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess moved to Kyoto Prefecture, which neighbors Nara as well, and visited the mausoleums of Emperor Komei and Emperor Meiji. They also visited the mausoleums of Empress Dowager Eisho and Empress Dowager Shoken, which are located next to the mausoleums of the two emperors.

Emperor Jinmu around 9:30am

Return to Daiwa Royal Hotel "The Kashihara" to change and leave for Kyoto around 10:15am

Emperor Komei & Empress Eishō after 1pm, Emperor Meiji & Empress Shoken after 3pm

 

[Prisma]

Chief Priestess Sayako Kuroda attended ceremonies when the Crown Prince couple visited Ise Jingu to finish "Rikkoshi no Rei" rites.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CcrRCZHLBGb/

What security is needed for Japan Crown Prince's 800-km car trip? - The Mainichi

[...]

On April 20, Day 1 of the journey, Crown Prince Akishino is traveling some 480 kilometers from his residence in Tokyo's Minato Ward to Ise Jingu shrine, taking breaks along the way. On Day 2, he will pay his respects at Ise Jingu and then move to a hotel in Kashihara, Nara Prefecture, traveling about 160 kilometers overall. On Day 3, he will visit the Mausoleum of Emperor Jinmu in Kashihara, and then travel about 80 kilometers to arrive in the city of Kyoto. On Day 4, he is scheduled to leave a hotel for Osaka International Airport, covering some 65 kilometers, before returning to Tokyo.

When Emperor Naruhito and Crown Prince Akishino travel around Japan, prefectural police departments at their destinations are responsible for their security. Local police forces take over whenever the Emperor or the Crown Prince crosses prefectural borders to ensure seamless security.

If His Majesty or His Imperial Highness is to take a Nozomi Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto, officers of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) accompany them from Tokyo Station until they switch with Kanagawa Prefectural Police officers at Shin-Yokohama Station. At Nagoya Station, Aichi Prefectural Police officers board the bullet train to accompany them to Kyoto Station. Once in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefectural Police, as a general rule, provide security to them. During all this time, Imperial Guard officers continue closely escorting the Emperor or the Crown Prince.

While it is less difficult for police officers to switch places when Imperial Household members travel by train, it's another story when they hit the road, as it raises the need for officers to switch in and out without interfering with the royal convoys.

"There is no issue if prefectural police forces of both jurisdictions are skilled at the task," said a person connected to security services. It is often the case that Imperial Household members travel by car from Tokyo to Kanagawa Prefecture, and normally MPD and Kanagawa Prefectural Police security vehicles switch roles on a highway near the prefectural boarder. It is a common sight for security vehicles to be switched between those of the MPD and police forces of neighboring prefectures without ever stopping the line of vehicles carrying Imperial Household members.

In the latest journey, officers from the Imperial Guard Headquarters, the MPD, as well as police departments of Kanagawa, Shizuoka, Aichi, Mie, Nara and Kyoto prefectures are joining the security efforts, taking turns every time Crown Prince Akishino crosses prefectural borders as a rule.

[...]

It is said that the greatest security risk is posed when the Imperial vehicle procession comes to a halt along the way.

[...]

When the Emperor and Empress travel by car, police make sure not to stop their convoy by turning traffic lights green along their way and taking other traffic control measures. Meanwhile, when Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko travel by car, no traffic regulations are implemented in principle out of concern for the potential impact on people's lives.

[...]

 

[iceflower]

Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko paid reverence at the tomb of Emperor Showa at Musashi Imperial Graveyard in Hochioji City, Tokyo on April 26:



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

 

[Prisma]

The Crown Prince couple visited the mausoleums of Emperor Showa, Emperor Taisho, Empress Teimei, and Empress Kojun on April 26.

They visited Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako in the afternoon, reporting all "Rikkoshi no Rei" events have been completed.

Photos: Sankei, Asahi

Following the completion of "Rikkoshi no Rei" events, the IHA dissolved the Tairei committee on April 27. The committee was established in October 2018 to oversee the abdication/succession events and met 11 times.
Source: Sankei

Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko visited Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Emerita Michiko on April 27 to report "Rikkoshi no Rei" was completed.
Source: https://news.tv-asahi.co.jp/news_society/articles/000252803.html

Local coverage of the Ise Jingu visit: https://iseshima.keizai.biz/headline/3739/

TV Tokyo's compilation of the Mie, Nara, and Kyoto trip.

Japan Crown Prince, Crown Princess Visit Emperor Showa's Mausoleum | Nippon.com