1)Nōsai-no-gi
On April 12, Hiroo Kanno, Grant Master of the Crown Prince’s Household, visited the Owada’s home in Meguro Ward, Tokyo, to deliver the betrothal gifts. He presented Masako with five rolls of silk material for Western dresses, six bottles of sake, and two fresh sea bream, one male and one female.
2)Kokki-no-gi
The date of the imperial wedding became official on April 20, when Grand Chamberlain Satoru Yamamoto visited the Owada’s home as a messenger from the Emperor and Empress to inform Masako of the schedule.
3)Officially Engaged
Masako and her parents visit the Imperial Palace on January 19 after the Imperial Household Council had given the marriage its official approval.
4)Meeting the Press
The Crown Prince and Masako meet the press at Togu Palace on January 19. During the conference Masako confessed that the Crown Prince had won her heart by promising to take the best possible care of her.::Heart::
5)Imperial Education
Before the wedding, Masako received special tuition from experts for two months in such subjects as court rituals and ceremonies, the imperial system, Imperial Household customs, etiquette, Japanese poetry (waka), and the Constitution. In this photo she is being instructed in court rites by former ritualist Torahiko Nagazumi.
Wedding Ceremony
1)Leaving Home
Early in the morning of the wedding, Masako takes leave of her parents at the entrance of her home in Meguro Ward, Tokyo.
2)Kekkon-no-gi
The Crown Prince and Masako wore the traditional costumes dating from the Heian Period (794-1192) for their wedding ceremony at the Imperial Palace.
The crown Prince and Crown Princess exit from their wedding ceremony which took place in the Kashikodokoro, one of the three shrines of the Imperial Palace. The Kashikodokoro is dedicated to the Sun Goddess Amaterasu, the mythical ancestress of the Imperial Family. The Crown Prince wore a traditional costume (ōninohō) and carried a wooden scepter for the occasion, while the Crown Princess was attired in a ceremonial robe (jūnihitoe) worn by the court ladies. After paying their respects in the Kashikodokoro, the Crown Prince read out a pledge and the couple sipped nuptial cups of sake. The Crown Prince and Crown Princess then worshipped and reported their marriage at the other two shrines—the Koreiden (enshrining the spirits of the successive emperors) and the Shinden (dedicated to all the gods and goddesses of the Shinto pantheon).
3)Chōken-no-gi
The Crown Prince and Crown Princess reported their marriage to the Emperor and Empress who, in accordance with tradition, did not attend the wedding ceremony. The Emperor and Empress then gave their blessing to the newlyweds and joined them in a toast to cement the new family relationship.
4)Heading for Home
Following the wedding ceremony and chōken-no-gi, the newlyweds leave the Imperial Palace for the start of a 4.25-kilometer parade to their residence in Akasaka.
5)Imperial Motorcade
From a car travelling at 10km/hr, the couple wave to enthusiastically cheering crowd lining the route to Akasaka.
Does anyone know if there are videos or even pictures of the crown prince's marriage to Masako? There doesn't seem to be any on youtube and i can't find any on the net, does anyone know a site which has videos or pictures of the wedding?
... I think that she is always great.
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