Celebrity NewsLatest News

Naruhito is Japan’s 126th emperor to proclaim enthronement in ancient ceremony

 

 

Japan’s Emperor Naruhito formally proclaimed his ascension to the throne in an elaborate ceremony on Tuesday. The centuries-old ceremony was attended by more than a hundred dignitaries from around the world.

Though the 59-year-old emperor officially began his reign on May 1 after the abdication of his father, the then-Emperor Akihito. Akihito was the first Japanese emperor to abdicate in 200 years, making way for the then-Crown Prince Naruhito and his wife Crown Princess Masako to ascend to the throne.

The formal ancient ceremony The Sokui no Rei – or the Ceremony of Accession, took place inside the imperial palace in Tokyo. The ceremony saw the emperor and empress in regal attire entering the Pine Chamber of the Imperial Palace, after a series of traditional rituals that took inside the imperial palace.

The deep purple curtains of Emperor’s canopy that was a  6.5-meter-tall throne were pulled apart to reveal him enrobed in an orange-brown garment, a black crown atop his head, as he announced his enthronement to the world.

Naruhito then proclaimed his enthronement before an audience of the imperial family, reading from the from a large piece of paper.
“I pledge hereby that I shall act according to the Constitution and fulfill my responsibility as the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people of Japan, while always wishing for the happiness of the people and the peace of the world, turning my thoughts to the people and standing by them,” Naruhito said.
“I sincerely hope that our country, through our people’s wisdom and unceasing efforts, achieves further development and contributes to the friendship and peace of the international community and the welfare and prosperity of humankind.”
TOKYO, JAPAN – OCTOBER 22: Japan’s Emperor Naruhito speaks as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is seen during a ceremony to proclaim his enthronement to the world, called Sokuirei-Seiden-no-gi, at the Imperial Palace on October 22, 2019, in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Issei Kato/ Pool/Getty Images)

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivered a congratulatory address, in response to the emperor’s speech, saying, “We, the people, look up to His Majesty the Emperor as the symbol of Japan and the unity of its people, and, with a renewed spirit, will put our best efforts into creating an era where new culture will flourish as a peaceful, hopeful and proud Japan realizes a bright future and the people come together in beautiful harmony.”

The PM speech was followed by shouts of “Banzai!” meaning “long live the emperor”, thrice.

The dress that the emperor wore to the ceremony was the imperial robe in a warm brown hue, the color which has been reserved in times past especially for the emperor. Emperor Naruhito sat on the takamikura canopied throne, which was decorated with lacquer and gold phoenixes and placed atop of square dais.

Empress Masako was also dressed in regal attire, wearing a colorful and multilayered kimono. Reportedly clothed in 12 layers of robes.  She sat on a smaller version of Emperor Naruhito’s throne.

Naruhito’s ascension embarks the start of the “Reiwa” era, as Japan’s every emperor’s reign is marked by their era name. The name for Naruhito’s era has been adapted from the 8th-century anthology of classic poetry and which means “beautiful harmony.”

By the passage of time, the role of the emperor in Japan has evolved through a significant change. Once the emperor was considered the living embodiment of gods, now becomes only a large symbolic figure.

Unlikely to previous Japanese monarchs, Naruhito is a symbol of the state rather than the head of state, and the Japanese emperor wields no political power.

The role of Japan’s emperor changed significantly ever since Naruhito’s grandfather, Emperor Hirohito, sat on the throne from 29 April 1901 to 7 January 1989.

On Friday, the Japanse government has announced that about 550,000 petty criminals will be pardoned to mark the emperor’s enthronement.

Reportedly, As Naruhito ascended the throne, boxes were placed next to him,  believed to contain a sword and ancient jewel that, according to legend, dates back to the mythical forefather of Japan’s first emperor, Jimmu, who ruled almost 2,700 years ago.

Along with a fabled octagonal mirror, they form Japan’s royal regalia, or the Three Sacred Treasures. The sword and the jewel are so sacred that these objects have been seen in public or by the public.

Here are a few selected photos from The Sokui no Rei – or the Ceremony of Accession:

Emperor Naruhito leaves at the end of the enthronement. ceremony.
Japan’s Empress Masako leaves at the end of the enthronement ceremony.

 

Princess Mako, the Emperor’s daughter, and only child, attends the enthronement ceremony.
Japanese dignitaries and government representatives raise their arms giving a banzai cheer during the enthronement ceremony.

This was Japan’s first enthronement ceremony in three decades to take place. Representatives from nearly 200 countries, including members of many royal families, were present to celebrate Emperor Naruhito’s accession to the Chrysanthemum Throne.

 

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark attend the Enthronement Ceremony of Emperor Naruhito.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, and the Emir of Qatar
Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf (far left) and his daughter Crown Princess Victoria (center).
To the left of King Carl Gustaf sat Brunei’s Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah

 

King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and Queen Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah of Malaysia arrive to attend the ceremony.

Saman Siddiqui

I am a freelance journalist, holding a Master’s Degree in Mass Communication and an MS in Peace and Conflict Studies, associated with the electronic media industry since 2006 in various capacities. Here at OyeYeah, I cover a range of genres, from journalism to fiction to fashion, including reviews, and fact findings. 

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button