123rd year | no. 42,916 ISSN 0289-1956 © THE JAPAN TIMES, LTD., 2019 Emperor’s Enthronement TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2019 Traditional styles adapt to changing times New emperor and spears will be planted and ceremonial officials will carry swords and bows. Drum expected to uphold and gong players will also take part in the ceremony. Guests will be seated in rooms progressive ways and hallways surrounding the courtyard, of predecessor with monitors set up to enable them to watch the rituals. SAYURI DAIMON Breaking precedent STAFF WRITER Just like how the enthronement cer- emony has changed to adopt modern Emperor Naruhito will formally declare aspects, many changes were brought to his ascension as Japan’s 126th monarch in the imperial family during the Heisei Era front of about 2,000 leaders and represen- led by then-Emperor Akihito and Empress tatives from over 170 countries and regions Michiko. at the Imperial Palace on Tuesday. Midori Watanabe, a former producer for The Sokuirei Seiden no Gi (enthrone- Nippon TV, who extensively covered the ment ceremony) will represent the old tra- imperial family, remembers how she was dition that has been carried on over 1,000 surprised to see the changes in the imperial years, but at the same time, it will be closely family traditions. watched by people around the world as “When Emperor Showa and Empress the beginning of the new era led by a new Nagako went out, they always traveled generation of the imperial family. with a huge entourage, and Empress Emperor Naruhito ascended the chry- Nagako used to walk several steps behind santhemum throne on May 1 following the the emperor. But in the Heisei Era, Emperor abdication of his father, Emperor Emeritus Akihito and Empress Michiko always Akihito, who was the first to be enthroned walked together side by side,’’ Watanabe as the symbol of “the state and of the recalled. unity of the people” under the postwar She also said when then-Emperor Aki- Constitution. hito and Empress Michiko went to Mount Mindful of the scars left by the war Unzen in Nagasaki Prefecture when it fought under the name of his father erupted in 1991 and visited local evacua- Emperor Showa, Emperor Emeritus Aki- tion shelters to comfort victims, they only hito during his reign spoke of the impor- took a few officials with them. tance of peace in many occasions and was “What was more surprising was that the seen as a “people’s emperor.” Many expect imperial couple knelt down on the floor that Emperor Naruhito will basically fol- to talk to people at the evacuation cen- low his path, but also adopt a new style ters; something that had never happened that reflects the modern era. before. When I saw it, I really thought “He shall largely follow the model things have changed so much in the Heisei provided by his father, the first emperor Era,” she said. enthroned under the postwar Constitu- ‘‘He will The ceremony at the Seiden State Hall ritual has evolved over time. then-Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu wore. Emperor Naruhito Watanabe said that Empress Emerita tion. At the same time, he shall not be a will start at 1 p.m. in the Matsu no Ma state Emperors formerly wore Chinese for- Instead of traditional court dress worn by makes his first Michiko, who received a modern educa- carbon copy of his father — he will adopt adopt various room, with the emperor announcing his mal clothing for ceremonies, but adopted past prime ministers, Kaifu was dressed in speech after his tion and was active as the president of the various social issues as society changes, social issues enthronement from the 6.5-meter-high traditional Japanese attire after studying a swallow-tailed coat. He also stood on the ascension to the students’ association while she attended keeping the imperial house in tune with as society canopied throne, known as the takami- ancient customs during Emperor Meiji’s same platform as the emperor when lead- throne as his wife, the University of the Sacred Heart, Tokyo, the trends of the time,” said Kenneth Ruoff, changes, kura. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will reign (1868 to 1912). The enthronement ing the banzai cheers so as to avoid giving Empress Masako, and Emperor Emeritus Akihito together led a professor of history at Portland State Uni- keeping the deliver a congratulatory message and lead ceremonies for Emperor Taisho in 1915 and any impression that he was subordinate to stands by his side at the imperial household to change old prac- versity and the author of the book “Japan’s imperial guests in three banzai cheers to wish for Emperor Showa in 1928 were conducted in the emperor. the Imperial Palace tices and adopt to the new era. Imperial House in the Postwar Era” to be the emperor’s longevity. Kyoto and were based on the Tokyokurei The protocol of the ceremony for in Tokyo on May 1. Empress Emerita Michiko, born Michiko released by Harvard University Press in house in The emperor will wear a dark orange (imperial ordinance concerning the ascen- Emperor Naruhito will follow the prec- POOL / VIA KYODO Shoda, daughter of former president of November. tune with the robe called Korozen no goho, the design of sion to the imperial throne) promulgated edent set by his father Emperor Emeritus Nisshin Flour Milling Co., also broke prec- trends of the which dates back to the ninth century and in 1909 by Emperor Meiji. Akihito. edents in many ways. She was the first Key ceremony time.’’ is only worn by emperors for special cer- When Emperor Emeritus Akihito Crown Prince Akishino, the emperor’s commoner to marry into the imperial fam- Tuesday’s Sokuirei Seiden no Gi is consid- KENNETH RUOFF, emonies. The color of the robe is meant to took over the throne from his late father younger brother, his wife Crown Princess ily. She also breastfed and raised children ered the most important among a series PROFEssoR OF mimic the color of the rising sun. Empress Emperor Showa in 1989, the government Kiko and other members of the imperial by herself instead of entrusting to the care HISTORY AT PORTLAND of enthronement-related ceremonies that STATE UNIVERSITY Masako will be dressed in a layered court decided to modify the traditional imperial family will also wear traditional Japanese of court chamberlains. started in May as the new emperor will offi- kimono during the ceremony. family rites to suit the spirit of the postwar clothing, while other participants are Such new practices have certainly been cially proclaim his enthronement before Though the ceremony adheres funda- Constitution. expected to wear morning dress. passed onto Emperor Naruhito, who many guests from Japan and abroad. mentally to the old traditional style, the One of the major changes was the attire During the ceremony, various banners Continued on page B4→ PAGE: 1 B2 | The Japan Times | Tuesday, October 22, 2019 Emperor Naruhito profile Ushering in an era of harmony between old and new KYODO, STAFF REPORT Emperor Naruhito A friend from his time at the university Sanitation between 2007 and 2015. The emperor is known to have a number returns to his Aka- noted he is well-prepared and tempera- Having set himself the goal of finding of hobbies, including mountain climbing, Emperor Naruhito ascended the throne saka Estate residence mentally suited to the role he assumed a partner before turning 30, he married jogging, playing tennis and skiing. He plays on May 1, a day after his 85-year-old father, in Tokyo on May 1 after his father’s abdication, reflecting on Masako Owada, a career diplomat who viola and was part of an orchestra during now referred to as Emperor Emeritus Aki- after attending his early impressions of the royal figure spent her early childhood in Moscow and his time at Gakushuin University. hito, became the first living Japanese mon- ceremonies marking then known as Prince Hiro. New York, at the slightly later age of 33, in The emperor has participated in a variety arch to abdicate in over 200 years. his accession to the “The Japanese people are fortunate they June 1993. of events and rituals, both in and outside In accordance with his ascension, the throne at the Impe- have him as the emperor, that he represents “I will protect you with all my might for the Imperial Palace, sometimes on behalf of new imperial era of Reiwa (meaning rial Palace. KYODO Japan,” said Keith George, an American law- the rest of your life,” the then-crown prince Emperor Emeritus Akihito in recent years. “beautiful harmony”) began, bringing the yer from Charleston, West Virginia, who said when proposing to her. In late May, the emperor and empress 30-year Heisei (meaning “achieving peace”) studied at Oxford for the same two years in Their wedding took place the following greeted U.S. President Donald Trump and Era to a close. the 1980s as Emperor Naruhito. year, and the couple’s only child, Princess first lady Melania as the first state guests of The 59-year-old earlier signaled his “Monarchies in some countries have Aiko, 17, was born on Dec. 1, 2001. the new era. intent to adapt to “the changing times,” scandals and erode moral standards, (but) while also saying his years with his parents Hiro doesn’t have that at all,” George said, would serve as “major guideposts” for him describing the new emperor as a “perfect Chronology of major events related to Emperor Naruhito’s life as he performs his nonpolitical duties as fit” to “maintain tradition but also respect Feb.