Photo: Issei Kato/Pool/Getty Images
Japan’s Emperor Naruhito formally ascended to the Chrysanthemum Throne on Tuesday in a ceremony evoking centuries of tradition dating back 2,000 years.
Although the new Emperor, 59, already assumed his rolefollowing the abdication of his father, former Emperor Akihito, on May 1, the importance of the Sokui no Rei (Ceremony of Accession) is such that royalty including Britain’sPrince Charles, Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia and Monaco’sPrince Albertwill be among the world leaders and dignitaries representing over 170 nations in attendance.
Akihito, 85, officially announced his plan to step down due to health reasons in December 2017, marking the country’s first abdication in 200 years.
Occurring in the Imperial Palace’s most exclusive space, Tuesday’s ceremony employed two of the nation’s sacred treasures and involves several stages.
Japan’s Emperor Naruhito.STR/Japan Pool via Jiji Press/AFP via Getty Images
Emperor Naruhito.The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images
Empress Masako.KIMIMASA MAYAMA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
Naruhito, dressed in traditional dark orange robes, mounted a throne (the takamikura) on a dais, contained within a 21-foot high columned, octagonal-shaped, canopied pavilion which has been built within the Hall of Pine. There, two of the Three Sacred Treasures — the sword and jewel — were set beside him.
Empress Masako.The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Images
Prince Charles.STR/Japan Pool via Jiji Press/AFP via Getty Images
Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark.CARL COURT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan.Carl Court/Getty Images
No one — including the Emperor — is allowed to gaze on either of these uncovered.
Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah, King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden.Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty Images
King Carl XVI Gustaf and Crown Princess Victoria.Koji Sasahara/Pool/Getty Images
Prince Albert.Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty Images
Queen Maxima and King Willem-Alexander of The Netherlands.Koji Sasahara/Pool/Getty Images
Around 2,000 guests witnessed a large courtyard procession of swordsmen, archers, drum and gong players and flag displays before curtains were thrown back on the takamikura and Naruhito began to speak.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain.Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty Images
Prince Charles.Tim Rooke - Pool/Getty Images
The enthronement marksPrince Charles’ second attendance. He and Princess Diana represented Britain at former Emperor Akihito’s 1990 enthronement.
Princess Diana and Prince Charles at the 1990 enthronement of Emperor Akihito.AKI HITO/Gamma-Rapho via Getty
Besides Charles, royals expected to attend as head of their nation’s delegation include Spain’s King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia, Monaco’s Prince Albert, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium, King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, King Abdullah of Jordan, Denmark’s Crown Prince Frederick and Crown Princess Mary, Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesae Namgyel and Queen Jetsun, Norway’s Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg.
Also announced are Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi of Myanmar, Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan, embattled Hong Kong chief executive Carrie Lam, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao will head the U.S. delegation.
Emperor Emeritus Akihito andEmpress Emerita Michiko(who turned 85 on Sunday) are not expected to attend the ceremonies in person.
KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/Getty
In honor of the formal enthronement, a holiday and a general amnesty have been declared. Approximately 500,000 citizens convicted of petty crimes will be pardoned, fines forgiven and in certain cases, legal restrictions removed from their records.
A scheduled parade featuring the royal couple in a Rolls Royce convertible following the ceremony has been postponed until November 10 in the aftermath of deadly Typhoon Hagibis last weekend, which was considered to be the most devastating typhoon to hit the Kantō region of Japan since 1958.
source: people.com
