Japan’s Emperor Naruhito has formally proclaimed his ascension to the throne in an elaborate ceremony.
Japan’s emperor completes his ascension in ancient ceremony
TOKYO: Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah were among the 185 heads of state and foreign dignitaries who witnessed the enthronement ceremony of Japan’s Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace yesterday.
Sultan Abdullah, who donned the Army No. 1 ceremonial dress, and Tunku Azizah, who was in a pink baju kurung, were accompanied by Malaysian Ambassador to Japan Datuk Kennedy Jawan to the historic ceremony that marks the accession of a new emperor of the Land of the Rising Sun.
The presence of the Malaysian King and Queen was at the invitation of the Japanese government.
Naruhito, 59, succeeded the throne from his father, Emperor
Akihito, on May 1, after the latter abdicated due to health reasons, becoming the first emperor to do so.
His ascension to the throne will begin a new era in Japan known as “Reiwa” which means “harmony and order”, effectively drawing the curtain on Akihito’s era since 1989 known as “Heisei” (achieving peace).
The most-awaited ceremony, which began at 1pm local time (12pm Malaysian time), took place in the most prestigious and elegant hall known as Seiden Matsu-no-Ma (State Room) at the Imperial Palace.
To begin the ceremony, Naruhito, who was dressed in a dark orange “gosokutai” robe, which is worn only by emperors, and the “ryuei-no-onkanmuri” crown, took his place on the Emperor’s Throne, while Empress Masako, dressed in an elaborate five-layer silk court kimono, took her place on the August Seat of the Empress.
With only drums and gongs sounding, the deep purple silk curtains of the throne were then drawn back to reveal the royal couple standing within.
Naruhito then proclaimed his enthronement, followed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe delivering a congratulatory speech before exclaiming “Banzai!” (Long Live the Emperor) three times with the firing of a 21-gun salute.
The ceremony ended when the curtains of the throne were closed and the royal couple left the Seiden Matsu-no-Ma. — Bernama
TOKYO: Japan’s Emperor Naruhito completed his ascension to the Chrysanthemum throne in a ceremony steeped in the traditions and grandeur of a monarchy that claims 2,000 years of history.
Yesterdays’ rituals cemented a transition that began with his father’s abdication earlier this year, and drew royalty and political leaders from around the world.
A public parade for the event was postponed after a deadly typhoon, but the government went ahead with the granting of pardons for more than half a million people convicted of minor offences including traffic violations.
The main event took place in the Imperial Palace’s Pine Room, where royal attendants drew back purple curtains hanging from two heavily adorned structures housing the imperial thrones, revealing the emperor and empress standing inside.
“I hereby declare my enthronement at home and abroad,” Naruhito said, dressed in a voluminous draped robe topped with a copper overcoat.
Empress Masako, a Harvardeducated former diplomat, stood silently before her throne in a similar, smaller structure, wearing a multi-layered kimono and a highly stylised hairpiece.
Naruhito pledged to “pray for the happiness of Japanese people and world peace” and “fulfil my duty as the symbol of Japan and of the unity of the people of Japan.”
Standing before him, flanked by royal family members also wearing heavily decorated traditional robes, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe promised the people of Japan would “respect your highness the emperor as the symbol of the state and of the unity of the Japanese people.”
He then raised his hands three times, shouting “Banzai!” or “Long live the emperor!”
The solemn ceremony was conducted almost entirely in silence, with royal family members gliding wordlessly into the room and standing throughout.
Only the sounds of a gong and drum signalled the stages of the ritual, with a low, loud beat indicating to guests representing around 180 countries and institutions that it was time to stand and hear the proclamation.
And it was over almost as soon as it had begun, with attendants closing the purple curtains and the royals quietly moving out of the room.
Outside, a small crowd of wellwishers gathered despite driving rain that forced the palace to move some of the guests inside.
They watched the ceremony on their phones outside and listened as a gun salute was sounded when it was complete.
“I feel as a Japanese person that this is such a historic moment,” said Kyoko Tanaka, 51.
“I want the royal couple to be a good example for Japanese people, like their predecessors were,” she added.
Others too said they had felt compelled to come to the palace, despite the parade being postponed until Nov 10.
“I know we can’t see the ceremony, but I wanted to feel the atmosphere in front of the palace,” Shoko Koeda said, watching the proceedings on her phone.
“This is a historic moment. I feel special.”