Imperial Funerals, Accession to the Throne, Weddings, and other events

Major ceremonies and events in the Imperial Family after the enactment of the Constitution of Japan are described below in chronological order.

Imperial Funeral of the Empress Teimei  

Imperial Funeral of the Empress Teimei  

Her Majesty the Empress Dowager (posthumously named Empress Teimei) passed away on May 17, 1951. A series of Imperial Funeral Ceremonies were conducted, including the Renso-no-Gi (Ceremony of the Funeral and Entombment) Ceremony, which took place on June 22. In fact, it was a State Funeral.

Rittaishi-no-Rei and Coming of Age Ceremonies of the Crown Prince

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Coming of Age Kakan-no-Gi Ceremony of the Crown Prince (Temporary Imperial Palace)
(Photo: Imperial Household Agency)

In November 1952, the Rittaishi-no-Rei (Investiture as Crown Prince), which announced to the country and the world that His Imperial Highness Prince Akihito had become the Crown Prince, and the Coming of Age Ceremony, which announced that His Highness had attained the age of majority, were conducted in the Imperial Palace.

The Rittaishi-no-Rei Sensei-no-Gi Ceremony, the Coming of Age Kakan-no-Gi (Crown Wearing) Ceremony of the Crown Prince, and Choken-no-Gi (First Audience) Ceremony were held on November 10. The Kyutyu-Kyoen-no-Gi (Court Banquet) was held for three days from November 12. All these ceremonies were conducted as ceremonies in matters of state, and a series of other ceremonies were performed around that time.

Coming of Age Ceremony of Prince Masahito

His Imperial Highness Prince Masahito attained majority on November 28, 1955, and the Coming of Age Ceremony was conducted in the Imperial Palace on that day.

Wedding of the Crown Prince

Photo caption
Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess in ceremonial attire.
(Photo: Imperial Household Agency)

The Wedding Ceremonies of His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Akihito were conducted in the Imperial Palace in April 1959.

The Kekkon-no-Gi (Wedding) Ceremony and the Choken-no-Gi Ceremony were conducted on April 10, and the Kyutyu-Shukuen-no-Gi (Celebratory Banquet) was held for three days from April 13. These ceremonies were conducted as ceremonies in matters of state, and a series of other ceremonies and functions were held around that time.   

Wedding of Prince Masahito

The Wedding Ceremony of His Imperial Highness Prince Masahito was conducted in the Imperial Palace on September 30, 1964.

Coming of Age Ceremony of Prince Tomohito

His Imperial Highness Prince Tomohito attained majority on January 5, 1966, and the Coming of Age Ceremony was conducted in the Imperial Palace on that day.

Coming of Age Ceremony of Prince Yoshihito

His Imperial Highness Prince Yoshihito attained majority on February 11, 1968, and the Coming of Age Ceremony was conducted on February 27 in the Imperial Palace.

Coming of Age Ceremony of Prince Norihito

His Imperial Highness Prince Norihito attained majority on December 29, 1974, and the Coming of Age Ceremony was conducted in the Imperial Palace on that day.

Coming of Age Ceremony of Prince Naruhito

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Coming of Age Ceremony of His Imperial Highness Prince Naruhito (Shunju-no-Ma, Imperial Palace)
(Photo: Imperial Household Agency)

His Imperial Highness Prince Naruhito attained majority on February 23, 1980, and the Coming of Age Ceremony was conducted in the Imperial Palace on that day.

(As His Imperial Highness was not the Crown Prince at that time, the ceremony was not conducted as a ceremony in matters of state).

Wedding of Prince Tomohito

The Wedding Ceremony of His Imperial Highness Prince Tomohito was conducted in the Imperial Palace on November 7, 1980.

Wedding of Prince Norihito

The Wedding Ceremony of His Imperial Highness Prince Norihito was conducted in the Imperial Palace on December 6, 1984.

Coming of Age Ceremony of Prince Fumihito

His Imperial Highness Prince Fumihito attained majority on November 30, 1985, and the Coming of Age Ceremony was conducted in the Imperial Palace on that day.

Kenji-to-Shokei-no-Gi Ceremony

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Kenji-to-Shokei-no-Gi Ceremony (Matsu-no-Ma, Imperial Palace)
(Photo: Imperial Household Agency)

The Kenji-to-Shokei-no-Gi Ceremony, in which His Majesty the new Emperor Akihito inherited the Imperial Regalia and the State and Privy Seals, as proof of His succession to the throne, was conducted as a State Ceremony on January 7, 1989.

Sokui-go-Choken-no-Gi Ceremony

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Sokui-go-Choken-no-Gi Ceremony (Matsu-no-Ma, Imperial Palace)
(Photo: Imperial Household Agency)

The Sokui-go-Choken-no-Gi Ceremony, His Majesty's First Audience Ceremony after the Accession, with the Heads of the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary and other representatives of the people, was held on January 9, 1989, in the Imperial Palace, as a State Ceremony.

Taiso-no-Rei and Imperial Funeral of Emperor Showa

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Sojoden-no-Gi Ceremony (Shinjuku Gyoen)
February 24, 1989
(Photo: Imperial Household Agency)

His Majesty the Emperor Showa died on January 7, 1989. The Taiso-no-Rei (The Funeral Ceremony of His late Majesty) was held in Shinjuku Gyoen as a State Ceremony on February 24, 1989. On the same day, a series of Imperial Funeral ceremonies, including the Ceremony of the Funeral and Entombment called Renso-no-Gi (the Sojoden-no-Gi (the Ceremony for His late Majesty at the Funeral Hall) Ceremony, and the Ryosho-no-Gi (the Ceremony of Entombment at the Imperial Mausoleum) Ceremony), for His Majesty the Emperor Showa were conducted as Imperial House Ceremonies.

Wedding of Prince Fumihito

The Wedding Ceremony of His Imperial Highness Prince Fumihito was conducted in the Imperial Palace on June 29, 1990.

Sokui-no-Rei- and Daijosai-related ceremonies

A series of ceremonies related to the enthronement, including those described here, were also held, apart from the Kenji-to-Shokei-no-Gi Ceremony and Sokui-go-Choken-no-Gi (First Audience after the Accession) Ceremony, which were held immediately after the accession to the Throne.

Sokuirei-Seiden-no-Gi Ceremony
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Sokuirei-Seiden-no-Gi (Seiden, Imperial Palace)
(Photo: Imperial Household Agency)

The Sokuirei-Seiden-no-Gi Ceremony of His Majesty the Emperor Akihito was held as a State Ceremony in the Imperial Palace on November 12, 1990. This is a ceremony to proclaim the enthronement of His Majesty, and for Him to receive felicitations of representatives from Japan and the world.

Shukuga-Onretsu-no-Gi Procession
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Shukuga-Onretsu-no-Gi (Starting from South Porch, Imperial Palace)
(Photo: Imperial Household Agency)

The Shukuga-Onretsu-no-Gi, a procession in which the people of Japan saw the new emperor after the Sokuirei-Seiden-no-Gi, was held from the Imperial Palace to the Akasaka Imperial Residence, on November 12, 1990, as a State Ceremony.

Kyoen-no-Gi

The Kyoen-no-Gi, the Court banquet to celebrate the enthronement of His Majesty the Emperor and for Him to receive the congratulations of the guests, was held during four days from November 12 to 15, 1990, in the Imperial Palace, as a State Ceremony.

Daijosai (Great Thanksgiving Festival following Enthronement)

The Daijokyu-no-Gi (Yukiden-Kyosen-no-Gi and Sukiden-Kyosen-no-Gi) ceremony, after the enthronement of His Majesty the Emperor, was held on November 22 and 23, 1990 in the Imperial Palace, as an Imperial House Ceremony. The Daijokyu-no-Gi is a thanksgiving ceremony in which the new Emperor offers new rice to the Imperial Ancestors and to the Tenjin Chigi (the deities of heaven and earth) at both the Yukiden and the Sukiden of the Daijokyu (temporary hall for the Daijosai Ceremony), and partakes of it himself, giving thanks and praying for peace and abundant harvests for the country and the people.

Also, the Daikyo-no-Gi Banquet of His Majesty the Emperor was held on November 24 and 25, 1990, at the Imperial Palace, as an Imperial House Ceremony. The Daikyo-no-Gi is a Grand Banquet after the Daijokyu-no-Gi Ceremony, in which the Emperor bestows white sake, black sake, and relishes upon those present, and all partake together.

Rittaishi-no-Rei Ceremony

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Rittaishi-Senmei-no-Gi of His Imperial Highness Prince Naruhito (Matsu-no-Ma, Imperial Palace)
(Photo: Imperial Household Agency)

The Rittaishi-no-Rei, the ceremony that proclaimed to the people of Japan and the world that His Imperial Highness Prince Naruhito was the new Crown Prince, was held in February 1991 at the Imperial Palace.

The Rittaishi- Senmei-no-Gi (Proclamation of the new Crown Prince) Ceremony and Choken-no-Gi (First Audience) Ceremony were held on February 23, and the Imperial Kyoen-no-Gi (Court Banquet) was held on February 24 and 25. All these ceremonies were conducted as State Events, and a series of other ceremonies were also performed around that time.

Wedding of the Crown Prince

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Their Imperial Highnesses Crown Prince and the Princess in ceremonial attire.
(Photo: Imperial Household Agency)

The Wedding Ceremonies of His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince Naruhito was conducted in the Imperial Palace in June 1993.

The Kekkon-no-Gi (Wedding) Ceremony and the Choken-no-Gi (First Audience) Ceremony were conducted on June 9, and the Kyutyu-Kyoen-no-Gi (Court Banquet) was held for three days from June 15. All these ceremonies were conducted as State Ceremonies, and a series of other ceremonies and events were held around that time.   

Imperial Funeral of the Empress Kojun  

Imperial Funeral of the Empress Kojun  

Her Majesty the Empress Dowager (posthumously named Empress Kojun) passed away on June 16, 2000. A series of Imperial Funeral Ceremonies were conducted, including the Renso-no-Gi (Ceremony of the Funeral and Entombment) Ceremony, which took place on July 25.

Taiirei-Seiden-no-Gi Ceremony

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Taiirei-Seiden-no-Gi(Matsu-no-Ma, Imperial Palace)
(Photo: Imperial Household Agency)

The Taiirei-Seiden-no-Gi, Ceremony to announce the Abdication of His Majesty Emperor Akihito to the people and for His Majesty to receive in audience the representatives of the people for the last time before the Abdication, was held as a State Ceremony at the Seiden (State Hall) of the Imperial Palace on April 30, 2019.

Kenji-to-Shokei-no-Gi Ceremony

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Kenji-to-Shokei-no-Gi Ceremony (Matsu-no-Ma, Imperial Palace)
(Photo: Imperial Household Agency)

The Kenji-to-Shokei-no-Gi Ceremony, in which His Majesty the new Emperor Naruhito inherited the Imperial Regalia and the State and Privy Seals, as proof of His succession to the throne, was conducted as a State Ceremony on May 1, 2019.

Sokui-go-Choken-no-Gi Ceremony

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Sokui-go-Choken-no-Gi Ceremony (Matsu-no-Ma, Imperial Palace)
(Photo: Imperial Household Agency)

The Sokui-go-Choken-no-Gi Ceremony, His Majesty's First Audience Ceremony after the Accession, with the Heads of the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary and other representatives of the people, was held on May 1, 2019, in the Imperial Palace, as a State Ceremony.

Sokui-no-Rei- and Daijosai-related ceremonies

A series of ceremonies related to the enthronement, including those described here, were also held, apart from the Kenji-to-Shokei-no-Gi Ceremony and Sokui-go-Choken-no-Gi (First Audience after the Accession) Ceremony, which were held immediately after the accession to the Throne.

Sokuirei-Seiden-no-Gi Ceremony
Photo caption
Sokuirei-Seiden-no-Gi Ceremony (Seiden, Imperial Palace)
(Photo: Imperial Household Agency)

The Sokuirei-Seiden-no-Gi Ceremony of His Majesty the Emperor Naruhito was held as a State Ceremony in the Imperial Palace on October 22, 2019. This is a ceremony to proclaim the enthronement of His Majesty, and for Him to receive felicitations of representatives from Japan and the world.

Kyoen-no-Gi

The Kyoen-no-Gi, the Court banquets to celebrate the Enthronement of His Majesty Emperor Naruhito and for His Majesty to receive the congratulations of the guests, were held as State Ceremonies, four times on October 22, 25, 29 and 31, 2019 at the Imperial Palace.

Shukuga-Onretsu-no-Gi Procession
Photo caption
Shukuga-Onretsu-no-Gi (Starting from South Porch, Imperial Palace)
(Photo: Imperial Household Agency)

The Shukuga-Onretsu-no-Gi, a procession in which the people of Japan saw the new emperor after the Sokuirei-Seiden-no-Gi, was held from the Imperial Palace to the Akasaka Imperial Residence, on November 10, 2019, as a State Ceremony.

Daijosai (Great Thanksgiving Festival following Enthronement)

The Daijokyu-no-Gi (Yukiden-Kyosen-no-Gi and Sukiden-Kyosen-no-Gi) ceremony, after the enthronement of His Majesty the Emperor, was held on November 14 and 15, 2019 in the Imperial Palace, as an Imperial House Ceremony. The Daijokyu-no-Gi is a thanksgiving ceremony in which the new Emperor offers new rice to the Imperial Ancestors and to the Tenjin Chigi (the deities of heaven and earth) at both the Yukiden and the Sukiden of the Daijokyu (temporary hall for the Daijosai Ceremony), and partakes of it himself, giving thanks and praying for peace and abundant harvests for the country and the people.

Also, the Daikyo-no-Gi Banquet of His Majesty the Emperor was held on November 16 and 18, 2019, at the Imperial Palace, as an Imperial House Ceremony. The Daikyo-no-Gi is a Grand Banquet after the Daijokyu-no-Gi Ceremony, in which the Emperor bestows white sake, black sake, and relishes upon those present, and all partake together.

Rikkoshi-no-Rei Ceremony

Photo caption
Rikkoshi-Senmei-no-Gi of His Imperial Highness Prince Fumihito (Matsu-no-Ma, Imperial Palace)
(Photo: Imperial Household Agency)

The Rikkoshi-no-Rei, the ceremony that proclaimed to the people of Japan and the world that His Imperial Highness Prince Fumihito was the new Crown Prince, was held in November 2020 at the Imperial Palace.

The Rikkoshi- Senmei-no-Gi (Proclamation of the new Crown Prince) Ceremony and Choken-no-Gi (First Audience) Ceremony were held on November 8. These ceremonies were conducted as State Events, and a series of other ceremonies were also performed.