Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime
(Imperial New Year's Poetry Reading)

Themes and Waka Poems by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress and Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Princess for the New Year's Poetry Reading

• 2012: kishi (shore)
• 2011: ha (leaf)
• 2010: hikari (light)
• 2009: sei (life)
• 2008: hi (fire)
• 2007: tsuki (the moon)
• 2006: emi (smile)
• 2005: Ayumi (walking)
• 2004: happiness
• 2003: town
• 2002: spring
• 2001: herbaceous plants
• 2000: time
• 1999: ao
• 1998: the road
• 1997: sugata
• 1996: seedlings
• 1995: song
• 1994: waves
• 1993: sky
• 1992: wind
• 1991: the forest