Videos of the Imperial Family (VHS・DVD)

This DVD presents a compendium of ceremonies and events staged within the imperial palace, official visits within Japan and public activities for fostering good international relations by the Emperor and Empress. Besides the normal format, it is also available in versions with sign language and subtitles.

This video presents a compendium of ceremonies and events staged within the imperial palace, from amongst the public activities of the Emperor and Empress.

This video captures from various angles the special press conference given by the Emperor and Empress on November 10, 1999 as the Emperor feted his 10th year on the throne. The press conference took place in the Shakkyu-no-ma Hall of the Imperial Palace.

This video shows the public welfare activities of the Emperor and Empress from their days as the Crown Prince and Princess to today.

This video introduces the Crown Prince and Princess, Prince and Princess Akishino and Princess Nori as they support the activities of the Emperor and Empress.

This video introduces the Prince and Princess Hitachi, Princess Takamatsu, Prince and Princess Mikasa, Prince and Princess Tomohito of Mikasa, Prince Katsura and Princess Takamado as they support the activities of the Emperor and Empress.

This video tells the story of Princess Nori from her birth until her marriage to Yoshiki Kuroda.

This film salutes the Emperor on his 70th birthday, by chronicling his history and showing who he is. The film is divided into two parts lasting about 40 minutes total. Part 1 covers the Emperor’s history from birth to his marriage to the Empress, with images of him studying as the Crown Prince. Part 2 focuses on the Emperor in his official duties after ascending to the throne.

This film introduces the Empress Michiko from her birth to her marriage to the Crown Prince, and shows her participation in official duties alongside her husband both as the Crown Princess and Empress. It also presents how she raised a warm loving family and her efforts to pass down the traditions of the Imperial Family, including her involvement with children’s literature and music.

This video introduces the natural environment and culture of the imperial residences, i.e., East Garden of Tokyo’s Imperial Palace, gagaku music and dancing, Museum of Imperial Collections, etc.

This video shows the changing seasons at the imperial palace.

This video introduces “Oshikicho no Etenraku” as an instrumental form of traditional music and “Manzai-raku” as a traditional form of dancing to music. 

“Oshikicho no Etenraku”

Some say the score was composed by Emperor Buntei (180 ~ 157BC) of China, while others claim it to be written in Japan, though its origin is not really known.

There are three songs of the same “Etenraku” title: Hyojo, Oshikisho and Banshikicho. It is said that Heijo was composed first, then transposed as Banshikicho, and then later as Oshikisho, but each of the songs is completely different.

“Manzai-raku”

Legend has it that a phoenix appeared during the years of peace (618 ~ 907) in China to offer its blessings to the emperor. This work transforms the voices into music and the motions into dance.

It has been performed since long ago for ascension ceremonies, banquets for celebrating appointments or promotions, etc.

There are four dancers on the left and right. They wear tori-kabuto headdresses and kasane-shozoku costumes with their right shoulders exposed, and dance solemnly and gracefully.

This villa was built by Prince Toshihito, the first to live there, from the Genna to the Kanei years (early 17th century). The Japanese garden is said to be of the finest beauty.

This video introduces the Kyoto Imperial Palace. 

Kyoto Imperial Palace

Kyoto was the home to the Emperor for 1,075 years, from when the Emperor Kanmu relocated the capital there until the Imperial Family moved to Tokyo in the first year of the Meiji Era.

The current Kyoto Imperial Palace was built in 1855 around the original private quarters of the emperor from long ago. At the center is the Shishin-den with the Seiryo-den to the northwest and Giyo-den to the east. The garden on the south side (front) of Shishin-den weaves through covered breezeways and gates including the Nikka-mon, Gekka-mon and Jomei-mon.

This video introduces the Sento Palace and Kyoto Omiya Palace.

Sento Palace

This palace was built in the early 17th century when the Emperor Gomizunoo retired. The palace burned down during the Ansei years. Today, only the garden and tea arbor remain of the original structure.

Kyoto Omiya Palace

The palace was originally built by the Emperor Gomizunoo for the Empress tofukumoin in the Kanei years (early 17th century). The current structure was built for the Empress Dowager Eisho (wife of the Emperor Komei) and was completed in 1867.

This palace was built for the Retired Emperor Gomizunoo in the Joo years (mid 17th century). The compound consists of three villas and a garden that incorporates the surrounding landscape into the design. It is one of the most famous gardens in Japan.

This video introduces the treasures, history and architecture of this imperial repository.

This video introduces the treasures of the Shosoin Repository that have survived until today gracious of restoration work.

This DVD was edited from videos on the Kyoto, Sento, Katsura and Shugakuin palaces, over a period from 1999 to 2001.