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A

Audiences
Their Majesties' meeting with heads of state or members of a Royal Family from abroad and distinguished guests from abroad.
Accession to the Throne
The Crown Prince's accession to the throne (Designated by the Imperial House Law, Article 4)

B

The Emperor's Birthday Luncheon
Lunch celebration held on His Majesty's birthday, where the Speaker and Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President and Vice President of the House of Councilors; Diet members; the Prime Minister; Ministers of State; the Chief Justice and Justices of the Supreme Court; other government officials with Imperial attestation (Ninshokan); Administrative Vice Ministers of Ministries and Agencies and other leading figures of legislative, executive and judicial branches; and prefectural governors and representatives from all fields and their spouses are invited.
His Majesty's Birthday Celebration
Collective term for events held on His Majesty's birthday every year, where His Majesty receives congratulations. Events held on the day include Shukuga no Gi (Congratulatory Ceremony), Enkai no Gi (The Emperor's Birthday Lunch), Chakai no Gi (Reception), Ippan Sanga (Visit of the General Public to the Palace for His Majesty's Birthday), and other such events.
His Majesty's Birthday Celebration Ceremony
Ceremony held on Their Majesties birthday, where His Majesty receives congratulations from His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince and the rest of the Imperial Family; the Prime Minister; the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the House of Councilors; the Chief Justice and Justices of the Supreme Court.
His Majesty's Birthday Tea
Celebration tea held on His Majesty's birthday, where heads of the diplomatic missions from other countries and their spouses are invited.
Baicho
Being allowed to listen to the lectures (goshinko) with Their Majesties and other Imperial Family members

C

Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime (Imperial New Year's Poetry Reading)
Ceremony held in January every year, where in the presence of the Emperor, poems chosen from those presented by the general public, poems written by senja (the selectors), poems written by meshiudo (people who select the poems), poems written by members of the Imperial family, a poem written by Her Majesty the Empress, and a poem written by His Majesty the Emperor are introduced in this order.
Court Luncheon
Lunch held in court, where distinguished guests from home and abroad are invited
Court Banquets
Banquet to announce and celebrate Accession to the Throne, Investiture as Crown Prince, marriage, and other such events
Ceremony of Imperial Conferment of Decoration
Conferment Ceremonies where the First Order of Merit is conferred upon the recipient by His Majesty the Emperor
Ceremony of Conferment of Decoration
Conferment Ceremonies where the Prime Minister confers the order upon the recipient. The ceremonies are held at the Imperial Palace.
Ceremony of the Kousho Hajime (Imperial New Year's Lectures)
Ceremony held every January where Their Majesties listen to experts lecture in human, social and natural sciences
Ceremony of the Presentation of Credentials
Ceremony where a newly appointed foreign ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary presents a letter of credence to His Majesty the Emperor
Coming-of-age
The majority age for the Emperor, the Kotaishi (Crown Prince, son of the Emperor) and the Kotaison (Crown Prince, grandson of the Emperor) is eighteen, while the age for other Imperial Family members is twenty (Designated by the Imperial House Law, Article 22, and the Civil Code, Article 3).
Coming of Age Ceremony
Ceremony held when a member of the Imperial Family reaches the coming-of-age
Ceremony of the Accession to the Throne
Ceremony to announce the accession to the throne. This is considered as an act in matters of state designated by the Constitution, and consists of Kenji-to-Shokei-no-gi (Accession Ceremony to inherit the Imperial Regalia and the State and Privy Seals), Sokui-go-Choken-no-gi (His Majesty's First Audience Ceremony after the Accession with the Head of the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary and other Representatives of the people), Sokuirei-Seiden-no-gi (Enthronement Ceremony), Shukuga-Onretsu-no-gi (Imperial Procession by motorcar after the Enthronement Ceremony) and Kyoen-no-gi (Court Banquets) (Designated by the Imperial House Law, Article 24).
Ceremony of Appointment of Official with Imperial Attestation
Ceremony of appointment of Ninshokan (officials whose appointment and dismissal requires Imperial acknowledgement)
Choken-no-gi
Audience with Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, held at the times of investiture of the Crown Prince, wedding, and other such events
Conferment Ceremony for the Order of Cultural Merit
Conferment Ceremonies where the Orders of Cultural Merit are conferred upon the recipient by His Majesty the Emperor

D

Daikyo-no-gi
Grand banquet after the Daijokyu-no-gi, in which the Emperor bestows white sake, black sake and a relish upon those present, and all partake together.
Daijokyu-no-gi
Ceremony after the enthronement, in which the Emperor offers new rice to the Imperial Ancestor and to the Tenjin Chigi (the deities of heaven and earth) at both the Yukiden and Sukiden at the Daijokyu (temporary hall for the Daijosai), and partakes of it
The Daijosai (Rite of Offering of New Rice after the Enthronement Ceremony)
Rite where His Majesty offers new rice to the ancestors and to the gods of heaven and earth. His Majesty eats to appreciate and pray for public peace and productiveness of grain for the state and the people. (The term Daijosai is used for the term that means the main rite itself and as the collective term for the series of rites held before and after the main rite.)
Daitohu (the Record of Imperial Lineage)
Book that records facts pertaining to the Imperial status of His Majesty the Emperor, Her Majesty the Empress and the Empress Dowager
Dokuji (master of ceremonies)
Host of the Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime

E

Eishinka (submissions by the general public)
Poems presented by the general public for the Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime (Imperial New Year's Poetry Reading)
Sokuirei-Seiden-no-gi (Enthronement Ceremony)
Ceremony where His Majesty the Emperor declares his enthronement, and then representatives from home and abroad offer congratulations for His Majesty's enthronement.

F

Farewell Call
While there is one of the reception of State Visits by the Imperial Family, this means the ceremonies for farewell for guests of state.
Sokui-go-Choken-no-gi (His Majesty's First Audience Ceremony after the Accession)
Ceremony where His Majesty the Emperor officially meets the representatives of the people for the first time after the accession to the throne. The representatives include the Speaker of the House of Representatives and President of the House of Councilors (legislative), Prime Minister (executive) and Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (judicial).

G

Their Majesties' Garden Parties
Feasts held in Akasaka Imperial Ground, twice a year, once in spring and once in fall, where Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress invite dignitaries including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, President of the House of Councilors, the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court who are the heads of the three branches of government (legislative, executive and judicial), prefectural governors, and individuals who have rendered distinguished service in various fields including industry, culture, the arts and social activities, and their spouses.
Gyokei
Visits of Her Majesty the Empress, the Empress Dowager, the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess
Gyokou
Visits of His Majesty the Emperor
Gyokoukei
Visits of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress together
Gyosei (the poems of His Majesty the Emperor)
Poems composed by His Majesty the Emperor. (In the Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime (Imperial New Year's Poetry Reading), they are called Oomiuta.)
Goesyaku
Their Majesties' unofficial meetings with people
Gokikan
Return from visits of the members of the Imperial Family other than Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, the Empress Dowager, the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess
Goshinko (meeting in which experts offer lectures on their subjects of specialty)
Experts offering lectures in their specialty to Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress and other members of the Imperial Family

H

Haietsu (audiences)
Person of merit or key figure's official meeting with Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress
Hassei (singer of poems from the first poem)
Person who recites the first part of the poems in the Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime

I

the Imperial Court Appropriation
Expenses for the Imperial Family's official duties, including ceremonies, state banquets, receptions, and domestic and overseas visits. These expenses also include those for the management and maintenance of the Imperial Palace facilities and other properties. They are public funds to be accounted for by the Imperial Household Agency (Designated by the Imperial House Economy Law, Article 5).
Kenji (the Imperial Regalia)
The sacred sword and jewels
the Imperial Heir
The member of the Imperial family to next ascend the throne
the Imperial House Economy Council
The council deliberates important matters pertaining to the economy of the Imperial Household including changing the amount of the Inner Court Appropriation and the Allowance for Imperial Family members designated by law. The council has eight members: the Speaker and the Vice-Speaker of the House of Representatives, the President and the Vice-President of the House of Councilors, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance, the Grand Steward of the Imperial Household Agency, and the President of the Board of Audit.
The State properties assigned to the use of the Imperial House
Properties categorized as administrative properties among the national properties that are or will be provided to the Imperial Family
the Imperial Family Appropriations
An annual allowance provided to each member of the Imperial Families so that the Imperial Families are able to maintain a life style that befits their position. The quantum to be used to calculate the Imperial Family Appropriations are designated by laws. The Imperial Family appropriations will be used as the Privy Purse for each member of the Imperial Family. Other than the Privy Purse, the appropriations will and can be used as a lump sum payment when a member of the Imperial Family establishes his/her independent household, or when a member of the Imperial Family leaves his/her Imperial status (Designated by the Imperial House Economy Law, Article 6 and the Law for the Enforcement of the Imperial House Economy Law, Article 8).
Shukuga-Onretsu-no-gi (Imperial Procession by motorcar after the Enthronement Ceremony)
The ceremony is held after the Enthronement ceremony for announcing to the general public the accession to the throne and to receive congratulations.
Imperial Investiture
Ceremony where His Majesty the Emperor appoints the Prime Minister or the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
the Inner Court Appropriation
Expenses for His Majesty and members of the inner court of the Imperial Family (Naitei-Kozoku) in daily living and activities. The amount for these expenses is stipulated. Used for the Privy Purse, these expenses are not public funds use and accounting for by the Imperial Household Agency (Imperial House Economy Law, Article 4, the Law for the Enforcement of the Imperial House Economy Law, Article 7).
Investiture as Crown Prince (Rittaishi no Rei)
Ceremony where a new Crown Prince announces his investiture

J

K

Kankei
Return from visits of Her Majesty the Empress, the Empress Dowager, the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess
Kanko
Return from visits of His Majesty the Emperor
Kankokei
Return from visits of Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress together
Kyutyu-kyoen-no-gi
Banquet to announce and celebrate Accession to the Throne, Investiture as Crown Prince, marriage, and other such events
Kuzen-no-gi
Ceremony where the newlywed couple dines for the first time
Kekkon-no-gi
Ceremony where the couple exchanges wedding vows in Kashikodokoro (Imperial Palace Sanctuaries)
Koji (reader of all poems)
The person who reads all poems in a flat voice in the Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime (Imperial New Year's Poetry Reading)
Kosho (accompanying singer to the hassei for poems from the second poem)
After the Hassei recites the first part, this is the person reciting the rest of the poem in the Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime.
Kozokuhu (the Record of Imperial Lineage)
Book that records facts pertaining to the Imperial status of Imperial Family members other than those of His Majesty the Emperor, Her Majesty the Empress, and the Empress Dowager
Kotohu (the Record of Imperial Lineage)
Books that record facts pertaining to His Majesty the Emperor and the Imperial Family. These are equivalent to the official family register. The books consist of Daitofu and Kozokuhu (Designated by the Imperial House Law, Article 26).
Kokki
Announcing the date of the wedding

L

M

Miuta (the poems of Her Majesty the Empress)
The poem that Her Majesty the Empress or the Empress Dowager has composed
Mikayo-no-mochi-no-gi
Ceremony where after the marriage rice cakes (mochi) are placed in the palace for three days as offerings
The Michodai (August Seat of the Empress)
Throne that Her Majesty the Empress uses during Sokui-no-rei (Ceremony of the Accession to the Throne)
Meshiudo (The people who select the poems)
The person who composes a poem by special order of His Majesty the Emperor (The poem meshiudo has composed is called meshiuta).

N

Their Majesties' New Year Reception
Ceremony where Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress receive New Year greetings from His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince and the rest of the Imperial Family; the Speaker and Vice Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President and Vice President of the House of Councilors; Diet members; the Prime Minister; Ministers of State; the Chief Justice and Justices of the Supreme Court; other government officials with Imperial attestation (Ninshokan); Administrative Vice Ministers of Ministries and Agencies and other leading figures of legislative, executive and judicial organs; prefectural governors and chairpersons of prefectural assemblies; and heads of diplomatic missions to Japan and their spouses. The ceremony is held at the Imperial Palace each year on 1 January.
Nosai
Equivalent to yuino (exchange of engagement gifts) held among the general public

O

Outa (the poems of the Imperial Family)
Poems composed by members of the Imperial Family other than Her Majesty the Empress and the Empress Dowager
Odai (Themes by His Majesty)
Themes of poems determined by His Majesty the Emperor
Onari
Visits of Imperial Family members other than Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, the Empress Dowager, the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess

P

Privy Purse
Personal expenses not categorized as public funds to be used and accounted for by the Imperial Household Agency (Designated by the Imperial House Economy Law, Article 4 and 6)
the Privy Seal
The Privy Seal with Tenno Gyoji engraved on it. The seal is used to attest the promulgation documents of Imperial Edicts, laws, cabinet orders and treaties, instruments of ratification of pacts, full powers and credentials of ambassadors and ministers, and appointment and dismissal notices of Ninshokan (officials whose appointment and dismissal requires Imperial acknowledgement).

Q

R

Rittaisi-Senmei-no-gi
The ceremony for announcing that a new Crown Prince has been crowned and for representatives from home and abroad to celebrate the event

S

State Dinner
While there is one of the reception of State Visits by the Imperial Family, this means dinners held at the Imperial Palace.
the State Seal
The State Seal with Dai Nippon Kokuji engraved on it. The State Seal is used for certificate of decoration.
Senka (poems chosen from submissions by the general public)
Poems that are chosen from the eishinka, ones submitted by the general public, which are introduced in the Ceremony of the Utakai Hajime (The composer of senka is called yosenja)
Senja (the selectors)
Person who chooses senka from eishinka

T

Traditional properties as are to be handed down with the Throne
The traditional properties as are to be handed down with the Throne includes the Three Sacred Treasures (the sacred mirror, the sacred sword and the sacred jewel) and the Imperial Palace Sanctuaries (Kashikodokoro, Koureiden, and Shinden) (Designated by the Imperial House Economy Law, Article 7).
The Takamikura (Imperial Throne for the Emperor)
Throne that His Majesty the Emperor uses during Sokui-no-Rei (Ceremony of the Accession to the Throne)

U

V

Visit of the General Public to the Palace for the New Year Greeting
Ceremony where Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress, accompanied by other members of the Imperial Family, receive New Year Greetings from the general public at the Imperial Palace each year on 2 January
Visit of the General Public to the Palace for His Majesty's Birthday
Event held on His Majesty's birthday, where His Majesty, accompanied by Her Majesty, His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince and other members of the Imperial Family receive congratulations from the general public

W

Welcoming Ceremony
While there is one of the reception of State Visits by the Imperial Family, this means ceremonies to welcome State Guests.

X

Y

Z