List of main ritual ceremonies
Date |
Ceremony |
Explanation |
January 1 |
Shiho-hai |
This is the first ceremony of the year in which His Majesty the Emperor offers prayers of worship in the early morning to the gods of Ise Shrine, the Imperial mausoleum and the Four Quarters, at the south garden of the Shinkaden. |
Saitansai |
This ceremony takes place at the Imperial Palace Sanctuaries in the early morning at the start of the new year. |
January 3 |
Genshisai |
This ceremony celebrates the headquarters and origin of the Imperial Throne at the start of the new year. The prosperity of the nation and the people are also prayed for at the Imperial Palace Sanctuaries. |
January 4 |
Sojihajime |
In this ceremony held at the start of the new year, the Grand Master of the Division of Rituals announces to His Majesty the Emperor the Ritual Ceremonies that will take place that year at Ise Shrine and the Imperial Palace. |
January 7 |
Showa Tenno-sai |
This ceremony takes place at the Koreiden on the day marking the Passing of Emperor Showa. (A ceremony is also held at the Ryosho (Imperial mausoleum).) |
January 30 |
Komei-Tenno-reisai |
This ceremony takes place at the Koreiden on the day marking the Passing of Emperor Komei. (A ceremony is also held at the Ryosho (Imperial mausoleum).) |
February 17 |
Kinensai |
This ceremony is held every February at the Imperial Palace Sanctuaries to pray for good crops. |
February 23 |
Tenchou-sai |
This ceremony is held at the Imperial Palace Sanctuaries and celebrates the birthday of His Majesty the Emperor. |
Spring Equinox Day |
Shunki-koreisai |
Ceremony of ancestors that occurs on the Spring equinox day at the Koreiden. |
Shunki-shindensai |
Ceremony of thanks to the gods that occurs on the Spring equinox day at the Shinden. |
April 3 |
Jinmu-Tenno-sai |
This ceremony takes place at the Koreiden on the day marking the Passing of Emperor Jinmu. (A ceremony is also held at the Ryosho (Imperial mausoleum).) |
Koreiden-mikagura |
This ceremony occurs on the night of the Ceremony of Emperor Jinmu, when Mikagura music is performed to calm the spirits of the gods. |
June 16 |
Kojun-Kougou-reisai |
This ceremony takes place at the Koreiden on the day marking the Passing of Empress Kojun. (A ceremony is also held at the Ryosho (Imperial mausoleum).) |
June 30 |
Yoori |
This ceremony is held for His Majesty the Emperor to purify. |
Ooharai |
This is a ceremony to purify the people of Japan, as represented by the Imperial Family in front of the Shinkaden. |
July 30 |
Meiji-Tenno-reisai |
This ceremony takes place at the Koreiden on the day marking the Passing of Emperor Meiji. (A ceremony is also held at the Ryosho (Imperial mausoleum).) |
Autumn Equinox Day |
Shuuki-koreisai |
Ceremony of ancestors that occurs on the Autumn equinox day at the Koreiden. |
Shuuki-shindensai |
Ceremony of thanks to the gods that occurs on the Autumn equinox day at the Shinden. |
October 17 |
Kanname-sai |
In this ceremony held at Kashikodokoro, new crops are offered to the gods as thanks. In the morning, His Majesty the Emperor offers prayers of worship to Ise Shrine at the Shinkaden. |
November 23 |
Niiname-sai |
In this ceremony performed at the Shinkaden, His Majesty the Emperor offers new crops as thanks to the ancestral and other gods, after which the Emperor himself eats some of the crops that were offered. This is the most important of all the annual ritual ceremonies that take place at the Imperial Palace. The Emperor also offers crops that he has grown himself as an offering to the gods. |
Middle of December |
Kashikodokoro-mikagura |
This ceremony occurs in the early afternoon, when Mikagura music is performed to calm the spirits of the gods. |
December 25 |
Taisho-Tenno-reisai |
This ceremony takes place at the Koreiden on the day marking the Passing of Emperor Taisho. (A ceremony is also held at the Ryosho (Imperial mausoleum).) |
December 31 |
Yoori |
This ceremony is held for His Majesty the Emperor to purify. |
Ooharai |
This is a ceremony to purify the people of Japan, as represented by the Imperial Family in front of the Shinkaden. |