Enthronement and Ceremonies

After the demise of Emperor Showa on January 7 in Showa 64 (1989), His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince Akihito succeeded to the throne.
In deep sorrow, a variety of ceremonies are conducted including Kenji-to-Shokei-no-gi and Sokui-go-Choken-no-gi. Kenji-to-Shokei-no-gi is the accession ceremony to inherit the Imperial Regalia and the State and Privy Seal, and Sokui-go-Choken-no-gi is His Majesty's First Audience Ceremony after the Accession with the head of the legislature, executive, judiciary and other representatives of the people.

Sokuirei-Seiden-no-gi is the ceremony to proclaim the enthronement and receive felicitations of representatives from Japan and the world. At this ceremony His Majesty the Emperor domestically and internationally declares his accession to the throne. Sokuirei-Seiden-no-gi was solemnly and royally held on November 12 in 1990 at the Imperial Palace. Approximately 2,200 guests came. Guests included not only representatives from all walks of life in Japan, but were also heads of state and missionaries from 158 countries and representatives from the European Commission and the United Nations. Following the ceremony, as many as 117,000 people gathered along the street from the Imperial Palace to Akasaka Imperial Residence for Shukuga-Onretsu-no-gi. Shukuga-Onretsu-no-gi is the procession to show the new Emperor to the people of Japan after the Sokuire-Seiden-no-gi and receive their good wishes. This ceremony celebrates His Majesty the Emperor's accession to the throne.

Ceremonies and Events of Enthronement

Date Name(Japanese) Explanation Place
Jan. 7, 1989 Kenji-to-Shokei-no-gi Accession Ceremony to inherit the Imperial Regalia and the State and Privy Seals. Imperial Palace
Jan. 9, 1989 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). Imperial Palace
Jan. 23, 1990 Kashikodokoro-ni-kijitsu-Hokoku-no-gi Ceremony for the Emperor to report the date of the Sokuirei and the Daijosai at the Kashikodokoro. Kashikodokoro (Imperial Palace Sanctuaries)
Koreiden-Shinden-ni-kijitsu-Hokoku-no-gi Ceremony for the Emperor to report the date of the Sokuirei and the Daijosai the Koreiden and Shinden. Koreiden and Shinden (Imperial Palace Sanctuaries)
Jingu-Jinmu-Tenno-Sanryo-oyobi-Zen-Yondai-no-Tenno-Sanryo-ni-Chokushi-Hakken-no-gi Ceremony to send Imperial Messengers on the mission of reporting the dates of the Sokuirei and the Daijosai and offering gifts at the Jingu as well as at the Imperial Mausoleums of Emperor Jinmu and the four most recent Emperors. Imperial Palace
Jan. 25, 1990 Jingu-ni-Hohei-no-gi Ceremony for the Imperial Messenger to report the dates of the Sokuirei and the Daijosai and to offer gifts at the Jingu. Jingu
Jinmu-Tenno-Sanryo-oyobi-Zen-Yondai-no-Tenno-Sanryo-ni-Hohei-no-gi Ceremony for the Imperial Messengers to report the dates of the Sokuirei and the Daijosai and to offer gifts at the Imperial Mausoleums of Emperor Jinmu and the four most recent Emperors. Each mausoleum
Feb. 8, 1990 Saiden-Tentei-no-gi Ceremony to decide the Provinces of Yuki and Suki (the areas to set up the Saiden, the paddies where rice used for the ceremonies is cultivated). Shinden (Imperial Palace Sanctuaries)
Sep. 28, Oct. 10, 1990 Saiden-Nukiho-no-gi Ceremony to harvest the new rice at the Saiden. Saiden
Nov. 12, 1990 Sokuirei-Tojitsu-Kashikodokoro-Omae-no-gi Ceremony for the Emperor to report the conduct of the Sokuirei at the Kashikodokoro on the day of the Sokuirei. Kashikodokoro (Imperial Palace Sanctuaries)
Sokuirei-Tojitsu-Koreiden-Shinden-ni-Hokoku-no-gi Ceremony for the Emperor to report the conduct of the Sokuirei at the Koreiden and Shinden on the day of the Sokuirei. Koreiden and Shinden (Imperial Palace Sanctuaries)
Sokuirei-Seiden-no-gi Ceremony to proclaim the enthronement and to receive felicitations of representatives from home and abroad. Imperial Palace
Shukuga-Onretsu-no-gi Procession to show the new Emperor to the people of Japan after the Sokuirei-Seiden-no-gi and to receive their good wishes. From Imperial Palace to Akasaka Imperial Residence
Nov. 12~ Nov. 15, 1990 Kyoen-no-gi Court banquets to celebrate the enthronement and receive the congratulations of the guests. Imperial Palace
Nov. 13, 1990 Enyukai (Garden Party) Garden Party for the foreign representatives, including Heads of States, Royal Families, Prime Ministers, and Ambassadors in Japan and other who have attended the Sokuirei. Akasaka Imperial Garden
Nov. 16, 1990 Jingu-ni-Chokushi-Hakken-no-gi Ceremony to dispatch an Imperial Messenger to the Jingu on the mission of reporting the conduct of the Daijosai and to offer gifts. Imperial Palace
Nov. 18, 1990 Ippan-Sanga Event for the Emperor to receive congratulations from the general public after the Sokuirei at the Imperial Palace. Imperial Palace
Nov. 21, 1990 Daijosai-Zen-Ichinichi-Chinkon-no-gi Ceremony to pray for the safety of the Emperor and other persons concerned so that all the ceremonies may be carried out smoothly and safely, held the day before the Daijosai. Imperial Palace
Nov. 22, 1990 Daijosai-Tojitsu-Jingu-ni-Hohei-no-gi Ceremony for the Imperial Messenger to report the conduct of the Daijosai and to offer gifts at the Jingu on the day of the Daijosai. Jingu
Daijosai-Tojitsu-Kashikodokoro-Oomike-Kyoshin-no-gi Ceremony to report to report the conduct of the Daijosai and to offer gifts at the Kashikodokoro on the day of the Daijosai. Kashikodokoro (Imperial Palace Sanctuaries)
Daijosai-Tojitsu-Koreiden-Shinden-ni-Hokoku-no-gi Ceremony to report the conduct of the Daijosai and to offer gifts at the Koreiden and Shinden on the day of the Daijosai. Koreiden and Shinden (Imperial Palace Sanctuaries)
Daijokyu-no-gi (Yukiden-Kyosen-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 himself, giving thanks and praying for peace and abundant harvests for the country and the people. East Gardens of the Imperial Palace
Nov. 23, 1990 Daijokyu-no-gi (Sukiden-Kyosen-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 himself, giving thanks and praying for peace and abundant harvests for the country and the people.
Nov. 24, Nov. 25, 1990 Daikyo-no-gi Grand banquet after the Daijokyu-no-gi, in which the Emperor bestows white sake, black sake and relish upon those present, and all partake together. Imperial Palace
Nov. 27, Nov. 28, 1990 Sokuirei-oyobi-Daijosai-go-Jingu-ni-Shin'etsu-no-gi Ceremony for the Emperor to pay reverence at the Jingu after the Sokuirei and the Daijosai. Jingu
Dec. 2, Dec. 3, Dec 5, 1990 Sokuirei-oyobi-Daijosai-go-Jinmu-Tenno-Sanryo-oyobi-Zen-Yondai-no-Tenno-Sanryo-ni-Goshin'etsu-no-gi Ceremony for the Emperor to pay reverence at the Imperial mausoleums of Emperor Jinmu and the four most recent Emperors after the Sokuirei and the Daijosai. Each mausoleum
Dec. 3, 1990 Chakai (Reception) Reception held during the Emperor's visit to Kyoto, after the Sokuirei and the Daijosai, in which the Emperor invites leaders of various circles in the Kinki region who have been linked with the Imperial household from ancient times. Kyoto Imperial Palace
Dec. 6, 1990 Sokuirei-oyobi-Daijosai-go-Kashikodokoro-ni-Shin'etsu-no-gi Ceremony for the Emperor to pay reverence at the Kashikodokoro after the Sokuirei and the Daijosai. Kashikodokoro (Imperial Palace Sanctuaries)
Sokuirei-oyobi-Daijosai-go-Koreiden-Shinden-ni-Shin'etsu-no-gi Ceremony for the Emperor to pay reverence at the Koreiden and Shinden after the Sokuirei and the Daijosai. Koreiden and Shinden (Imperial Palace Sanctuaries)
Sokuirei-oyobi-Daijosai-go-Kashikodokoro-Mikagura-no-gi Ceremonial performance of Mikagura at the Kashikodokoro after the Sokuirei and the Daijosai. Kashikodokoro (Imperial Palace Sanctuaries)