Exhibition Outlines

This spring, Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. This is also a year to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of His Majesty’s Enthronement. On this doubly auspicious occasion, this museum will introduce, in five thematic exhibitions, the activities of Their Majesties who have always cared for the peace of the nation and the happiness of the people. In the first three exhibitions covered by this catalogue, paintings and other items related to the Imperial Wedding, the Enthronement, and Their Majesties’ daily life will be presented.

The Imperial Wedding was held on April 10th, 1959, when people were rejoiced throughout the country. It was a happy event that still remains in many peoples’ memories. In the first exhibition whose theme is the Imperial Wedding, traditional costumes that Their Majesties wore at the ceremony, some of the congratulatory gifts which came from different countries in the world and some other items related to the wedding will remind us of the auspicious occasion.

In 1990, Their Majesties attended various Enthronement ceremonies, wearing in some cases traditional costumes. These ceremonies that have come to take the present form during our country’s long history reminded us once again of the profound nature of Japan’s culture. In the second exhibition, items related to the Enthronement ceremonies will be exhibited.

In the third exhibition, items related to Their Majesties’ daily activities are selected to introduce a glimpse of their everyday life.

Many valuable items will be shown in these exhibitions due to Their Majesties’ deep understanding of the intent of the exhibitions. We hope that the viewers will be able to see some aspects of the life of Their Majesties who always value their contacts with people.