Exhibition Outlines

Every year, many foreign visitors representing their countries come to Japan, such as the sovereigns or Heads of States of various countries. Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress receive them as a part of their important official duties.

Among these visitors, foreign Heads of States or those equivalent, who are officially invited and received by the Japanese Government with the utmost courtesy, are referred to as State Guests. After the war, since the first State Guest was received in 1953, Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun wholeheartedly received these State Guests together. The first State Banquet was held when the Emperor of Ethiopia visited Japan in 1956. After the President of the United States of America visited Japan in 1974, Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun made a return visit to the U.S.A during the next year. In the same year, Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom visited Japan as a return visit towards Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun's visit to the United Kingdom in 1971, which was the first visit they made together to a foreign country. Along with these State Guests, Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun received many equivalent Guests on official visits, and other dignitaries visiting Japan, and established the foundations of the present wide ranged foreign relations of the Imperial Family.

In this exhibition, we will introduce various objects that Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun received as tokens of friendly relations, during receptions of distinguished guests from foreign countries after the war. They are pieces representing their countries' culture, including craft works created with traditional techniques, and works by famous artists. We hope that this exhibition will be a chance to become aware of the foreign relations that Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun fostered, and to enjoy these exotic works obtained through them.