Ceremony of the Kousho Hajime (Imperial New Year's Lectures)
This is a ceremony where the Emperor and Empress listen to lectures on different academic subjects.
The Ceremony of the Kousho Hajime (Imperial New Year's Lecture) is an important ceremony held every January at the Imperial Palace. During this ceremony, the Emperor and Empress listen together to lectures given by experts in different academic fields in Japan.
The academic subjects are largely divided into three categories: the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Each year, specialists in these fields give presentations.
Members of the Imperial Family also attend this ceremony and listen to the lectures together. Ceremony of the Kousho Hajime is a very historical ceremony that has continued since the Meiji era. It all started when Emperor Meiji began the Gokoushakuhajime to respect academics. At that time, explanations were given about old Japanese and Chinese books. Gradually, books from other foreign countries were also included. Now, lectures are chosen from three different fields.
Besides members of the Imperial Family, cabinet ministers and scholars also attend and listen to the lectures together.
