Imperial New Year Gala: HIM The Empress of Japan, HIH The Princess Akishino, and HIH The Princess Hitachi

More Tiara Alerts for the New Year!  The Imperial family of Japan held a gala to celebrate the New Year, and the whole family busted out the formal headwear.  In the center is our good friend Empress Michiko, wearing the Imperial Chrysanthemum Tiara.  How about the diamonds on this one, hm?  The "Chrysanthemum Throne" is one of the names for the monarchy in Japan, and the chrysanthemum flower is one of its most important emblems.

And we've got two more new princess standing behind Michiko!  Over her right shoulder, in the gold gown, is Princess Kiko, also known as The Princess Akishino (it's sort of like a "Princess of Wales" or "Princess of Asturias" title in a Western royal house, though her husband is not the direct heir).  Kiko is married to the younger son of the Emperor and Empress, and her son, Prince Hisahito, will one day likely inherit the imperial throne.  Kiko is wearing the same diamond tiara that she wore on her wedding day in 1990.  I'm not sure if it has a "title" or not, but if any experts on the imperial family know for sure, please pipe up and let us all know!

And last but not least, I believe that the woman standing directly behind Michiko is Princess Hitachi, who is married to the younger brother of Emperor Akihito.  Born Hanako Tsugaru, she's wearing the Pearl and Diamond Fringe Tiara.

Whew!  What a lot of royal bling!

Thanks to reader Kirsten for sending in info about this event!

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This entry was posted by Ella on Sunday, January 3rd, 2010 at 10:00 PM and is filed under HIH The Princess Akishino, HIH The Princess Hitachi, HIM The Empress of Japan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

5 Responses to “Imperial New Year Gala: HIM The Empress of Japan, HIH The Princess Akishino, and HIH The Princess Hitachi”

  1. JamesB says on January 7th, 2010 at 6:30 AM :

    Wow - some serious tiara and Japanses royalty knowledege here. RESPECT!

  2. Ella says on January 7th, 2010 at 2:55 PM :

    LOL -- thanks, James! *curtseys*

  3. cisca says on January 9th, 2010 at 3:40 PM :

    I love Empress Michiko and Princess Masako but I am unable to understand why a male is necessary to be heir of the throne, even is to be an imperial princess in Japan is a very difficult job.

  4. Anonymous says on January 9th, 2010 at 6:49 PM :

    Yeah, I don't get that either, cisca. It's just sexist, as are most Royal succession laws in the world. I think it sucks and I feel so sorry for Crown Princess Masako because of her stress related illness over producing a male heir.

  5. Liz says on January 10th, 2010 at 2:12 PM :

    It's so rare to see the Japanese royals wearing tiaras that this is something of a special treat!

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