Tokyo

Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako on Tuesday visited the mausoleums of Emperor Showa and Emperor Taisho in Hachioji, Tokyo, as part of the “Shinetsu-no-Gi” ceremony to report the completion of major enthronement-related events.

At both mausoleums, Emperor Naruhito, wearing a morning suit and holding a silk hat, made “tamagushi” Shinto ritual offerings and gave prayers. Empress Masako, in a long dress, did the same after her husband. Emperor Showa and Emperor Taisho are Emperor Naruhito's paternal grandfather and great-grandfather, respectively.

Following his accession to the throne on May 1, Emperor Naruhito held the “Sokuirei-Seiden-no-Gi” ceremony on Oct. 22 to declare his enthronement both at home and abroad, and performed the “Daijosai” grand thanksgiving ceremony on Nov. 14-15.

Also for the Shinetsu-no-Gi ceremony, the Imperial couple late last month visited Ise Jingu, a Shinto shrine complex in the central prefecture of Mie, the mausoleum of Emperor Jinmu, the country's mythical first Emperor, in the western prefecture of Nara, and those of Emperor Komei and Emperor Meiji in neighboring Kyoto Prefecture.

Emperor Komei was the father of Emperor Meiji, the great-great-grandfather of Emperor Naruhito.

On Wednesday, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will offer prayers at the three sanctuaries of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo in the final major event related to the Emperor's enthronement.

Jiji Press