Empress Kōgyoku ( 皇極天皇 , Kōgyoku- tennō , 594–661) , also known as Empress Saimei ( 斉明天皇 , Saimei-tennō ) , was the 35th and 37th monarch of Japan , according to the traditional order of succession . Both her reigns were within the Asuka period .
113-550: The Daijō-sai ( 大嘗祭 ) is a special religious service conducted in November after the enthronement , in which the Emperor of Japan gives thanks for peace of mind and a rich harvest to the solar deity Amaterasu (天照大神) and her associated deities , and pray for Japan and its citizens. From a Shinto viewpoint, the emperor is believed to be united with the deity Amaterasu in a unique way and share in her divinity . In general,
226-479: A great golden Phoenix . At the same time, the empress, in full dress regalia, moved to a smaller adjacent throne beside her husband's. Traditional drums were, at this point of the ceremony, beaten to start the proceedings. The new emperor proceeded to the chair, where after being seated, the Kusanagi , Yasakani no Magatama , privy seal and state seal were placed on stands next to him. A simple wooden sceptre
339-474: A newly published anecdote from "Nairashiki" and its examination has resulted in the almost complete rejection of both the "mashitoko-covering-bedding" theory and the sacred marriage rite theory by the Japanese historical community. The form of the tamesai (= new tasting rice) ceremony was established in the 7th century during the reign of Empress Kōgyoku , but at that time there was still no distinction between
452-640: A number of other rituals and ceremonies that can be performed in Kyoto. The current Imperial Household Law , enacted in 1947 ( Shōwa 22), does not specify the location of the ceremonies; the Heisei and Reiwa accession ceremonies were held at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo , with the former name "Shinden no Gi" replaced by "Shoden no Gi". The ceremony began with an announcement of the due date to Amaterasu ,
565-702: A period of mourning. This period of mourning is called "Ryoami" in Japanese. The most important ceremony of the Coronation is the Shoden Ceremony, in which the Emperor wears a Sokutai sash and the Empress wears a Jūnihitoe . The emperor's sash is called Kourouzen-no-ohô, which can only be worn by the emperor. The Throne used in the Shoden ceremony is called "Takamikura" for the emperor and "Michodai" for
678-412: A ritual bath on the night of the ceremony, the emperor is dressed entirely in the white silk dress of a Shinto priest, but with a special long train. Surrounded by courtiers (some of them carrying torches), the emperor solemnly enters first the enclosure and then each of these huts in turn and performs the same ritual—from 6:30 to 9:30 pm in the first, and in the second from 12:30 to 3:30 am on
791-463: A spectator, not as a participant. In addition, from the late Heian period (after Emperor Horikawa ) onward, the regent was in the middle or lower tier of the high palace, and the sekibaku in Sokutai in the east curtain of the north classic aisle, behind the high palace (to the right when viewed from the south). The regent of Emperor Go-Ichijō , Fujiwara no Michinaga , was also in this position, so it
904-525: Is a collective term for the very few most powerful men attached to the court of the Emperor of Japan in pre- Meiji eras. In general, this elite group included only three to four men at a time. These were hereditary courtiers whose experience and background would have brought them to the pinnacle of a life's career. During Kōgyoku's reign, this apex of the Daijō-kan included: The kugyō during Saimei's reign included: Empress Saimei, born Princess Takara,
1017-406: Is a live-streamed event. It is only performed once during their reign. Akihito performed it in November 1990 and Naruhito on 14 November 2019. The emperor offers gifts such as rice, kelp, millet and abalone to the gods. Then he reads an appeal to the gods and eats the offering and prays. The emperor and empress perform the rites separately. It takes about 3 hours. Over 500 people are present including
1130-426: Is a livestreamed event. It is only performed once during their reign. Akihito performed it on 22-23 November 1990 and Naruhito on 14-15 November 2019. The Emperor offers gifts such as rice , kelp , millet and abalone to the gods. Then he reads an appeal to the gods and eats the offering and prays. The Emperor and Empress perform the rites separately. It takes about 3 hours. Over 500 people are present including
1243-411: Is assigned from a designated prefecture each in the west and east of the country, respectively. Two thatched roof two-room huts (悠紀殿 yukiden , lit. East-region hall) and (主基殿 sukiden , lit. West-region hall) are built within a corresponding special enclosure, using a native Japanese building style that predates and is thus devoid of all Chinese cultural influence. The Yukiden and Sukiden represent
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#17327901709311356-427: Is called Sokui-go-Choken-no-gi (即位後朝見の儀). The new emperor will meet the three chiefs of the tripartite political system as the representatives of citizens for the first time. The third part of the ceremony, called Sokuirei-Seiden-no-gi (即位礼正殿の儀), is the ritual to proclaim and congratulate the enthronement. It is the core part; the last such ceremony was held on October 22, 2019, for Naruhito . This ancient rite
1469-404: Is divided into two rooms, with one room containing a large couch made of tatami mats at its center, in addition to a seat for the emperor and a place to enshrine the kami; the second is used by musicians. All furniture and household items also preserve these earliest, and thus most purely Japanese forms: e.g., all pottery objects are fired but unglazed. These two structures represent the house of
1582-402: Is grown and harvested, it is stored in a special Shinto shrine as its go-shintai (御神体), the embodiment of a kami or divine force. Each kernel must be whole and unbroken, and is individually polished before it is boiled. Some sake is also brewed from this rice. The two sets of rice seedlings now blessed each come from the western and eastern prefectures of Japan, and the chosen rice from these
1695-820: Is highly likely that early regents were in this position as well.) As a rule, throughout the Heian period, the venue for ceremonies was the Daigoku-den Hall of the Chodo-in (the eight sects), but due to the burning of the Daigoku-den, Emperor Yōzei used the Fengakuden Hall. Due to illness, Emperor Reizei ascended the throne in the Shichinden Hall of the Interior , and due to the burning of
1808-476: Is located at the eastern grounds of the Imperial Palace complex. After a ritual bath , the emperor is dressed entirely in the white silk dress of a Shinto priest, but with a special long train. Surrounded by courtiers (some of them carrying torches), the emperor solemnly enters first the enclosure and then each of these huts in turn and performs the same ritual—from 6:30 to 9:30 PM in the first, and in
1921-582: Is one of the reasons why the government has approved the expenditure of government funds for the Omameshigai. However, in 1995, the Osaka High Court [ ja ] rejected the plaintiff's lawsuit, stating that "the tasting of the Heisei era has already been completed and the plaintiff is not disadvantaged," but in a side argument, the court pointed out that "the suspicion of a violation of
2034-500: Is played by the court orchestra the emperor makes an offering of the sacred rice, the sake made from this rice, millet , fish and a variety of other foods from both the land and the sea to the kami, the offerings of east and west being made in their corresponding halls. Then he eats some of this sacred rice himself, as an act of divine communion that consummates his singular unity with Amaterasu-ōmikami, thus making him (in Shinto tradition)
2147-424: Is stored in a special Shinto shrine as its go-shintai (御神体), the embodiment of a kami or divine force. Each kernel must be whole and unbroken, and is individually polished before it is boiled. Some sake is also brewed from this rice. The two sets of rice seedlings now blessed each come from the western and eastern prefectures of Japan, and the chosen rice from these is assigned from a designated prefecture each in
2260-501: Is the motorcade procession. The emperor and empress, now back to wearing formal wear, are then both driven through midst Tokyo toward Akasaka Estate by the state limousine ( 御料車 ) to acknowledge the cheers of the ordinary citizens on the major streets of the capital who have assembled there. As head of state, he also receives the first salutes on that segment by a guard of honour of the Japan Self-Defense Force and
2373-550: The Constitution of Japan as follows: The first is the simplest, Kenji-tō-Shōkei-no-gi (剣璽等承継の儀), it takes place immediately after the death or abdication of the preceding sovereign. The successor is formally presented with boxes containing two of the three items that compose the Imperial Regalia of Japan : (1) a replica sword representing the sword Kusanagi -no-Tsurugi (lit. "Grasscutter Sword") (草薙劍), though
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#17327901709312486-528: The Daijosai is understood as an autumn festival of thanksgiving for the harvest. In fact, there are some similarities in the ritual schedule, and in the same year that Omame-sai is held, Niinamesai is not held. Before the Daiho Ritsuryo , "Otamesai" and "Shinamesai" were different names for the same ritual. Since rituals are a secret affair, there have been various discussions about their contents. In
2599-570: The Daijō-sai was held on the winter solstice (around November in the Lunisolar calendar ). At this point, the emperor's succession to the throne was announced to the world through the presentation of the Imperial Regalia of Japan Later, the accession ceremony was moved up to New Year's Day and preceded the Daijō-sai . Although the details of the ceremony are not clear even in the Chronicles,
2712-567: The Divine Instruments were first given and received, and the ceremony of ascending to the "platform" was held on the same day or later. The first time the rituals were recorded in detail was on New Year's Day 1, the fourth year of Vermilion Bird (February 14, 690). It is the coronation ceremony of Empress Jitō . At this time, the ceremony is as follows At this point, the Tenjin Jyushi had been recited twice, along with
2825-574: The Grand Shrine of Ise , as the traditional gagaku court music is played by the court orchestra the emperor makes an offering of the sacred rice, the sake made from this rice, millet , fish and a variety of other foods from both the land and the sea to the kami, the offerings of east and west being made in their corresponding halls. Then he eats some of this sacred rice himself, as an act of divine communion that consummates his singular unity with Amaterasu-ōmikami, thus making him (in Shinto tradition)
2938-775: The Imperial Guard Headquarters of the National Police Agency ( 皇宮警察本部 ). In the case of Naruhito , the parade was postponed to 10 November 2019, with consideration about the enormous damage of Reiwa 1 East Japan Typhoon . As the state limousine, a specially coach worked Toyota Century Royal was prepared. In this ceremony, the Imperial Household Agency and constables of the Imperial Guard Headquarters provided guards of honor and security while
3051-733: The Nara era to the Heian era of the Heijo , the site for the Taimae Ceremony was the Ryuo-dan garden in the front yard of Chodoin, located in the southern center of the Ouchiura . The first two are the first two. After the burning down of Chodoin at the end of the Heian period, it was still built roughly on the former site of Daigoku-den, under the Ryuo-dan. During the reign of Emperor Antoku ,
3164-571: The Prime Minister , government officials, representatives of state and private sector firms, society groups and members of the press. It originates as a Shinto rite from at least the 7th century. It is held as a private event by the Imperial Household so that it does not violate the separation of church and state . A special complex with over 30 structures (大嘗宮, daijōkyū ) is built for the event. Afterward, they are accessible to
3277-402: The Prime Minister , government officials, representatives of state and private sector firms, society groups and members of the press. It originates as a Shinto rite from at least the 7th century. It is held as a private event by the Imperial Household, in order that it does not violate the separation of church and state . A special complex with over 30 structures (大嘗宮, daijōkyū ) are built for
3390-660: The Three Palace Sanctuaries , where the annual Niinamesai is held, without building a large daijokyu?" If Prince Fumihito Akishino were to become emperor, he has proposed a plan similar to that of Prince Takamatsu, that the expenses for the Daijosai be paid from the national budget, and that they be covered by the expenses of the Imperial Court by utilizing the Shinkaden, a smaller building near
3503-552: The Tokyo Imperial Palace . The Daijō-sai (大嘗祭) is a special religious service conducted in November after the enthronement, in which the emperor thanks peace of mind and rich harvest to the Solar deity Amaterasu (天照大神) and surrounding deities, and pray for Japan and its citizens. From Shinto viewpoint, the emperor is believed to be united to deity Amaterasu in a unique way to share in her divinity . In general,
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3616-529: The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department 's Police band and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Music Corps played suitable music. The fifth is the official banquet, called Kyouen-no-gi (饗宴の儀), which is the occasion to announce and celebrate the enthronement, and to receive the felicitations of the guests to be held within Tokyo Imperial Palace . A banquet is hosted by the Prime Minister and their spouse in Tokyo to thank
3729-613: The Yōrō Code's provisions for the transfer of the Sword and Seal and the Tenjin jubilee were removed, and the ceremony took on a more continental style, with the Son of Heaven facing south and wearing ceremonial dress. However, by the middle of the Heian period , this form had already broken down, and the pseudo-attendants in the palace (in the early Heian period, the head of the palace was called
3842-471: The intermediary between Amaterasu and the Japanese people. The significance of the offerings and the ceremonial dinner of the tithes is as an act of thanksgiving to Amaterasu and Tenjin Jigami , the ancestors of the Emperor, and as a prayer for the nation and its people's peace and good harvests in his reign. He then prays to the gods in gratitude, and then leaves the huts so that the Empress may then performs
3955-433: The intermediary between Amaterasu and the Japanese people. He then prays to the gods in gratitude, and then leaves the huts. Empress K%C5%8Dgyoku Kōgyoku's reign spanned the years from 642 to 645. Her reign as Saimei encompassed 655 to 661. In other words, The two reigns of this one woman spanned the years from 642 through 661. In the history of Japan , Kōgyoku/Saimei was the second of eight women to take on
4068-414: The sakaki flag. On August 17, Keio 4 (gregorian calendar: 2 October 1868), he announced that his coronation would take place ten days later, on 27 August (12 October 1868), and related ceremonies began on August 21. On the 27th, the next day after the imperial envoy was sent to Emperor Sutoku to read out the decree in front of his spirit on the 26th of the same month, the anniversary of his death, and on
4181-480: The "prince's deputy" because the prince was in charge, and there were a total of six people on either side, consisting of three deputy attendants and a shonagon) were joined by the uchi-ben (equivalent to a superior lord), sotoben (an official who attended the ceremony in general, but only those who were designated to do so), and sotoben (an official who attended the ceremony in general, but only those who were designated to do so). Only nominated persons stand. No one below
4294-518: The Asakura Palace before the army departed to Korea . In October her body was brought from Kyūshū by sea to Port Naniwa-zu (today Osaka city ); and her state funeral was held in early November. Empress Saimei ruled for seven years. The years of Saimei's reign are not linked by scholars to any era or nengō . The Taika era innovation of naming time periods – nengō – languished until Mommu reasserted an imperial right by proclaiming
4407-535: The Constitution cannot be denied in general." On 10 December 2018, 241 plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against the government in the Tokyo District Court seeking an injunction to stop the government from spending money and compensation for damages on the grounds that the implementation of the "Rei (retirement)", "Sokui-no-rei (enthronement)", and "Taitei-Matsuri (tasting of rice)" ceremonies following
4520-584: The Dai-namesai. In the Yōrō Code (720), it is also stated that It is clear that the transfer of sacred artifacts took place after the jubilee. However, at the time of the succession to the throne of Emperor Kanmu in the first year of the reign of 781, the enthronement was followed by the Imperial Rescript at Daikoku-den (大黒殿) which effectively separated the Sensō [ ja ] from
4633-728: The Daigoku-den, Emperor Go-Sanjō moved to the Emperor Antoku used Hall of Capital in the Inner Palace. Since the Daigoku-den Hall fell into disuse after the Great Fire of Angen in 1176, all emperors from the Kamakura period to Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado of the mid Muromachi period , with the exception of Go-Murakami , Chōkei , and Go-Kameyama of the Southern Court , who were not in Kyoto. After Go-Kashiwabara ,
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4746-535: The Daijosai is considered as a kind of thanksgiving harvest festival, in the same way as Niiname-sai (新嘗祭) is conducted annually on 23 November, a public holiday of Labor Thanksgiving Day . However, in the year the Daijō-sai is held, the Niiname-sai (新嘗祭) is not held. The emperor and empress both perform the Daijosai ceremony in November after ascending the throne in a partly televised ceremony and since 2019 it
4859-425: The Daijosai is considered as a kind of thanksgiving harvest festival, in the same way as Niiname-sai (新嘗祭) is conducted annually on November 23, a public holiday of Labor Thanksgiving Day . Actually, in the year the Daijō-sai is held, the Niiname-sai (新嘗祭) is not held. The Emperor and Empress both perform the Daijosai ceremony in November after ascending the throne in a partly televised ceremony and since 2019 it
4972-503: The East Palace Garden was not closed during the 2021 Daijosai, and the construction of the daijokyu was open for all to see, in order to "deepen the public's understanding of the expenditure of national funds for the Daijosai." It was also decided that after the Daijosai, the daijokyu would remain open to the public as it had been during construction, and that materials would be reused after dismantling. Enthronement of
5085-676: The Emperor wished to transfer the throne to the Crown Prince and to restore the Great Tamesai Ceremony, and had the Shogunate negotiate with the Emperor. At that time, he explained in the form of a precedent that the tame-matsuri should be held upon the accession of the crown prince to the throne. The Shogunate, which had been at loggerheads with the Imperial Court due to the Murasaki Incident and other events,
5198-642: The Grand Council of State was not rebuilt, and the Hall of Capital was used, where it remained until Emperor Meiji . In the Middle Ages and later (the first example is said to be Emperor Go-Sanjō , but it is said to have become customary after Emperor Go-Fukakusa ), a Buddhist -style ceremony called the Accession ceremony was also held. This style was continued until the late Edo period . Although
5311-466: The Great Taste of Rice Ceremony was held for the first time in 221 years. However, due to budgetary constraints, the reconstruction was a shortened version at this point. When the next generation Emperor Nakamikado succeeded to the throne, Daijosai was not held. This is attributed to the pledge during the reign of Emperor Reigen. At the time of the succession to the throne of Emperor Sakuramachi ,
5424-504: The Heian period (794–1185), they were officially called "Otamesai" and "Shintamesai," but in most diaries, "Otamesai" and "Shintame-kai" are used. This indicates that one of the most important components of the tasting of taro and the tasting of shin-tame was the "meeting". However, in the late Muromachi Period and the Sengoku Period , the shogunate was weakened by warfare, and the imperial court became impoverished, which hampered
5537-720: The Japanese emperor Enthronement ( 即位の礼 , Sokui no rei ) is an ancient ceremony that marks the accession of a new emperor to Japan's Chrysanthemum Throne , the world's oldest continuous hereditary monarchy . Various ancient imperial regalia (three sacred treasures) are given to the new sovereign during the course of the rite. It is the most important out of the Japanese Imperial Rituals . The most recent enthronement took place on 22 October 2019 to enthrone Emperor Naruhito . The enthronement ceremony consist of five sub-ceremonies, which are conducted as constitutional functions ( 国事行為 ) based on Article 3 of
5650-459: The Tenpō calendar (Gregorian calendar). On 13 February 1867 ( lunar calendar : December 25, Keio 2), following the death of the 121st Emperor Komei , his son, Crown Prince Mutsuhito succeeded to the throne, becoming the 122nd Emperor of Japan. Initially, the accession ceremony was scheduled to take place in November, but it was postponed due to the many difficulties in the country's affairs amidst
5763-599: The Three Palace Sanctuaries used for the ordinary Niinamesai. The government and the Imperial Household Agency followed the precedent of the Heisei era and spent money from the national budget, but changed the roof of the daijokyu, which had previously been thatching , to shingles , and reduced expenses by building some facilities such as the kashiwaya (kitchens for the offerings of food to be prepared in) in reinforced concrete under
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#17327901709315876-716: The abdication of Emperor Akihito and accession of Crown Prince Naruhito , under the provisions of the Special Act on the Imperial Household Law concerning the Abdication of the Emperor, violates the Constitutional provision stipulating separation of church and state. Emperor Shōwa reportedly told his aides that they should save and accumulate the money for the inner court. Nobuhito, Prince Takamatsu once suggested, "Why don't we just do it at
5989-668: The ancestor deity of the Emperor , and successive emperors, followed by a report to the Three Palaces in the Imperial Palace, and an imperial proclamation to the Ise Grand Shrine . In accordance with the Tengoku Order, the period from Spring to Autumn is designated as the time of accession, and for one year after the Collapse of the previous emperor, the accession ceremony and the Daijō-sai are not held as
6102-468: The capital was temporarily relocated to Fukuhara-kyō and was postponed due to the death of Emperor Takakura , but was finally moved to Emperor Go-Shirakawa by the ruling of Emperor Shirakawa . The ceremony was held in 1182 (Juei 1), but due to the current circumstances, including the Genpei War (Genpei War), it was held at Shikikakuden. When Emperor Higashiyama was reestablished, perhaps because
6215-542: The case of Emperor Ogimachi , the imperial treasury was unable to contribute to the cost of the coronation, and the ceremony was held with the assistance of Mōri Motonari . However, despite many difficulties, the ceremony has been performed without fail in every generation, except for Emperor Chūkyō , who only reigned for a short time due to the Jōkyū War . After the Jokyu Rebellion, when Emperor Shijō ascended to
6328-444: The commencement of Taihō in 701. The actual site of Kōgyoku/Saimei's grave is known, having been identified as the Kengoshizuka tomb in the village of Asuka , Nara Prefecture . This empress is traditionally venerated at a memorial Shinto shrine ( misasagi ) at Nara. The Imperial Household Agency designates this location as Kōgyoku/Seimei's mausoleum . It is formally named Ochi-no-Okanoe no misasagi . Kugyō (公卿)
6441-447: The coronation ceremony is one of the most important Emperor events, the Emperor Go-Kashiwabara of the Sengoku period 1500 (Meiou 9), but was unable to perform the ceremonies, and in 1521 (Daiei Gen), he performed the coronation ceremony in his 22nd year on the throne, based on assistance from the Muromachi shogunate and others. The direct trigger for the ceremony was the shogunate's donation of 20,000 rolls of rice, but in reality, it
6554-423: The coronation ceremony, and nobles who did not have that role, even ministers, watched from inside the draperies on either side of the high throne. The coronation ceremony of Emperor Go-Ichijō on February 7, 1016 (Chōwa 5), was conducted by Dainagon , Fujiwara no Sanesuke , a major figure in the Royal court , wrote in detail in his diary, "Shōyūki", because Sanesuke was able to observe the coronation ceremony as
6667-445: The day of the coronation, the decree was read out by the decree envoy, the first person in attendance read out the Norito , and an ancient song was sung. Then they all chanted "Hai" and the ceremony ended. August 21, 1868 (October 6, 1868) ** Imperial envoy dispatched to Emperor Jimmu's tomb, Emperor Tenchi's tomb, and the tomb of the previous three emperors. August 23 (October 8, the same year) ** Enthronement ceremony Emperor Taisho
6780-423: The decision of the Japanese Supreme Court in July 1977, "The separation of church and state in the Constitution does not mean that the state is not allowed to have relations with religion at all, but that it is not allowed when it is deemed to exceed reasonable limits. It does not allow the state to have relations with religion at all, but only in cases where such relations are deemed to exceed reasonable limits." This
6893-450: The east and west halves of Japan, respectively. Each hall is divided into two rooms, with one room containing a large couch made of tatami mats at its center, in addition to a seat for the emperor and a place to enshrine the kami; the second is used by musicians. All furniture and household items also preserve these earliest, and thus most purely Japanese forms: e.g., all pottery objects are fired but unglazed. These two structures represent
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#17327901709317006-427: The eastern grounds of the Imperial Palace complex. This ceremony, also known as O-ni-e-matsuri (大嘗祭) and O-name-matsuri (大嘗まつり (大嘗祭) is marked as an Imperial court ritual performed by the Emperor of Japan upon his succession to the throne, and is an Imperial Household Ritual . In olden times, it was also called "Ohonimatsuri" or "Ohonamatsuri". In modern times, however, it is read phonetically as "Daijosai". After
7119-465: The emperor and a few Shinto priests. First came a three-hour ceremony in which the new emperor ritually informed his ancestors that the enthronement is about to take place. This was followed by the enthronement itself, which takes place per tradition in an enclosure called the Takamikura , containing a great square pedestal upholding three octagonal pedestals topped by a simple chair. This was surrounded by an octagonal pavilion with curtains, surmounted by
7232-406: The empress. It is built on three layers of black-painted sandalwood with an octagonal roof, and decorated with Phoenixs , Mirrors , and other ornaments. It is 5.9 meters high, 6 meters wide, and weighs 8 tons. Since the Tempō calendar was in use at the time of the coronation of the 122nd and Meiji Emperor, and the dates differ from the current Gregorian calendar , they are listed in the order of
7345-402: The enthronement. In the 8th year of extension (930), the Sensō [ ja ] and Enthronement were effectively separated. Furthermore, when Emperor Suzaku succeeded to the throne in 930, Sensō [ ja ] and enthronement were explicitly separated. In the 870s, the Teikan Ritual and the 11th century Eke Yosei, the accession ceremony was clearly defined as follows. Here,
7458-407: The event. Afterward, they are accessible to the public for a few weeks and then dismantled. In 1990, the ritual cost more than 2.7 billion yen ($ 24.7 million). Details First, two special rice paddies (斎田, saiden ) are chosen and purified by elaborate Shinto purification rites. The families of the farmers who are to cultivate the rice in these paddies must be in perfect health. Once the rice
7571-413: The festival was named the "Shansho Otamesai" as a once-in-a-generation ritual, and the details of the ceremony, including the ritual procedures, were also established. Of the ceremonial rites stipulated in the Engi-Shiki , only the Omamesai was designated as a "daisai" (ritual of the Great Taste of Rice). The name "Dajo-e" was derived from the fact that a three-day long festival was held after the tasting of
7684-434: The first taro. Later on, the ordinary tamesai (= new tamesai) was sometimes referred to as "the annual tamesai" and the practice of tamesai as "the tamesai of every generation". Originally, in the Chronicles of Japan, the tame and the new tame were neither referred to as "festival" nor "assembly. They are simply described as "ote" and "shintame. In the Nara period (710–794), they were called "Otame-kai" and "Shintame-kai," and in
7797-418: The first year of Ansei (1854), the ledger used for the annual festivities was called Takamiza. Since the costumes and decorations that were considered to be in the Tang style were completely abolished, the ceremonial dress was abolished and the sash, which had been the second formal dress after the ceremonial dress since the Heian period, was used. Flags of honor in the garden were also abolished and replaced by
7910-416: The foreign heads of State and other dignitaries for visiting Japan, and to foster a greater understanding of Japan by presenting displays of traditional Japanese culture. This banquet is an event out of the scope of constitutional functions (国事行為). As far as the records in the Kiki are concerned, the coronation ceremony was held on the first day of the year, but it is believed that when the calendar system
8023-413: The founder of the imperial dynasty. Unlike other monarchies, Japan has no crown in its regalia. In the 2019 enthronement ceremony of Naruhito , the treasures were presented to the new emperor in the morning of his ascension date. The visits to the Ise Grand Shrine by Imperial messengers and priests , as well as to the tombs of the previous four emperors, continued on as in past enthronements. The second
8136-480: The general public was able to watch the accession ceremony at the Kyoto Imperial Palace by purchasing stamps (a kind of ticket). Nomiya Sadaharu, who was not involved in the ceremonies at the time of the accession to the throne of Empress Go-Sakuramachi but only attended the ceremony to see the empress off, was upset that many ordinary court nobles were not allowed to observe the ceremony because of
8249-401: The house of the preceding emperor and that of the new emperor. In earlier times, when the head of a household died his house was burned; before the founding of Kyoto , whenever an emperor died his entire capital city was burned as a rite of purification. As in the earlier ceremony, the two houses represent housing styles from western and eastern parts of Japan. Since 1990, the temporary enclosure
8362-412: The imperial court initially declined the offer from the shogunate side, but eventually the imperial court side revived Niiname-no-Matsuri . There was an offer, and after negotiations between the imperial courts, the Daijosai was held again in 1738, three years after the succession to the throne, and after that, the Daijosai was held without interruption every time it was replaced. It came to be done. From
8475-535: The imperial rites. The tame festival was held until 1466, the first year of Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado 's reign, but after the outbreak of the Onin War the following year, it became impossible to collect temporary expenses (tame-kaiyaku). For more than a year, he was forced to abort. In August 1545, Emperor Go-Nara wrote a decree to the Ise Jingu Shrine to pray for the restoration of the imperial family and
8588-538: The large number of "samurai slaves" and "miscellaneous people", but that the shogunate's envoys were allowed to see the ceremony unofficially in the Capital Hall. After the Meiji Restoration , a series of ceremonies related to the senso [ ja ] and accession of the emperor were established by the enactment of the former Imperial Household Law and the Tengoku Order. In addition, there are
8701-585: The occasion of the Heisei Daijosai, the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace were completely closed as an anti-terrorist measure during the construction of the Imperial Palace, due to the active anti-emperor extremist movement at the time, and once completed, the main buildings were covered with large protective tents of extremely solid construction, and four 2,500-liter Fire prevention tanks and fire pumps were installed in four locations. In contrast,
8814-429: The offering of sacred food and a communal meal ritual. This view, that the emperor enjoys the divine authority of Amaterasu by enhancing the divine authority of Amaterasu, is consistent with the common view before Orikuchi, as well as the view of Middle Ages lords such as Ichijō Kaneyoshi . Okada Shoji also noted that the feast of Omameshi-Matsuri is not only to give thanks for the rice harvest, but also for millet, which
8927-556: The original is allegedly enshrined at Atsuta Shrine in Nagoya ; and (2) the Yasakani no magatama (八尺瓊曲玉), a necklace of comma-shaped stone beads . The third and most important of the items of the regalia is the mirror Yata no Kagami (八咫鏡), which is enshrined in the Ise Grand Shrine as the go-shintai (御神体), or the embodiment of the Sun goddess herself. It is permanently housed in
9040-476: The past, the theory of the "bedding over the bedding" advocated by Orikuchi Nobuo , that is, a ritual in which the emperor's spirit is put on the new emperor by reproducing the scene of Amagasaki in Japanese mythology , was proposed. The hypothesis was supported, and research was conducted in the form of development or modification of the hypothesis. In 1983, Okada Seiji sharply criticized this theory, advocating
9153-639: The people, and at the same time to apologize for the inability to hold the tame-matsuri ceremony. After domestic stability was restored by the Oryoho regime and the Tokugawa Shogunate, there was a period of time when the tasting of the tithes was not practiced, but Emperor Reigen was intent on reviving the imperial rites, and first restored the rite of the Crown Prince Asahito in 1683, the first time in approximately 340 years. In 1684,
9266-402: The preceding emperor and that of the new emperor. In earlier times, when the head of a household died his house was burned; before the founding of Kyoto , whenever an emperor died his entire capital city was burned as a rite of purification. As in the earlier ceremony, the two houses represent housing styles from western and eastern parts of Japan. Since 1990, the temporary enclosure is located at
9379-403: The premise that it was acceptable as long as it didn't alter the rituals or serve as an impediment to them. The original planned construction cost of the daijokyu was 1.97 billion yen, actually in 2019 (the first year of the 2025 Shimizu Corporation won the bid for 957 million yen, 60% of the planned price, in a competitive bidding process held at the Imperial Household Agency on 10 May 2019. On
9492-475: The public for a few weeks and then dismantled. In 1990, the ritual cost more than 2.7 billion yen ($ 24.7 million). The Daijosai is a highly secret ritual that very few people know the full details of, this has led to controversy with some claiming it violates Women's rights , and Article 20 of the Japanese constitution , which separates religion from government. In general, like the Niinamesai ,
9605-518: The rank of a nobleman is allowed to attend. One of the sotoben became the missionary. (From the Middle Ages to the early modern period, it was common for the soto-ben to consist of two each of the daimon, chunagon, and councilors.) In the Middle Ages and early modern times, the sotoben were usually two each from the daionnagon, chunnagon, and counselor. Only a limited number of nobles and officials, such as those in charge of ceremonies, participated in
9718-536: The rapid changes in the times, including the return of power by Tokugawa Yoshinobu . In May of the following year, 1868, in order to proclaim the arrival of a new era, the new Meiji government decided to hold a new coronation ceremony appropriate to the changes, and appointed the Tsuwano Domain lord and Department of The Tsuwano Domain and deputy governor of the Department of Divinities , Kamei Korekan,
9831-526: The regular tamesai (= new tasting rice) ceremony and the Jinsō tamesai ceremony. The first time that a ceremony of a different scale was held in addition to the regular Omamesai was during the reign of Emperor Tenmu . However, at that time, it was not yet a once-in-a-generation event associated with accession to the throne, but was held several times during the reign. With the establishment of the Ritsuryo system,
9944-473: The rite of holy matrimony, and it gained a certain amount of support in the Japanese historical community. However, from 1989 to 1990, Shoji Okada published an essay that rejected both the "makuro-covered bedding ( 真床覆衾 ) " theory and the sacred marriage rite theory. According to Okada Shoji's theory, the Omamesai is a simple ritual in which the new emperor welcomes Amaterasu for the first time, centering on
10057-547: The role of empress regnant . The sole female monarch before Kōgyoku/Saimei was Suiko -tennō . The six female sovereigns reigning after Kōgyoku/Saimei were Jitō , Genmei , Genshō , Kōken/Shōtoku , Meishō , and Go-Sakuramachi . Before her ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne , her personal name ( imina ) was Takara ( 宝 ) . As empress, her name would have been Ametoyo Takara Ikashi Hitarashi hime ( 天豐財重日足姬 ) . Princess Takara ( Takara no miko )
10170-517: The same ceremonial protocol there before departing the complex. Some members of the public, including Christian and Buddhist officials, are of the opinion that government spending on the Omameshi-Matsuri and the participation of prefectural governors in the Omameshi-Matsuri are unconstitutional due the Constitution's principle of a separation of church and state. Some Constitutional lawsuits [ ja ] have been filed from
10283-435: The same night. A mat is unrolled before him and then rolled up again as he walks, so that his feet never touch the ground. A special umbrella is held over the sovereign's head, in which the shade hangs from a phoenix carved at the end of the pole and prevents any defilement of his sacred person coming from the air above him. Kneeling on a mat situated to face the Grand Shrine of Ise , as the traditional gagaku court music
10396-404: The second from 12:30 to 3:30 AM on the same night. A mat is unrolled before him and then rolled up again as he walks, so that his feet never touch the ground. A special umbrella is held over the sovereign's head, in which the shade hangs from a phoenix carved at the end of the pole and prevents any defilement of his sacred person coming from the air above him. Kneeling on a mat situated to face
10509-497: The shrine, and is not presented to the emperor for the enthronement ceremony. Imperial messengers and priests are sent to this shrine, as well as to the tomb-shrines of the four emperors whose reigns immediately preceded his, to inform them of the new emperor's accession. The three items of the imperial regalia were originally said to have been given by the Sun goddess, Amaterasu , to her grandson when he first descended to earth and became
10622-790: The site of Daigoku-den was not yet clear, he followed the precedent set by Emperor Antoku and used the forecourt of Shikikakuden, leading to the Meiji period. In the Meiji period (1868–1912), the accession ceremony was held in Shikikinden, but the tamesai ceremony was held at the Fukiage Palace in Tokyo. During the Taishō and Shōwa eras, the former Sentō Gosho in the Omiya Gosho in Kyoto
10735-447: The throne, spectators crowded into the garden, and even after this, there are articles in the court nobles' diaries that suggest that the rituals were hindered by spectators. On the occasion of the accession to the throne of Emperor Go-Kashiwabara , it is said that spectators gathered "like a haze of clouds. In keeping with this tradition, recent research has shown that during the Edo period ,
10848-399: The viewpoint of this separation of church and state, but all the lawsuits have been dismissed. These plaintiffs were defeated due to the judgment that the expenditure of state funds did not disadvantage the plaintiffs and that the governors' attendance did not violate the separation of church and state in light of the purpose-effect standard of the separation of church and state According to
10961-421: The west and east of the country, respectively. Two thatched roof two-room huts (悠紀殿 yukiden, lit. East-region hall) and (主基殿 sukiden, lit. West-region hall) are built within a corresponding special enclosure, using a native Japanese building style that predates and is thus devoid of all Chinese cultural influence. The Yukiden and Sukiden represent the east and west halves of Japan, respectively. Each hall
11074-568: Was Naka no Ōe. When Naka no Ōe's mother re-ascended, he continued in the role of her heir and crown prince. In this role, he could and did remain active in the political life of Japan. In the fifth year of Saimei's reign, Paekche in Korea was destroyed in 660. Japan assisted Paekche loyals in an attempt to aid the revival of Paekche dynasty. Early in 661, Saimei responded to the situation by leaving her capital in Yamato Province . Her plan
11187-502: Was a great-granddaughter of Emperor Bidatsu . During her first reign the Soga clan seized power. Her son Naka no Ōe planned a coup d'état and slew Soga no Iruka at the court in front of her throne. The Empress, shocked by this incident, abdicated the throne. Kōgyoku's contemporary title would not have been tennō , as most historians believe this title was not introduced until the reigns of Emperor Tenmu and Empress Jitō . Rather, it
11300-410: Was an emergency food for the common people in ancient times, and that Omameshi-Matsuri is a prayer for the stability of the people and the prevention of natural disasters that would disturb agriculture. He opined that it is "a prayer for the calming of nature in mountains and rivers" and "the nation's highest ritual to pray for the peace of the nation and its people". Later, Masahiro Nishimoto introduced
11413-668: Was appointed as the Imperial Accession Ceremony Coordinator. Iwakura Tomomi ordered Kamei to abolish the Tang-style rituals and restore the old style. As a symbol of the new era, the Globe was used in the ceremony to make the emperor's prestige known to the world. Since the Takamiza used for the accession to the throne of Emperor Takamyo had been lost in the fire that destroyed the inner palace in
11526-400: Was enthroned on 10 November 1915 at the Kyoto Imperial Palace . Empress Teimei was absent because she was pregnant with their fourth child ( Takahito, Prince Mikasa ). Emperor Showa was enthroned on 10 November 1928 at the Kyoto Imperial Palace . Emperor Akihito was enthroned on 12 November 1990 at the Tokyo Imperial Palace . Emperor Naruhito was enthroned on 22 October 2019 at
11639-457: Was imported from the Sui dynasty during the reign of Empress Suiko , the accession to the throne on the first day of the year was adopted, following the example of the continental emperors. Prior to this, the coronation ceremony was integrated with the Daijō-sai , in which the new emperor appeared before his subjects after receiving the spiritual authority of Amaterasu at a festival the day after
11752-477: Was not possible to carry out the ceremony with just that money, as the shogunate had donated money several times since the Bunki era, and the Imperial Court had accumulated tools prepared with donations from Honganji and others. Emperor Go-Nara's accession to the throne was postponed for about ten years due to lack of funds, even though there were many items left over from the accession of Emperor Go-Kashiwabara . In
11865-496: Was precisely synchronized, so that Japanese around the world could join in the "Banzai" shout at precisely the moment that it was being offered in Kyoto or in Tokyo. This moment of the rite ends with the firing of a 21-gun salute by the Japan Self-Defense Forces . After this, both seals and the two regalia items are carried off the imperial pavilion. The fourth, called Shukuga-Onretsu-no-gi ( 祝賀御列の儀 ),
11978-467: Was presented to the emperor, who faced his prime minister standing in an adjacent courtyard, representing the Japanese people. The emperor offered an address announcing his accession to the throne, calling upon his subjects to single-mindedly assist him in attaining all of his aspirations. His prime minister replied with an address promising fidelity and devotion, followed by a " three cheers of Banzai " from all of those present. The timing of this last event
12091-470: Was presumably Sumeramikoto or Amenoshita Shiroshimesu Ōkimi (治天下大王), meaning "the Great Queen who rules all under Heaven ". Alternatively, Kōgyoku might have been referred to as (ヤマト大王/大君) or the "Great Queen of Yamato". Empress Kōgyoku reigned for four years. The years of Kōgyoku's reign are not linked by scholars to any era or nengō . The Taika era innovation of naming time periods – nengō –
12204-402: Was reluctant to request the same ceremonial protocol as in the previous case (when Emperor Reigen ascended to the throne), but after negotiations, the reestablishment was approved on condition that the entire budget for the succession to the throne be paid in the same amount as in the previous case. In 1687, the emperor abdicated and the crown prince acceded to the throne (Emperor Higashiyama), and
12317-500: Was the daughter of Prince Chinu, a grandson of Emperor Bidatsu , and his princess consort. Firstly, she married Prince Takamuku and had a son. Secondly, the princess married Prince Toneri who also was Emperor Bidatsu's grandson.The marriage produced one daughter and two sons who both ascended the throne in the future. Unless otherwise noted (as BC), years are in CE / AD Imperial Consort and Regent Empress Jingū
12430-590: Was to lead a military expedition to Korea. The empress stayed in Ishiyu Temporary Palace in Iyo Province , today Dōgo Onsen . In May she arrived at Asakura Palace in the north part of Tsukushi province in Kyūshū , today a part of Fukuoka Prefecture . The allied army of Japan and Baekje was preparing for war against Silla , but the death of the empress thwarted those plans. In 661, Saimei died in
12543-470: Was traditionally held in Kyoto , the former capital of Japan; beginning in 1990, it is done in Tokyo . The 1990 enthronement of Akihito was the first to be covered on television, and have Imperial Guards in political traditional uniforms. It was done indoors, with the elevated stand placed inside the Imperial Palace complex. Only part of the ritual is public, and the regalia itself is generally seen only by
12656-402: Was used under the "Togoku Order". Since the Heisei era, the ceremony has again been held at the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. First, two special rice paddies (斎田, saiden ) are chosen and purified by elaborate Shinto purification rites. The families of the farmers who are to cultivate the rice in these paddies must be in perfect health. Once the rice is grown and harvested, it
12769-450: Was yet to be initiated during her son's too-brief reign. In this context, Brown and Ishida's translation of Gukanshō offers an explanation about the years of Empress Jitō's reign which muddies a sense of easy clarity in the pre-Taiho time-frame: The years of Kōgyoku's reign are not more specifically identified by more than one era name or nengō which was an innovation of Kōtoku's brief reign. When Kōtoku died, his designated heir
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