Category Archives: Japan

Imperial Royals Remember Prince Katsura

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This week marked the first anniversary since the passing of Prince Katsura. On Monday, members of the Japanese royal family gathered at the Imperial Cemetary in Tokyo to take part in a memorial service. The Imperial princesses paid respect in mourning dress with veiled black pillbox and bumper hats.

Princess Yuriko of Mikasa, June 8, 2015 | Royal HatsThe late Prince’s parents, Prince Takahito and Princess Yuriko of Mikasa

Princess Yoko and Princess Akiko of Mikasa, June 8, 2015 | Royal Hats

Princess Yoko and Princess Akiko of Mikasa

Princess Tsuguko, June 8, 2015 | Royal Hats   Princess Hisako, June 8, 2015 | Royal Hats

Princess Tsuguko with her mother, Princess Hisako of Takamado

Princess Kiko, June 8, 2015 | Royal Hats   Sayako Kurado, June 8, 2015 | Royal Hats

Princess Kiko, Prince Fumihito; Sayako Kuroda (previously Princess Sayako)

Crown Princess Masako, June 8, 2015 | Royal HatsCrown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako 

Yesterday, Princess Akiko, who acted as chief mourner at her uncle’s funeral last year, was joined by the Emperor and Empress for a visit to Prince Katsura’s tomb inside the Imperial Cemetery. For this traditional visit, Princess Akiko repeated a black silk pillbox hat with a blusher-length veil.

Princess Akiko, June 9, 2015 | Royal Hats

Photos from Asahi; Jiji; Sankei; and Getty as indicated

Imperial Royals Host Philippine State Visit

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The Japanese Imperial couple welcomed Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino on state visit to Japan today. For the official welcoming ceremony held at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Empress Michiko repeated the white and grey saucer hat she premièred just a week ago. In white silk to match the lapel as her suit, Michiko’s saucer hat was trimmed with silk flowers and a small grey under brim that peeked out beneath a flat bow around the front of the hat. Interestingly, when the Empress first wore her grey suit in mid-May, it was with a different piece of millinery (and she débuted this hat it was paired with a different suit!). With a wardrobe of numerous white and grey hats, it is no surprise to see a little mixing and matching from time to time.

Empress Michiko, June 3, 2015 | Royal HatsEmpress Michiko, June 3, 2015 | Royal HatsEmpress Michiko, June 3, 2015 | Royal HatsDesigner: unknown. Likely Akio Hirata
Previously Worn: May 26, 2015

Photos from Sankei and Asahi 

Imperial Royals Attend War Memorials

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A pair of war memorials in Tokyo over the past two days have been attended by members of the Imperial Royal Family. Yesterday, Prince Fumihito and HIH Princess Kiko of Akishino attended a service paying tribute to unidentified Japanese victims of war at Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery. For this ceremony, Princess Kiko wore a simple Bowler style hat with short brim and band around the base of the crown.

Princess Kiko, May 25, 2015 | Royal Hats

Today, the Emperor and Empress were on hand to lay a floral tribute at a service commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Great Tokyo Air Raid at Tokyo Memorial Hall (the resting place of the ashes of more than 1000 victims of the bombing). For this memorial event, Empress Michiko topped her white suit with a new rimmed saucer hat trimmed with a flat bow around the front of the hat.

Empress Michiko, May 26, 2015 | Royal HatsThere is something serenely beautiful about the Empress’ choice of white for these types of memorial events, isn’t there?

Photos from The Asahi Shimbun and The Asahi Shimbun via Getty

Princess Hanako Visits Hiroshima

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Earlier this week, Princess Hanako spent two days in Hiroshima Prefecture. For her visits on Tuesdayto the Atomic Bomb Memorial and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, she repeated her white brimless hat with straight sides, domed crown and wide band wrapped diagonally around the perimeter of the piece. We often see royals in black or grey ensembles for these kinds of memorial visits and I thought her all white ensemble was a respectfully nice change. The unusual shape of this hat makes it a continued favourite for me.

Princess Hanako, May 19, 2015 | Royal Hats

Designer: Unknown
Previously Worn: July 14, 2014

The following day, the Imperial Princess, who is Honorary President of Japan Ikebana Art Association, opened an exhibition on this form of traditional Japanese flower arrangement.  For this, she wore a new suit and matching hat in pale green silk. The hat featured a domed brown and mushroom brim which looked to be embellished with the same blue lace (or embroidery?) as the peplum on her tunic. Matching hats and suits can be a tricky thing to get right but the beautiful texture of this embellishment makes me think that this combination was a success. When it comes to royal hats, green is one of the least popular colours but for this event, I think it was a stroke of genius- this shade of green looks great on Princess Hanako and perfectly complimented the flowers at the exhibition.

Princess Hanako, May 19, 2015 | Royal HatsDesigner: Unknown
Previously Worn: I believe this hat is new

I am clearly a fan of these two hats worn by Princess Hanako this week in Hiroshima. What do you think?

Photos from Hiroshima Peace Media Center and Yomiuri

Imperial Couple Visit Ishikawa

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Last Saturday, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan kicked off a three day visit to Ishikawa Prefecture. For this first day, which saw them travel via express high speed train and visit a specialized school for children with disabilities in  Nonoichi City, the Empress wore an interesting new hat. On first glance, it might look like another one of her grey saucers but if you look closely, you’ll notice it is a double saucer with the bottom layer embroidered in a fishnet pattern of silver thread. The double saucer is a different take on the Empress’ go-to millinery shape and while the difference is subtle, it’s nice to see even a bit of play and experiment with her hats.

Empress Michiko, May 16, 2015 | Royal HatsEmpress Michiko, May 16, 2015 | Royal HatsEmpress Michiko, May 16, 2015 | Royal Hats

Designer: unknown. Likely a milliner at Akio Hirata
Previously Worn: I believe this hat is new

 

On Sunday  the Imperial couple attended a large Tree Planting Festival in Komatsu City and visited a manufacturer of traditional Kutani Pottery. For these events, Empress Michiko repeated a large white saucer hat trimmed with a slate blue bow in the same shade as her suit.

Empress Michiko, May 17, 2015 | Royal Hats Empress Michiko, May 16, 2015 | Royal Hats Empress Michiko, May 16, 2015 | Royal Hats

Designer: Likely Akio Hirata
Previously Worn: May 26, 2013

 

On Monday, the Emperor and Empress concluded their visit to the region with a stop at the newly restored Kanazawa Castle and its famous Kenroku-en garden. Empress Michiko repeated her navy and gold suit and matching navy saucer hat trimmed with flat, folded bow. While the ensemble does feel a bit ‘retro airline hostess’, the use of colour and gold trim is such a departure for the Empress (and such a welcome change from her go-to grey) that I’m not going to  complain.

Empress Michiko, May 17, 2015 | Royal Hats Empress Michiko, May 17, 2015 | Royal Hats

Designer: unknown. Likely a milliner at Akio Hirata
Previously Worn: April 9, 2015

Photos from Sankei, Sankei, Asahi, Sankei, Asahi and Getty as indicated