Category Archives: Japan

Takamado Princess Opened Tablewear Festival

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On Saturday, Princess Hisako of Takamado officially opened the 2015 Japanese Tableware Festival at the Tokyo Dome. For this exhibition, she topped her vibrant blue suit with a small, coordinating hat. I’m not usually a fan of such flat hats but the scale worked well for Hisako and the petite brim was a lovely change from the many brimless hats we see on members of the Imperial royal family. The colour was wonderful on Princess Hisako and made this hat seem like a big improvement over what she wore to this event last year. It’s a winner for me- what do you think?

Princess Hisako of Takamado, February 1, 2015 | Royal Hats

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: I believe this is a new hat

Photo from Yomiuri

Hitachi Couple Open Ski Championship

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On Sunday, Prince Masahito and Princess Hanako of Hitachi attended the opening ceremony of the 65th Chubu Region Ski Championships. For this event in Nanto City, Princess Hanko wore a black wool hat with square crown and rolled brim, trimmed with a trio of feathers on the side. Hanako’s hats are usually more interesting than other millinery worn by the Imperial ladies and this piece, paired with her smart pumpkin hued suit, made for an elegantly stylish ensemble. What did you think of this hat?

Princess Hanako, January 25, 2015 | Royal HatsPrincess Hanako, January 25, 2015 | Royal Hats

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: I believe this hat is new

Photo from Asahi and Hokkoku Shimbun

Princess Kiko Opens Hospital

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Princess Kiko officially opened the new Aiiku Hospital in Tokyo today. The hospital, which is administered by the Association for Maternal/Child Health & Welfare of which Princess Kiko is president, originally opened in 1938. For this event, Princess Kiko wore a new fabric covered bumper hat which coordinated with her lime suit. It is not the most exciting of royal hats but Kiko certainly wears this bright shade of green well, doesn’t she?

Princess Kiko, January 21, 2015 | Royal Hats

Photo from Asahi

Imperial Couple Remember Hanshin Tragedy

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Last Friday and Saturday, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko traveled to the Hyōgo Prefecture to take part in commemoration events for the 20th anniversary of the Great Hanshin earthquake (in 1995, Southern Hyōgo Prefecture was severely devastated by a magnitude 7.2  earthquake which destroyed major parts of the cities of Kobe,  Awaji, Takarazuka and Osaka and claimed the lives of 6,500 people). On Friday, the Imperial couple visited Hyōgo Emergency Medical Center in Kobe City. Empress Michiko’s petite saucer hat was made of the same finely patterned black and white check as her suit. This hat was trimmed with a half-black-half-checked bow and small white blossoms- trims I thought fell rather flat

Empress Michiko, January 16, 2015 | Royal Hats

Designer: likely Akio Hirata
Previously Worn: I believe this hat is new

On Saturday, the Imperial couple attended a formal remembrance service. Empress Michiko repeated her dove grey rimmed saucer hat with dark grey puffed bow for this event. I really like the dimension and contrast this bow lends to this hat.

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

Designer: likely Akio Hirata
Previously Worn: April 11, 2014; December 6, 2013; December 2, 2013

Photos from Sankei, Sankei and Asahi

Princess Kako Pays Respect to Royal Ancestors

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Princess Kako visited the royal mausoleums in Hachioji City yesterday. On this visit, she conducted a traditional royal rite of passage and reported her recent coming of age to the spirits of her ancestors Emperor Taisho, Empress Teimei, Emperor Showa, and Empress Kojun, all who were laid to rest at this place. For this somber event, Princess Kako wore a black bowler style hat with slightly upturned brim and a band around the crown.

Princess Kako, January 15, 2015 | Royal Hats      Princess Kako, January 15, 2015 | Royal Hats

Photos from Asahi