Category Archives: Japan

Catching Up With the Mikasa Princesses

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Princess Yoko and Princess Akiko of Mikasa were busy over the weekend with a number of engagements. On Saturday, Princess Yoko of Mikasa officially opened the 2014 Tokyo Motor Festival. For this event, she topped her grey pant suit (something we don’t often see on a Japanese royal princess) with a grey wool fedora hat. I want so badly to love this hat but I’m afraid the overly exaggerated pinches on this fedora make it look like someone sat on it – never a good look for a royal hat.

Princess Yoko, October 11, 2014 | Royal Hats

Princess Yoko, October 11, 2014 | Royal Hats

On Sunday, Princess Yoko attended the 40th anniversary of the Nagai Disabled Sports Center in Osaka. Her hat, a small black bowler with curled brim, was embellished with looks like a flat bow in the same teal green as the trim on her dress. I’m afraid the ensemble is a little too Charlie-Chaplin-meets-air-hostess for me to like it although it is nice to see a member of the Imperial family in even tiny flashes of vibrant colour.

Princess Yoko, October 12, 2014 | Royal Hats

Also on Sunday, Yoko’s sister Princess Akiko attended the 12th annual Road Race in Okayama (she’s seated at the right in the photo below). She wore what looks to be a black large scale fedora hat for this event. While it’s impossible to evaluate this hat with such a poor view, it seems like a chic and very fun choice, doesn’t it?

Princess Akiko, October 12, 2014 | Royal Hats

Photos from Sankei; Asahi and Mynavi

Imperial Couple Visit Nagasaki

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Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko began a two day visit to Nagasaki yesterday. The Imperial Couple began their trip with a visit to Peace Park in Nagasaki City (the park commemorating the atomic bombing of the Nagasaki on August 9, 1945). Empress Michiko repeated her white petite saucer hat trimmed with white, black and hound’s tooth checked bows coordinating with her suit. We seldom see Michiko in strong colours or patterns and she wears this checked print well. The black and white ensemble also struck just the right note for the memorial visit.

Empress Michiko, October 11, 2014 | Royal Hats Empress Michiko, October 11, 2014 | Royal Hats

Designer: I suspect Akio Hirata
Previously Worn: November 29, 2013

Later in the day, the Emperpor and Empress attended the opening ceremony of The 69th National Sports Festival in Isahaya City. Empress Michiko repeated a pale blue saucer hat trimmed with folded bow. The rim of the saucer hat was upturned around the back, giving a slight variation on the Empress’ signature hat style. Blue is a great colour for her, don’t you think?

Empress Michiko, October 11, 2014 | Royal Hats

Designer: Again, I suspect Akio Hirata
Previously Worn: May 16, 2012

Photos from Sankei and Asahi Shimbun

Mikasa Princess Attends Self Defence Awards

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Last Monday, Princess Akiko of Mikasa attended the 12th annual People’s Self-Defense Officials Awards honoring distinguished service in the Self-Defence Forces of Japan. For this ceremony, Princess Akiko wore a smart cream hat with square crown and short, upturned brim trimmed in a mint band to match her suit.

Princess Akiko, October 6, 2014 | Royal Hats

Designer: unknown
Previously Worn: November 7, 2013

Photo from Sankei

Japanese Royal Wedding Reception

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While they were formally married in a traditional ceremony at at the Izumo Taisha grand shrine on Sunday, Noriko Senge (formerly Princess Noriko of Takamado) and her new husband Kunimaro celebrated their wedding with a reception this evening at Hotel New Otani in Tokyo. For this celebration, Mrs. Senge added a diamond brooch to her hair and small diamond earrings. She looks tranquilly beautiful, doesn’t she?

Noriko Senge, October 8, 2014 | Royal HatsFor more information and photos (including pictures of the Crown Prince and Princess who attended the reception) see this post at The Imperial Family Of Japan blog. 

Japanese Royals Received by Mexican President

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Prince Akishino and Princess Kiko of Japan continued their trip to Mexico today in the nation’s capital where they were received by President Enrique Pena Nieto during a welcoming ceremony at the National Palace. Princess Kiko wore a hat I do not believe we have seen her wear before.Made of the same butter yellow patterned silk as her suit, this bowler style hat featured a rolled brim and squared crown wrapped in a triple pleated band of silk. This is a hat shape we have seen before on Princess Kikoand I think I might have liked this particular hat more if it had been made of straw instead of the same fabric as her suit.

Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images Embed from Getty Images

Later in the day, Prince Akishino laid a wreath at the Altar a la Patria monument at Chapultepec Park. Princess Kiko topped her white suit with a very smart navy and white hat. I prefer the shape of this hat – the larger scale of the navy brim works well on petite Kiko. Two toned hats can be very difficult to balance but this one is hit the mark and is easily, my favourite of the day. What do you think of Princess Kiko’s two hats in Mexico City today?

Princess Kiko, October 6, 2014 | Royal Hats

Photos from Getty as indicated and Reuters via Japan Today