Category Archives: Japan

Imperial Royal Couple in Okinawa

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Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko of Japan visited Okinawa yesterday and today to take part in several World War II commemoration events.  Yesterday, they visited the National Okinawa Cemetery for War Dear in Itoman City. Empress Michiko wore a large white saucer hat trimmed with a spray of greenery and yellow sea hibiscus, a flower native to the Okinawa area.

Empress Michiko, June 26, 2014 | Royal HatsDesigner: I suspect Akio Hirata
Previously Worn: I believe this is a new hat

Today, the Imperial couple visited the Tsushima Maru memorial in Naha City to commemorate the 70th anniversary of this tragedy. Empress Michiko wore a small white saucer hat trimmed with a flat bow in the same mocha coloured fabric that trimmed her suit.

Empress Michiko, June 27, 2014 | Royal Hats Empress Michiko, June 27, 2014 | Royal Hats

Designer: Again, my guess is Akio Hirata
Previously Worn: I believe this is also a new hat

Between the two hats, I prefer the larger size of the first saucer and find the choice of  a local flower to trim it a very thoughtful touch. What do you think of these two white saucer hats?

Photos from The Imperial Family of Japan

Japanese Imperial Couple Open Health Congress

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Last Tuesday, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko attended the opening ceremony of the 6th International Congress of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists held in Yokohama City. Empress Michiko surprised me with a small black saucer hat trimmed with a bronze flecked bow. The bow echoed the collar of Michiko’s jacket and from a distance, looked like bronze leaves on her hat. It’s a rather avant garde look for the Empress and (I can’t believe I’m saying this) quite edgy for her. Since I’m a big fan of millinery experiments, I’m going to give this a thumbs up. What do you think of this very modern ensemble?

Empress Michiko, June 17, 2014 | Royal Hats 2Empress Michiko, June 17, 2014 | Royal Hats

Designer: my guess is Akio Hirata
Previously Worn: I believe this is a new hat

Photos from The Imperial Family of Japan

Imperial Family Bid Farewell to Prince Katsura

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A Memoriam

Members of the Imperial Royal family attended the funeral of Prince Yoshihito of Katsura on June 17. Prince Katsura, who was a first cousin of Emperor Akihito, passed away on June 8, 2014 at the age of 66 years old. In attendance were Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako (below, right) and Princess Kiko, Prince Fumihito, and their daughter Princess Mako (below, left).

Imperial Royal Family, June 17, 2014 | Royal Hats

Princess Akiko of Mikasa, niece of Prince Katsura, carried out the role of chief mourner and accompanied her grieving grandparents. Tragically, Prince Takihito and Princess Yuriko (below, right) have now lost all three of their sons.

Princess Akiko of Takamado, June 17, 2014 | Royal Hats Princess Yuriko of Mikasa and Princess Akiko of Takamado, June 17, 2014 | Royal Hats

The Akishino Princesses (below, left) and Crown Princess Masako joined the other Imperial ladies in demure bowler, pillbox or or bumper hats with a full veil.

 Princess Mako and Princess Kiko of Akishino, June 17, 2014 | Royal Hats  Crown Princess Masako, June 17, 2014 | Royal Hats

Photos from The Imperial Family of Japan and Kazuhiro Nogi via Getty

Imperial Family Pay Condolence Visits

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 A Memoriam

While we have been enjoying the frilly and fun hats of Ascot, the Japanese royal family have quietly gone through the rituals of saying goodbye to a family member. On June 8, 2014, Emperor Akihito’s first cousin, Prince Yoshihito of Katsura passed away at the age of 66 years old. In the following days, members of the Imperial family called to pay condolence visits. Some of these family members wore hats.

Crown Princess Masako, June 8, 2014 | Royal Hats

Crown Prince Naruhito and Crown Princess Masako, June 8, 2014

Princess Hisako, June 8, 2014 | Royal Hats

Princess Hisako of Takamado, sister-in-law to Prince Katsura, June 8, 2014

Empress Michiko, June 9, 2014 | Royal HatsEmpress Michiko, June 9, 2014 | Royal Hats 

Empress Michiko, June 9, 2014

On June 15, the Imperial couple paid another condolence visit to the Akasaka Estate Residence. Again, Empress Michiko wore a small, elegant black hat.

Empress Michiko, June 15, 2014 | Royal Hats   Empress Michiko, June 15, 2014 | Royal Hats

That same day, other members of the Imperial Royal Family attended a wake for Prince Katsura. As is expected, many wore small black hats.

Princess Kiko, June 15, 2014 | Royal Hats  Princess Mako, June 15, 2014 | Royal Hats

Princess Kiko of Akishino and her daughter, Princess Mako of Akishino

Princess Hanako, June 15, 2014 | Royal Hats Princess Hisako, June 15, 2014 | Royal Hats

Princess Hanako of Hitachi and Princess Hisako of Takamado 

Photos from The Imperial Family of Japan; Asahi Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun and Asahi Shimbun via Getty

Imperial Royals Celebrate Aristocratic Club

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Last Tuesday, June 3, 2014, members of the Imperial Royal family attended the 140th anniversary of Kasumi Kaikan, a aristocratic club in Japan.  Empress Michiko looked to be wearing a large saucer hat with swirled ribbon in the same pale silver as her beautiful suit. While I would love to see a more detailed picture of this hat, it appears to be a winner. Princess Kiko repeated her white pillbox hat (I think this hat has a bow at the back, seen here during its last outing). The slightly rounded edges on this hat work well for Kiko’s angular features, although the all white ensemble is rather boring. Perhaps this club has a secret dress code?

Empress Michiko, June 3, 2014 | Royal Hats Princess Kiko, June 3, 2014 | Royal Hats

Designer: unknown. I suspect Empress Michiko’s hat was designed by Akio Hirata
Previously Worn (Empress Michiko): I believe this hat is new
Previously Worn (Princess Kiko): August 18, 2013

Photos from The Imperial Family of Japan